A Range of Clean Burning Biomass Stoves launched in India By Envirofit and Shell Foundation (UK)

Contributed by Dr Karabi Dutta
10 July 2008

Shell Foundation India supports the project as part of their Breathing Space Program. There aim is to see 10 million stoves sold in five countries in the next five years.

In an endeavour to address the increasing and harmful impact of indoor air pollution in India, Envirofit has launched a range of clean burning biomass cook stoves in the country.

Photo: Sify news website
Photo: Sify news website
These stoves have been developed as a result of a partnership between Envirofit and Shell Foundation (UK) initially launched in 2007, claim to reduce toxic emissions by as much as 80 per cent, while using 50 per cent less fuel and reducing cooking cycle time by 40 per cent. These are a result of over five years of research and testing in coordination with internationally recognised academic institutions such as Colorado State University.

Available in 5 models and priced between Rs 500 and Rs 2000, the cook stoves with single and multi-pot options are currently available in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and will be introduced in other states across the country in a phased manner. The stoves have already successfully undergone pilot testing in Chitradurga and Dharmapuri.

Photo: Sify news website
Photo: Sify news website
Certified under the most stringent environmental testing conditions in the USA, the cook stoves are currently awaiting BIS certification.

The company is also in discussion with financing institutions for low cost financing options to provide additional options for families to buy the stoves. Envirofit cookstoves are now being made available in over 700 villages in Karnataka and 300 villages in Tamil Nadu through a multi-tier distribution strategy The current channel network in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu includes dealers, distributors, village entrepreneurs as well as not for profit organizations like MYRADA, the Tamil Nadu Foundation and the Cauvery Women's Federation.

Envirofit is targeting over 40 channel partners throughout the two states with roughly 600 outlets planned by the end of 2008.

Ajit Abraham, Shell Foundation India has said that they are proud to be partnered with Envirofit International to introduce clean-burning wood stove technology in India while employing the first market-based business model,"



This is the summary of the article,'Now, biomass cooking stoves in India', written by a Sify Correspondent, published in Sify.com on the 9th of July,2008.



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