Medziphema, June 10 (MExN): A new biomass based cooking stove named ‘BioC-I’ designed and prototype developed at SASRD, Nagaland University, Medziphema was inaugurated on June 8. The design and its prototype were developed by Dr. A. K. Sahu, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, SASRD, Nagaland University, Medziphema. The design of the cooking stove was accepted by National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad for prototype development and its efficiency testing. Inaugurating the stove, the chief guest, Professor R. C. Gupta, Dean, SASRD, Nagaland University stressed on the energy need for cooking purpose as one of the important dimension of sustainable development. He considered energy being a major cause of conflict world over and highlighted the use of cheap and abundant dried biomass as a way to energy security supported by environmentally safe equipments and practices. The inaugural programme was attended by the faculty, non-teaching staff and students of the campus. Welcome speech was delivered by Dr. Amod Sharma, Head of Department, Department of Agricultural Economics. Invocation prayer was given by Dr. R. Nakhro, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics following which a short speech was delivered by the innovator Dr. A. K. Sahu elaborating on the idea, design and working principle of the cooking stove. He also stated about fuel efficiency and reduction of harmful gases and soot emission from the stove thereby helping rural women folk in safe and healthy cooking. The programme ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. R. Nakhro, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics.
