Factors Affecting the Adoption of Fuel Efficient Stoves among Rural Households in Borena Woreda: North central Ethiopia

Abstract

Descriptive survey research has been employed to assess the major factors which affect the adoption of fuel efficient stoves in the rural households around Borena-Saynt national park. Data were collected from 248 randomly selected household heads using a structured questionnaire and from 22 purposively selected key informants for FGD. The findings revealed that the prominent source of fuel is wood followed by animal dung and shrubs; the sources are own plantation and kebelle forests. Modern energy efficient stoves are not common in the study area due to financial constraint (66.7%) and lack of access (25.9%). Chi-square test and binary logistic regression model results reveal that income level of the household head (χ2 = 64.914, N= 248, df =1, V=0.512, OR=23.7 and p < .001) and educational level of husband (χ2 = 60.514, N=232, df =1, V=0.511,OR=11.3 and p < .001) are found to be the major variables which increases the propensity of stove adoption. The independent t-test shows statistically significant difference (t=12.063, N=248, df =246, p<0.001) in the average time spent weekly by stove users and non-users. One sample t-test result reveal that local residents do have positive attitude on the benefits of fuel efficient stoves. Both governmental and non-governmental organizations have to take their part in making stoves available to users. Concerned bodies should also see fuel-wood plantation projects in degraded lands and agro-forestry practices as well as biogas energy as another option.