Agriculture residues as fuel in the third world

In parts of the Third World where fuelwood is most scarce, millions of families have been forced to turn to other lower grade fuels such as straw, crop stalks and animal dung.

This report is the first detailed attempt to document the use of agricultural residues as a domestic fuel in the Third World - and to analyse the possible negative impact on the soil due to

reduced organic recycling.

Using examples from Asia, Africa and Latin America, the report pieces together a picture of the vital and complex role that agricultural residues play at the village level. It presents data on agricultural residue production, their properties as fuels, and their alternative uses.

The importance of organic recycling in maintaining soil fertility is discussed at length, and the areas likely to be at greatest risk from agricultural residue burning are identified.

"Agricultural Residus as Fuel in the Third World" is the fourth in a seces of tact nical sports produced as part of the Earthscan
Energy information Programme. Intended both for policy makers and the scientific and technical community, the series
aims at providing reliable and practically-oriented assessments of key energy issues in the Third World.

This report was produced in collaboration with The Beijer Institute, part of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It was funded by the Swedish International Development Authority. The Earthscan Energy Information Programme also receives financial support from the Netherlands Foreign Ministry, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, and the United States Agency for International Development.