Energy
GERF is deeply committed to promoting enviromentally friendly and sustainable energy solutions that empower rural communties while protecting the environment. Our approach involves active engagement with local communities and close collaborations with stakeholders to mitigate the enviromental impact of various energy sources:- Including solar panels, biogas systems and improved clean cooking technologies.
Combating Deforestation Through Sustainable Energy
One of our core mssions is to reduce the widespread cutting of trees and reliance on charcoal for cooking, which contributes signicantly to deforestation and air pollution. To tackle this we offer practicle, clean energy alternatives that are not only safer for environment but also improve the health and well being of the people using them.
In districts like Morogoro and Pwani, GERF has made notable progress by promoting the adoption of clean cooking energy solutions. These innovation have led to tangible benefits, including better air quality, improved health outcomes- especially for women and children and a rreduced carbon footprint in the region.
Promoting Eco- Friendly Cooking Technologies
To further our efforts in addressing the enviromental imapct of traditional charcoal use, GERF has developed and distributed improved cooking stoves and charcoal briquettes that are both eco friendly and smoke free. These stoves are designed to be affordable, efficient and accessible to all, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to conventional cooking methods.
The charcoal briquettes are made from agricultural waste, helping reduce reliance on unsustainable wood sources while offering a reliable fuel option for everyday use. Our goal is to reach and impact at least 1000 people in the rural areas of Morogoro and Pwani, where charcoal production and use remain a widespread. Through this initiative we are not only reducing harmful emmissions but also promoting healthier homes and sustainable livelihoods.
Pilot Program on Empowering Farmers Through the Productive Use of Solar Energy (PUSE)
One of our proudest achievements to date is the PUSE capacity-building training conduted in November 2024, which brought together 30 farmers and entrepreneurs in Morogoro. This initiative aimed to enhance the productivity and sustainability of smallholder farmers through the use of Solar-powered technologies in the dairy, livestock and acriculture sectors.
Through this program, participants were introduced to solar-powered tools susch as:
- Milk chillers and freezers- to preserve milk quality and reduce spoilage
- Water pumps- for efficient and sustainable irrigation
- Cold rooms- for better post- harvest storage and reduced food waste
These solutions directly address key rural challenges such as post-harvest losses, unreliable energy access and low productivity. by tapping into the power of solar energy, farmers can now store produce longer, access water more easily and ensure healthier livestock- all of which contribute to higher income and improved resilience to climate change.
Looking ahead, GERF aims to reach over 10000 farmers across rural Tanzania through the PUSE program. We focus in regions where access to electriciy is scarce but the potential of agriculture and livestock productivity is high.By deploying clean, affordable and reliable energy technologies, we are transforming rural livelihoods- one household at a time.
GERF believes that real change happens through partnership and innovation. We invite local leaders, private sector players, development partners and environmental champions to build a greener, healthier and more sustanable future for Tanzania.
