Opinion, satisfaction level and suggestions regarding improved biomass stoves in rural households of Dharwad and Vijayapur Districts, Karnataka

A study in rural households of one village each of Dharwad and Vijayapur districts, Karnataka was conducted during the year 2016–17 to analyze the socio-economic status of the rural women and to know their opinion about usage and suggestions regarding improved biomass stove. The sample of the study comprised 120 rural women. The personaal interview method was used for collecting the data. The findings revealed that in both the villages majority of the rural women belonged to middle age group. Majority of the women were illiterate, agricultural labourers with medium income. Majority of the women belonged to small farmer category. Majority of them opined that improved biomass stove reduced time consumption and fuel consumption, lead to less smoke in the kitchen, more cleanliness and no fire coming out of the stove. It also enabled faster cooking. Based on the usage pattern and characteristics of stove majority of the women suggested that there should be subsidy on the stove, wider space to feed fuelwood in the stove and it should be brought within the reach of all the families.