375

I M P R O V E D C O O K I N G STOVES IN D E V E L O P I N G C O U N T R I E S

Improved Cooking Stoves in Developing Countries. Gerald Foley and Patricia Moss. Earthscan, London, 1983. US$20.

Improved cooking stoves are being widely promoted in the developing countries. With active support from international agencies, stove programs are being incorporated into national energy strategies in many countries. This report, published in 1983 by Earthscan, an International Institute for Environment and Development, provides a fairly comprehensive discussion about cooking stoves in developing countries. It describes different types of stoves and fuels being used in many countries and gives a relationship between the socio-economic status and the choice of using a particular stove and fuel within a given community . In addition, the report provides some historical background on the use of fire by mankind in early days.

The report is divided into four sections, with an historical appendix. Part 1 presents the main conclusion of the study. These are elaborated in the General Appraisal, which outlines the role and potential impact of stove programs, the problems to be overcome in implementing them, and the lessons that have been learnt from the experience to date.

The remainder of the report provides the detailed evidence and reasoning upon which Part 1 is based. Part 2 describes the context in which stove programs are implemented and the implications for program design. Part 3 provides technical background material on combustion, fuels and stove design. Part 4 deals with stove programs in practice in various countries. It contains a summary account of the main programs to date, and the data available to fuel savings. It examines the potential impact of improve stoves on deforestation, and discusses the question of dissemination strategies, particularly the role of subsidies. Finally, the appendix endeavours to fit the adoption of stoves into long term historical perspective.

The authors have provided a good overview of the cooking stoves in developing countries. The report clearly outlines the potential advantages and the problems associated with the introduction of new designs of cooking stoves in these countries. The report, however, does not include an economic analysis for the new proposed designs of cooking stoves. Of particular interest would have been information regarding the production cost and the expected life of these stoves. Despite its shortfalls, the book should be required reading for energy and rural development policy makers, and would be a good reference for anyone interested in saving fuels for cooking.

G H U L A M S A R W A R Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A & M University

College Station, TX 77843-2117, U.S.A.