Improved cookstoves help cameroonian village cut wood use in half while protecting forests

In the village of Bang in North Cameroon, a simple technology is making a big difference for both families and forests. When heavy monsoon rains recently prevented 50-something mother Astha Pabami from collecting firewood, she wasn’t worried—her new improved cookstove meant she had plenty of wood stacked behind her hut to last through the storm.

Pabami is one of 250 women in Bang now using efficient cookstoves distributed through a project by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) with European Union support. The stoves, which resemble traditional ovens with separate openings for wood and pots, represent a major upgrade from the open three-stone fires villagers previously used for cooking.

The impact has been dramatic. “The open fireside consumes more firewood and dirties our pots, and we inhale smoke,” Pabami explained to Mongabay during their visit. “We could use about 8-10 pieces of wood to cook a meal; presently, a maximum of four pieces of wood is enough.” This 50-60% reduction in wood consumption means women spend less time collecting firewood during dry seasons and can build larger reserves for emergencies.

The project addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: reducing pressure on Cameroon’s forests while improving health outcomes for families. By burning cleaner and more efficiently, the stoves produce less harmful smoke while requiring significantly less wood—a win-win solution that demonstrates how appropriate technology can create meaningful environmental and social benefits in rural communities.