Ecobreves – NICARAGUA: Eco-Ovens Get a Boost

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MANAGUA, Oct 11 2003 (IPS) - Pro-Leña, a Honduran non-governmental organization, has launched a campaign in Nicaragua to increase sales of the so-called eco-ovens, which reduce the consumption of firewood and air pollution from fires. With financing from the World Bank, Pro-Leña trained staff from four cement block factories to market the eco-oven, Marlen Buitrago, director of the organization, told Tierramérica.

Pro-Leña introduced the eco-ovens in Honduras in 1998, improving them the next year in Nicaragua, where 3,500 have already been sold, and another 400 are to be made this year, at prices of 35 to 120 dollars.

Sales are targeted at microenterprises that process and sell food, but also at women in rural areas, where consumption of firewood is highest.

According to Nicaragua's National Energy Commission, 74.2 percent of primary energy in the country comes from firewood.