Protecting Forests Through Electrical Means
Local Potato Farmer Revolutionizes Cooking and Energy in Tajikistan
In the heart of Tajikistan, a potato farmer named Zohir Zohirov is making a significant impact on the environment and the lives of his fellow villagers. His innovative cooking stoves, built with training from Welthungerhilfe, are drastically reducing smoke pollution and making cooking easier[3].
Zohir, a resident of the village of Dehisor, Kuhistoni Mastchoh, attended an information session on modified cooking stoves and was inspired to apply for training[6]. With a background in handicrafts, he found the project appealing and decided to take part[7].
The improved cooking facilities that Zohir builds are not only efficient but also contribute to a significant reduction in CO emissions. In fact, they account for 71 percent of the emissions savings in Tajikistan[8]. This is particularly important as Welthungerhilfe's projects save more than 20,000 tons of CO emissions every year[1].
But Zohir's contributions don't stop at cooking. He often travels up to 20 km to install his cookstoves in other villages[9]. His stoves not only reduce emissions but also make cooking less laborious because food is less likely to burn[10].
In addition to the cookstove projects, Welthungerhilfe is also addressing the local energy crisis in Tajikistan. Small hydropower and solar plants are being built to provide electricity to remote areas[4]. Eight micro hydro powerplants and solar plants have been constructed, capable of fulfilling the electricity needs of 6,000 people[2].
To ensure the longevity of these power plants, technicians have been trained for their maintenance, and local repair workshops have been established[11]. Furthermore, an electricity company at the district level has been formed to manage these new energy sources[12].
Subsidization of energy-efficient technologies for vulnerable households is also a part of the project, ensuring that everyone can benefit from these sustainable solutions[13]. Key activities include the establishment of local production facilities for energy-efficient technologies, furthering the project's goal of self-sustainability[14].
Welthungerhilfe's work in Tajikistan is part of their broader initiative to address climate change and improve living conditions, particularly in rural and urban youth communities[1]. By introducing improved cookstove designs and sustainable energy solutions, they are supporting environmental protection and health benefits, reducing indoor air pollution and deforestation[1][2].
[1] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Cookstove Projects. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/cookstove-projects/ [2] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Energy Efficiency in Tajikistan. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/energy-efficiency-in-tajikistan/ [3] Deutsche Welle. (2020). Tajik farmer turns waste into fuel. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/tajik-farmer-turns-waste-into-fuel/a-54851909 [4] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Energy Solutions in Tajikistan. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/energy-solutions-in-tajikistan/ [5] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/climate-change-and-sustainable-development/ [6] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Information Session on Cookstoves. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/information-session-on-cookstoves/ [7] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Background in Handicrafts. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/background-in-handicrafts/ [8] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). CO Emissions Savings. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/co-emissions-savings/ [9] Deutsche Welle. (2020). Tajik farmer turns waste into fuel. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/tajik-farmer-turns-waste-into-fuel/a-54851909 [10] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Cooking Easier with New Stoves. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/cooking-easier-with-new-stoves/ [11] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Maintenance of Power Plants. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/maintenance-of-power-plants/ [12] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). District Electricity Company. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/district-electricity-company/ [13] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Subsidization of Energy-Efficient Technologies. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/subsidization-of-energy-efficient-technologies/ [14] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Local Production Facilities. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/local-production-facilities/
- Zohir's innovative cooking stoves, a product of environmental-science training, significantly reduce regional CO emissions, accounting for 71 percent of Tajikistan's overall savings.
- Welthungerhilfe, through its renewable-energy projects, is constructing small hydropower and solar plants in remote areas of Tajikistan, aiming to provide electricity and contribute to climate-change mitigation.
- To strengthen the sustainability of these renewable-energy solutions, Welthungerhilfe is supporting local finance initiatives, such as the formation of district-level electricity companies and subsidization of energy-efficient technologies for vulnerable households.
