Social Evaluation of an Improved Cookstove Intervention Program in Nepal - A Case Study

Abstract

Transition to new technology is a gradual and challenging process in developing countries like
Nepal. Shift to clean cooking in one of the prime focus, wherein national and international
organizations are executing Improved Cookstoves (ICS) distribution programs. ICS are cleaner and
more efficient options for cooking in rural areas of Nepal where electricity distribution is
compromised. Despite technological advancements, due to limited consideration of social aspects,
the beneficiaries are not using the distributed models as expected. This paper evaluates a case of an
ICS dissemination program — particularly rocket and metallic stoves — conducted in 2019 through
an international non-governmental organization based on social aspects. 163 out of 500 household
beneficiaries were taken for the study from Baglung and Parbat districts of Nepal, wherein the
concentration of distributed ICS were high. Survey and Key Informant Interviews were conducted
to gather information on transition to clean cooking, infrastructural development, demography,
health and psychology, institutional involvement, resource availability, political aspects and gender
inclusion, community status, financial support and cultural aspect. The study found that 55.21% of
the sampled households had the distributed ICS with them. Only 14.44% of them relied solely on
ICS for cooking, and the rest depended majorly on Traditional Cookstoves (TCS) and Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (LPG). 42.2% of ICS users had been using LPG as their alternative cooking solution.
The distribution region lacked nearby ICS manufacturing facility. Some of the participants reported
respiratory health issues and eye problems which could be due to use of TCS. Study also showed
resistance among users for transition to ICS. Issues regarding fuelwood accessibility, operation and
safety of ICS, food preference, and gender inclusion during distribution were minimal. It is
concluded that authorities should conduct prior user study to refine their target households.
Infrastructural development, institutional involvement and local stakeholder participation in
decision making should be considered to promote the transition. This study recommends regular
monitoring of grassroots level outcomes beyond distribution programs.