Taraba AFAN Flags off Sales of Climate Friendly Stoves.
By Mohammed Tikka
The All Farmers Association of Nigerian,Taraba State in collaboration with Atmosfair Climate and Sustainability Ltd have commenced the sales of climate friendly clean cook stove as part of effort to curb deforestation and over dependence on firewood.
Speaking during the flag off of the newly introduced device, known as Climate Change Save 80 Clean Cook Stove, in Jalingo, the Chairperson of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Taraba State, Hajiya Amina Laraba Wambai, said the organization is non – political, non – profit, and non – religious with the sole responsibilities of coordinating farming activities amongst farmers, liaising with the government and other well meaning individuals like this, who would wish to invest on Agriculture.
She said as important as the brand of stove is, only 12 states in Nigeria including Taraba and Bauchi in the Northeast, were among the State selected for the Pilot program.
While noting that women were very critical to achieving success in the climate change campaign, she called on them to embrace the Atmosfair Save80 clean cook stoves, which come with two stainless pots and a wonder box, and can reduce the menace of deforestation by as much as 80 percent.
“This clean cook stove curbs smoke inhalation and uses less firewood. “It also cooks fast, is easy to use, and also helps in great savings, and the device can last between 10 and 15 years,” she said.
However, she called on the State Government under the leadership of Dr. Agbu Kefas, to patronise the product as its features are in line with the policy trust of his administration, even outline some challenges like lack of office accommodation, mobility, and funds that are facing the organization and appeal to governor to come to their aid.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Alh. Dr. Aminu Jauro Hassan, who is also the Executive Chairman of Jalingo Local Government Council, thanked the organisers of the occasion and called on other organizations to emulate what AFAN is doing for the good people of Taraba State, he further emphasized on the important of fighting against climate change
“There is no better time for us to stand up in the fight against climate change which has continued to destroy lives, livelihoods and our environment than now. And one of the ways we can achieve that is by supporting organization like this that provides sustainable alternatives to cooking to curb dependence on our forests,” he said.
In his contribution the resource person at the occasion, Dr. Julius Philip Nyani, of the Taraba State University, harped on the benefits of the product to the environment, adding that its environmental impact, and its social benefits, as the improved stove is much more energy efficient, it reduces the biomass demand and helps combat deforestation.
Our Correspondent reports that apart from helping to conserve ecosystems, as well as protecting biodiversity, the product also indirectly reduces exposure to erosion and limits the consequences of extreme climatic events.
The product also gives women greater autonomy by saving them time that would otherwise be spent gathering wood, burning it and preparing meals.
