A study on agricultural residues as a substitute to fire wood in Kenya: a review on major crops

Abstract

For Kenya, the use of fire wood is enormous that the exploitation of other energy resources such as biomass from agricultural residues is little known. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate agricultural residues estimates for use as a substitute to fire wood and charcoal in Kenya. This solution is in line to the urgent needs of finding the alternative for the depleting fossil fuels. The study found that Kenya agricultural residue energy potential is about 187,000 TJ which enough to substitute fire wood in most regions if converted with suitable technologies. If all the available agricultural residues are used as substitution fuel for fire wood, Kenya could reinstate the 10% forest cover as recommended from the current 1.7%.