Women and Biomass for a Sustainable Energy Development in Rural Regions: Socioeconomic Discussion
Abstract
A variety of fuel sources like coal, kerosine, cooking gas, electricity, firewood, dung cakes and agricultural wastes are used for cooking purposes. But due to rising costs and short supplies of gas, kerosene and electricity, women resort to greater use of biomass sources – that is, firewood, coal, dung cakes and agricultural wastes - for cooking. Thus, women have the assurance and dependence on biomass fuels as sustainable energy that do not fail them when other sources of energy fail. The aim of this paper is to examine the level of reliability of biomass fuels as sustainable energy. The objectives employed include detail analysis of various biomass fuels and their sustainability factors. Thirty women each, in three typical Nigeria states were approached and the strength of their dependence were evaluated via a questionnaire survey. The findings of the study reveal that reliance on biomass fuels is high because of their affordability, availability and efficiency.
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