Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
In its efforts to address climate change challenges in the state, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Taraba State chapter, has commenced the sale of the Save 80 clean cooking stove.
In her address at the occasion which took place at the premises of Taraba Agriculture Development Program TADP, the state Chairperson of the association, Hajiya Laraba Amina Abdul (WAMBAI), highlighted the importance of the initiative during the flagging-off ceremony in Jalingo.
She said that the Save 80 cooking stove initiative aims to reduce the effects of climate change caused by pollution from human and industrial activities, as well as deforestation.
“This initiative is a partnership between AFAN’s National Headquarters and ATMOSFAIR CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY LTD.
“In seeking collaboration with investors, the AFAN National Headquarters in Abuja partnered with ATMOSFAIR CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY LTD, based in Kano, to launch this brand of cooking stove called Save 80. This stove is designed to mitigate the effects of climate change.” she said.
She explained that only 12 states in Nigeria were selected as pilot states for this initiative, with Taraba and Bauchi States being among the selected states in the northeast.
“As important as this brand of stove is, only 12 states in Nigeria were selected, Taraba and Bauchi were amongst the states in the North East.
She pointed out the advantages of the stove to include: Climate-friendly, using a minimal amount of charcoal, Users will also be trained on how to produce briquettes from waste products such as stubble, wood dust from carpenter shops, and sawmills, It saves money, requiring only a small amount of charcoal or firewood as an energy source. It saves up to 80% of firewood/charcoal compared to conventional stoves, is less smoky, and cooks any kind of food much faster.”
The stove is also durable, lasting over 15 years, and comes with accessories including two aluminum pots and one wonder box, which preserves the heat of cooked foods and maintains the coldness of ice blocks for nearly 44 hours.
Hajiya Laraba Abdul, urged Tarabans to patronize this product, especially now that there is a law banning charcoal.
She commended Governor Kefas for his passion for good governance and appealed for government support, noting that the product’s features align with the policy thrust of Kefas’ administration.
She pointed out challenges facing the association to include, lack of mobility to enhance its operations, Office Accommodation and Funds and request the state government to assist the organization in its services to farmers.
In his remarks, the Jalingo local government chairman and chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Aminu Jauro, appreciated the state Chairperson of the association for her initiative, adding that it will go a long way in reducing climate change.
“This initiative is keying to the five finger agenda of Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas in deforestation, Agriculture and empowerment.
“This stove will reduce eye problem to our Wives because of smokes,” he said.
He said that he has constructed a Women Development Center, where they will be trained in various skills for self reliance.
In his paper titled: COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE, Dr. Julius Bulus of Department of Forestry and Wildlife management, Taraba State University, pointed out that 3.2 billion people still depends on firewood and charcoal for cooking, leading to releasing of carbon into the atmosphere thereby causing global warming.
“By using the stove, you are saving 80 percent of what you need to cook your food.
“States and Local Governments can collaborate and sensitized people on the importance of using the stove.
“We should encourage people to buy the stove for it is very easy to use,” he said.