As mentioned above the measure of the adoption behaviour is based on the observation of ten related activities, which are taken to represent and / or support this behaviour. Table 1 presents the comparative readings of each of the activities that form the stove adoption behaviour scale. As can be noted there are three activities that relate to the use of alternative fuel stoves, gas, solar and saw dust. These were applied in the original survey that included an urban segment in the sample for which these alternative fuels were an option and had been promoted. However, in the rural context (second survey sample) these three alternative fuel options are not considered appropriate. In all three of these activities no significant change was noted and as would have been expected, the respective measures of adoption and were very negative. These particular behaviours were therefore felt inappropriate given the rural population this analysis is based on and would tend to reduce the overall reading of improved stove adoption. When removed, no change is observed in the overall adoption reading regarding the comparison of the first and second survey samples. However, there is a marked difference when the ‘with and without’ extension and the attendance of stove demo comparisons are observed (Table 1). This adjusted measure of behaviour is used in the following analysis.
The result of removing the three inappropriate alternative fuels options results in a positive adoption reading regarding those that have been involved in the focused extension intervention. This increase in the adoption behaviour is based on significant positive changes regarding: the acquisition of improved stoves, their regular use, the greater application of alternative stoves to suit fuel availability and a greater tendency to repair damaged clay stoves. The greatest positive movement occurred in the first two activities mentioned (Table 1).
A significantly larger number of those targeted by the extension initiative had also seen the improved stoves demonstrated. However, demonstration of the stoves alone does not appear to have as great an impact on adoption behaviour as the more integrated extension approach – i.e. the differences between those exposed to extension and those who attended demonstrations. The integrated nature of the extension programme focusing on the broader issues of sustainable natural resource management rather than a stoves ‘only’ focus, may explain this positive difference, i.e. equating the issue of environmental degradation with fuel wood-loss.
It should also be noted that the adoption behaviour of the first survey sample and those not exposed to extension or demonstrations in the second sample was notably more negative. This suggests that over the 3-year period between the first and second surveys, other factors have led to an increase in improved stove use, i.e. from (-6.65 to -3.19). However, this does not detract from the significantly positive impact of the targeted extension that achieved a change from (-3.19 to +0.79) regarding improved stove adoption.
5.3 Intention
The stated intention to use improved stoves in future was more strongly expressed by those exposed to extension and those who had attended stove demonstrations (Figures 5 and 7). The intention to use improved stoves was positive in the first survey sample, those without exposure to the focused extension and those not exposed to stove demonstrations. Moreover, in all the comparative groups the intention has been strengthened but most markedly amongst those targeted by the ‘focused’ extension intervention.
The strengthened positive intention suggests that the adoption process will continue to improve if critical barriers are addressed.
The correlation of stated intent with behaviour could also give an indication of the propensity for positive or negative change in future adoption behaviour. Where there is no correlation between the intention and behaviour and the intention is more strongly stated than the current incidence of the behaviour, a state of dissonance may exist, which may encourage future adoption. Where the intention and behaviour are equally matched regarding strength and strongly correlated, the achievement of further improvement in the rate of adoption may be more difficult to achieve without further directed education (extension). However, it is recognised that where strong intentions are not matched by corresponding behaviour, this may be due to contextual issues acting as barriers outside the perceived control of the subjects. One such example is the availability of improved stoves on the local market. -It is felt that this concern refers to the improved coal pots.
Figure 2: Improved Stove Adoption (Before) First Survey:
n=62
Figure 3: Improved Stove Adoption (After): Second Survey:
n=230
Figure 4: Improved Stove Adoption ‘Without’ Extension
Intervention: n=118
Figure 5: Improved Stove Adoption ‘With’ Extension Intervention: n=112
Figure 6: Improved Stove Adoption: ‘Not’ Attended Stove
Demonstrations: n=72
Figure 7: Improved Stove Adoption: Attended Stove Demonstrations: n=158