Adoption of innovation technology in the face of efficient energy use: A case of improved biomass stoves in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Given that locally developed innovation technology can foster sustainable growth and development, this study assessed the factors that underpinned the choice of improved biomass stoves among rural households in Kwara South, Nigeria. The study involved the use of primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were collected with the use of a well-structured questionnaire. A three-stage random sampling technique was used for the selection of one hundred and fifty (150) household respondents which represent the sample size used in this study. The secondary data were collected from FAO Forestry Department report. Descriptive statistic and a five-point Likert type scale were used for the data analysis. The results revealed that easiness to purchase fuel and the ability of the fuel to cook quickly were the major factors underlying the choice of cooking stove and fuel used among rural households in the study area. The result also revealed that the clay charcoal stove consumed 17.86MJ/meal while clay lining metal charcoal stove and the local metal charcoal stove consumed 22.48MJ and 36.96MJ per meal, respectively. Improving access to and cost implications of the biomass fuel and stove can enhance the adoption of improved biomass stoves and this will help in sustainable use of biomass energy resources.

Keywords:

• biomass stove
• charcoal
• energy
• fuelwood
• innovation technology

Acknowledgements

The Authors are grateful to the board of management the Pan African University for funding this research; Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, Prof. Charles O. Olatubara of Pan African University Life and Earth Science Institute University of Ibaban; and Dr (Mrs) M. O. Abdulraheem, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria for providing the technical support. We also appreciate the GLOBELICS Team and African Innovation Summit for their comments and suggestions during the presentation of this paper at the 2018 conference.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Pan African University Board: [Grant Number 2014/2016].