Potential of agro-waste briquetting for domestic heating and cooking as an environmental management strategy in Rushinga, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Deforestation and pollution are externalities produced by agriculture and natural resources exploitation economic activities. The rate of deforestation in Zimbabwe is very high relative to other SADC countries. This is due land clearance for agriculture, fuel-wood for processing of agriculture produce and fuel wood for domestic heating. With agriculture being the main source of rural livelihoods, substantial amounts of crop residue remain behind after harvesting and post-harvest processes. The practice of burning crop residue in the fields and homesteads is common and results in the dissipation of energy into the environment. To this end, this study seeks to ascertain the possibility of producing biomass briquettes from agro-residue for domestic heating and cooking as an environmental management strategy. The pre-survey established the baseline conditions and agro-residues available in the study area. Groundnut shells were selected as the briquetting feedstock while paper was used as a binder. A manual press was then used to mould briquette at the ratio of 3:1 (paper:biomass). Formed briquettes were distributed in the community after which a postsurvey was conducted to evaluate the willingness to pay for and use of briquettes. Results showed that the communities were willing to pay $10 per month on briquettes, thus a binder costing less that USD$10 would be ideal for briquetting.