Factors Affecting Adoption of Harari Fuel-Efficient Stoves among Rural Households in Dire Dawa Administration, Ethiopia

Abstract

Developing countries attempt different programs and projects to promote and disseminate improved cookstoves with health, economic, and environmental benefits. However, it is also important to understand the factors affecting people's decisions to adopt fuel-efficient cookstoves. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting the adoption of Harari fuel-efficient stoves among rural households in Dire Dawa Administration Ethiopia. The study used a mixed approach of both quantitative and qualitative research methods to achieve objectives. Data was collected from 152 sample households randomly selected from the study area (55=adopters and 97=non-adopters) from four rural kebeles (villages). The collected data through household surveys was analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, one sample t-test, and binary logistic regression using Stata 16SE software. One sample t‐test result revealed that residents do have a positive attitude toward the benefits of fuel-efficient stoves with statistical significance at P< 0.001 probability. Logistic regression results revealed that access to extension services, awareness of fuel-efficient stoves, kitchen service, and education level of household head were found to be significant in determining the probability of fuel-efficient stove adoption at P< 0.05 level of significance. The study also revealed that the main barriers to the adoption of the Harari fuel-efficient cookstove were a lack of awareness about the benefits of the stove and the size of the household kitchen. However, the study also found a low adoption rate of the Harari fuel-efficient cookstove in the study area.  This is due to a variety of factors, such as culture, socioeconomic, institutional, financial, and resource endowments. Thus, policymakers should prioritize the variables indicated above to encourage the adoption of Harari fuel-efficient stoves in the study area as well as in other parts of Ethiopia.