Cookinations: Mechanisms to Decouple Wood Production and Food Preparation in Sub-Urban Areas

Abstract In Senegal, the share of households that cook using primarily biomass fuels accounts for over 70%. Although the use of these fuels is more frequent in rural areas, there are still households in sub-urban areas that rely on charcoal. Beyond the promotion of subsidized LPG, domestic biogas and improved cookstoves are tested in some rural and sub-urban areas of the country. The results of the experiences compiled in this chapter show that these mechanisms are effective in decoupling biomass use and food preparation in sub-urban areas. Improved cookstoves can contribute to reducing biomass use by up to 45%. Domestic biogas digesters can replace biomass fuels for cooking in rural communities.