--By Gaurav Aryal

 

Madhukar KC, one of the winners of ‘Surya Nepal Asha Social Entrepreneurship Awards 2013’ created the ingenious wood fire stove following inspiration from the technology used by goldsmiths to melt gold. When KC saw goldsmiths melting gold by blowing oil lamp, he had conceived the idea of using similar technology in cooking stoves.

 

An SLC graduate, KC researched for two years to bring out the first prototype of wood fire stove. Originally a resident of Pyuthan, he had shifted to Chitwan when he first introduced his innovation to the world. The trial that started on a coal stove eventually came out as a successful product in the 33rd attempt. However by this time, he had switched from coal to biomass stove, a more suitable and sustainable option for Nepal. It has been 13 years since he first started working on it.

 

KC was the first incubate at the Small and Cottage Industries Promotion Centre. Though the centre’s incubation services do not include financial support, the incubate identity provided him access to authorities when needed. 

 

In 2009, National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST) recognized this innovation by awarding him. The same year he secured patent rights of the product and is presently planning to acquire international patent rights.

 

The Product

KC’s stove, besides firewood, can use biomass such as pine leaves, seeds of Schima Wallichi (Chilaune) tree, seeds of Hog Plum (Lapsi) and other bio wastages, that generally remain unused, as fuel source. A candy factory in Parbat entirely uses Hog Plum seeds to fuel the stove. Hotels in Naubise have also started using the stove professionally. 

 

Elaborating on the working principle of the stove, KC says that once the heat reaches to a certain limit in the stove, the carbon produced from the fuel gets burned down. Due to this the stove produces very little smoke and yet provides strong flame. This mechanism makes it fuel efficient, environment and user friendly as well for it ensures smoke free kitchen. 

 

This unique portable stove uses two watt computer fan for air supply. The insulated version of the stove does not heat the room as it is covered by mud, specially designed for the Terai region and does not heats the room. The fixed stoves installed in rural households also have similar mechanism and provide better flames while emitting lower smoke. KC says that these stoves can be customised to fit in the requirements of an individual household.

 

He sees prospects of developing fuel-efficient LPG stoves targeting urban clients. He claims that such stove can save significant amount of gas. Along with its present usages, KC says that this technology could be used in crematorium as well. 

 

Going International

KC sees prospects of selling this improved stove in the international market also, especially in the developing countries of South Asia, Africa and South America where biomass is used as fuel. And to this end, he is presently trying to acquire international patent, a necessity to enter the international market. 

 

Mass Production

CB Urja Pvt Ltd has acquired the rights for commercial production and marketing of these stoves and burners from KC. It has started the production since mid-May 2014 from its Balaju Industrial Estate based factory. KC as well as Bijay Raj Ghimire, Promoter of CB Urja Pvt Ltd opine that around 3.8 million Nepali  households that use traditional firewood stoves could be catered with this burner-based improved and modern stove.

 

Though the production of portable stoves has begun only recently, the mud stoves are presently used by 2500 households of Pyuthan, Kalikot, Lamjung, Tanahu, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Ilam and Dolakha districts among others. Despite sizeable demand for these stoves, lack of manpower and regular power supply has hindered the company from meeting them, says Ghimire. He is hopeful of meeting the existing demands after the mass production began.

 

While agreeing that the product needs widespread promotion and advertising, he finds media very costly for his venture. He opines that Surya Nepal, the organiser of Surya Nepal Asha Social Entrepreneurship Awards 2013, should also support him and other social entrepreneurs like him promoting their products, for a certain time frame. “If Surya Nepal assists our publicity and ad campaigns, a lot of people across the country would be informed of our product. This would help us grow and go global,” says KC.

 

 

Employment Generation

KC and Ghimire say that the stove can generate employment for 10,000 people across the country while producing stoves enough to supply to Rs 3.8 million households.  They have plans to mobilise one technician in each of the almost 4000 VDCs for construction of stoves. “A large corporate house cannot promise to create that much employment, but we are dedicated to realising this objective,” adding that they look forward to more social interactions.