On July 25th , 2025, The Rumphi District Agriculture hosted a community engagement event at Baliro seed bank, Zolokele Section, Katowe Extension Planning Area (EPA) under the theme “Transforming the Agriculture Sector through Irrigation and Cathment Conservation for Improved Food Security and Economic prosperity ” The event brought together various stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), government officials, and local community members, to share insights and showcase interventions aimed at promoting sustainable land and water management practices. Among others 1) enhancing Biodiversity and Eco-System Services: 2) Improving water availability and quality: 3) Supporting Climate Agriculture and Livelihood.
As part of our commitment to sustainable development and improved household health, we presented our intervention: The Njasko Cleaner Cook stove. This innovation was designed to reduce indoor air pollution, minimize fuel consumption, and ease the burden of firewood collection—particularly for women and Girls.
The demonstration of the Njasko cleaner cook stove sparked great interest and enthusiasm among attendees. Local leaders, CSOs representatives, and government officials alike expressed admiration for the practicality and impact of the design. Community members were particularly excited with several individuals requesting that the stoves be constructed in their own households.
One community member (Ruth Chisi) remarked, “This stove is not just clean, it is helping me to save time and protects our trees as it uses few firewood. Please bring it to other homes too.” Such feedback not only validated the relevance of our intervention but also reinforced the growing demand for eco-friendly technologies in rural communities.
Ruth Chisi cooking on Njasko cleaner cook stove
The event marked a major step forward in integrating conservation practices with household-level innovations. The positive reception from the community and stakeholders highlights the potential for scale-up and deeper community engagement. With continued collaboration, Green Vision Environmental Organization (GREVEO) aim to expand access to Njasko cleaner cook stoves and contribute meaningfully to both environmental conservation and improved rural livelihoods.