| African energy experts meet in Arusha | Send to a friend |
| Monday, 08 November 2010 02:01 |
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Arusha: Energy experts from various African states will meet here from tomorrow to discuss ways to promote charcoal and fuelwood alternatives in the form of briquettes. Briquettes are said to be excellent alternatives to wood or charcoal as fuel, thus minimising the use of firewood which has led to massive tree felling and environmental degradation. The six-day conference at the Olasiti Lodge on the outskirts of Arusha has been sponsored by the Legacy Foundation of Oregon in the US through a grant from the McKnight Foundation of Minnesota. According to reliable sources, the conference is part of a three-year project to support environmental conservation in East Africa through the start and long-term establishment of biomass briquette small businesses. Delegates to the meeting, mainly briquette producers, will be drawn from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Chad, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Africa and Botswana. “They will share ideas on further developing successful biomass briquette businesses in their own areas,” according to a press release sent to The Citizen by the organisers. An official in the organising team said biomass briquette producers could make a good living through training others in briquette production or sale of briquettes in their local areas. During the conference, there will be a demonstration of various local techniques of biomass briquette production and biomass briquette technologies being used in Africa. Most importantly, the producers will have an opportunity to establish an African Briquette Producers Network. The network would be a good source of information on briquette training, production problem solving and business start-up information. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
