Some families in Madagascar and Malawi earn money by selling Biochar. Traditionally, this is produced by digging a funnel-shaped hole in the ground and burning wood or whole logs to produce Biochar. As a result, a lot of carbon monoxide is emitted and trees are cut down for combustion.
The innovative Nafagaz stoves, which Naturefund has made available to some families in Madagascar and Malawi, can help against the excessive emission of carbon monoxide. The cookers, which are available in various designs, make it possible to produce Biochar while cooking. Branches and logs are inserted into a side opening of the Nafagaz cooker, while the upper surface provides space for a pot. In the combustion chamber of the cooker, the wood is processed into Biochar, because wood materials such as lignin and cellulose are only partially burned. At the same time the heat of the burning process can be used to prepare food. Less or no carbon monoxide is emitted into the air and fewer trees have to be felled because small branches are sufficient for the burning process, .
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The operating instructions for the Nafagaz cookers in German:
