Morogoro women lead the way in eco-friendly energy solutions

Morogoro. Kagera Village in Lubungo Ward, Morogoro Region, is undergoing a remarkable transformation fuelled by heightened awareness of environmental conservation and the adoption of alternative energy sources.

The women of this village, once burdened by the economic and health impacts of deforestation and traditional charcoal burning, have now turned to producing eco-friendly alternative charcoal.

This innovative initiative not only addresses the pressing challenges they once faced but also paves the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the entire community.

The Tupendane UWT Kagera Group leader, Ms Mwajuma Rajabu, explains that they once worked day and night to fell trees and produce charcoal and firewood, which resulted in numerous health complications, including tuberculosis.

“We used to stay out at night in the forests burning charcoal. The smoke and dust troubled us for a long time,” says Ms Rajabu, illustrating the difficulties ahead of them.

In 2022, they received training on alternative charcoal production through the USEMINI project initiated by the non-governmental organisation HELVETAS Tanzania.

This training made the women aware of the importance of environmental conservation and alternative production methods.

“We noticed the problem of wildfires during land preparation and the consequences of deforestation, so we decided to educate ourselves on how to use plant residues to make alternative charcoal,” says HELVETAS representative, Mr Dalali Venga.

“We learnt that indiscriminate tree cutting has severe consequences, not only for the environment but also for our health. Therefore, we resolved to initiate alternative charcoal production,” echoes Ms Rajabu.

Production process

Ms Rajabu says the education and support provided to the 16-women member group enabled them to start producing charcoal using locally available raw materials previously burnt or discarded on the fields.

She says utilised raw materials include pigeon peas, sugarcane and maize stalks.

These women now employ new technology and better equipment in their production by mixing various eco-friendly raw materials.

“We use a special furnace to burn residues with minimal smoke,” she says.

Furthermore, Ms Rajabu says the group that started the initiative in 2023 has significantly improved the lives of its members.

Individual members can now produce 400 kilogrammes of alternative charcoal daily, up from 50 kilogrammes previously produced.

Alternative charcoal production benefits

Alternative charcoal offers numerous benefits to both producers and the community at large.

In addition to providing clean energy, which reduces the reliance on firewood and traditional charcoal, it promotes environmental cleanliness and prevents health hazards caused by smoke and dust.

According to Ms Rajabu, alternative charcoal ignites quickly and lasts longer, thus facilitating cooking and conserving family resources.

“We use alternative charcoal for cooking, and we don’t experience the smoke as it used to be. We are now more comfortable than before and our health has significantly improved,” Ms Rajabu states.

Additionally, the production of alternative charcoal has provided group members with a more stable source of income. In the past, their earnings were tied to the sale of traditional charcoal, which was both resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. Now, by producing and selling alternative charcoal, they benefit from a more sustainable livelihood. Ms Rajabu notes that a kilogramme of alternative charcoal sells for between Sh1,000 and Sh1,500, with daily sales reaching up to 50 to 100 kilogrammes.

Challenges

However, despite these successes, producers of alternative charcoal still face challenges.

Ms Rajabu notes that sourcing raw materials has become difficult due to farmers’ reluctance to discard plant residues, which they now use as manure.

“The government and other stakeholders should assist us in acquiring raw materials. Currently, the costs of raw materials have significantly increased because farmers have realised the value of residues and are now selling at high prices,” explains Mr Rajabu.

She also highlights a key challenge—the limited availability of modern equipment for alternative charcoal production.

Currently, the group relies on just two machines, which she suggests should be increased to boost their production capacity and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly charcoal.

Govt, stakeholders’ support

The government recognises efforts made by this group and has promised support in sourcing equipment and other resources.

Morogoro District Commissioner, Dr. Julius Ningu, emphasises that women are being provided with access to loans and equipment to enhance their productivity. He further explains that in four divisions within the district, over 200 members of youth and women’s groups are actively involved in alternative charcoal production.

They are being trained to become ambassadors for promoting clean and alternative energy sources, particularly during village assemblies.

“Our council is committed to ensuring they receive the needed loans and has already allocated Sh500 million to support these groups while also helping them to find markets,” he adds.

Other stakeholders, including HELVETAS, have successfully trained over 3,000 women and youth from 150 groups across four Morogoro districts: Mvomero, Morogoro, Malinyi, and Ulanga.

Community contribution

As the community learns about alternative charcoal production, these women are taking extra steps to motivate others by educating colleagues about the dangers of indiscriminate tree cutting and the importance of environmental conservation.

“We encourage others to stop cutting trees and instead engage in alternative charcoal production, as we recognise that this is a crucial step in helping the community understand the importance of the environment and sustainable production,” says Ms Rajabu.

Group members also collaborate with local schools to educate children about the significance of environmental conservation and the use of alternative energy sources.

Group members aim to expand their production and reach larger markets to benefit more people.

“We want to have the capacity to produce enough alternative charcoal, not only for the local market but also beyond the Morogoro region,” Mwajuma expresses hope.

Despite the challenges, the women are optimistic about achieving significant success in alternative charcoal production.

They aspire to witness changes that bring hope to their communities and future generations.

By continuing to inspire others, they are laying a solid foundation for sustainable development in the area.

Any comment on this story supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation can be shared via WhatsApp: 0765864917