Teacher shares knowledge on biomass briquette making

By Penlope Sikazwe

A teacher of Agricultural Science in Kabwe Town’s Kasanda Mine area has trained over 50 people in biomass briquette making in both Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi since 2022.

This is in an effort to reduce reliance on charcoal in her community, which has led to the cutting down of hundreds of trees.

Elina Chanda, 28, says it is important that Zambians turn to alternative sources of energy that do not degrade the environment.

Ms. Chanda hopes to train over 5,000 women in Central Province in her quest to preserve the forests.

Briquettes are blocks of compressed materials, often used as fuel. Common types include charcoal, coal, and biomass briquettes. They’re a convenient and efficient way to burn fuel for heat or cooking.