Likelihood of Adopting Briquette Technology in Abundance of Competitive Energy Sources: A Case Study of Morogoro Urban and Rural Districts, Tanzania

Abstract

Firewood and charcoal are the primary energy resources in many developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the unstainable collection and use of these resources negatively impact the environment. Equally, using briquettes as green energy resources can address the energy shortage and conserves the environment. However, the information on people’s preference to use briquettes instead of other alternative energy sources is scarce. Furthermore, studies demonstrating the briquette technology preferences and adoption to prospective users, including youth and women in urban and rural areas, are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted in the Morogoro district to (1) characterise the respondents’ demographic issues useful for evaluation of people's preferences, (2) assess the preference for briquette fuels, particularly for youth and women, and (3) evaluate the extent of using the briquettes as sources of energy as compared to other alternative sources of energy. The household survey involved 330 respondents in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of Morogoro. The areas were chosen to represent the Tanzania sceneries. Besides, supplementary key informants’ interviews involved village leaders, charcoal retailers and other people with knowledge of briquette technology. The results show that over 95% of respondents preferred to use briquette as an alternative energy source and expressed their willingness to engage in the briquette business. Additionally, the study shows low use of briquettes compared to other energy sources like charcoal and firewood in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between men and women in their willingness to join the briquette business (p-value =0.517). Therefore, a few people are aware of briquette technology. This study recommends increasing the awareness of briquette technology through training youths and women on briquette technology and insisting on the availability of briquette products and stoves. In addition, assessing the factors hindering the briquettes from being a hundred per cent preferred by people is a point of research interest.