People in Senior Chief Malemia in Nsanje have touted the use of energy saver stoves, saying they will reduce dependency on charcoal and save Matandwe Forest Reserve which is facing deforestation.
In an interview, Senior Chief Malemia commended The Hunger Project Malawi for introducing the stoves.
He said: “The stoves only need three pieces of wood to cook meals and heat water.
“The use of the stoves will reduce the demand for charcoal which will save Matandwe Forest Reserve.”
Malemia urged his subjects to embrace the stoves, saying they are environmentally friendly.
“However, I want to encourage people to plant more trees in the forest when government launches the new tree-planting season this December,” he said.
One of the community members, Vaita Magalasi, said the stoves are smarter and save time.
She said: “Previously, we required more pieces of wood to cook beans, but now only three pieces are enough.
“This will help us save more trees, thereby protecting the environment.”
Another community member, Ruth Harry, said The Hunger Project Malawi encouraged them to have their own woodlots.
Department of Nutrition and HIV and Aids deputy director Blessings Muwalo commended The Hunger Project Malawi for introducing energy saver stoves and implementing a nutrition project in the district.
“Stunting in Nsanje has reduced from 42 percent to 37 percent this year,” he said.
The Hunger Project Malawi nutrition specialist Grace Takomana said the organisation was pleased that people have embraced the stoves.
She said: “We like the mindset change from depending on charcoal to the stoves.
“In fact, 12 500 households are using the stoves in the district.”
The Hunger Project Malawi is implementing Scaling Up Nutrition Project with funding from KFW International through the Unicef.
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