eCooking training and capacity building with urban poor households of Madanpur Khadar, New Delhi
The eCooking training session with urban poor households in Madanpur Khadar area of Delhi was conducted for the migrant workers and daily wage labourers of the area. Organized by Cornerstone Knowledge Builders in collaboration with the Modern Energy Cooking Services Programme (MECS) and Finovista, this initiative aimed to address the pressing need for sustainable cooking solutions in this densely populated urban area. With 63 participants, it showcased electric cooking’s benefits through interactive demos and discussions, boosting confidence in sustainable cooking.
The choice of Madanpur Khadar for this training was strategic. It is a vibrant community filled with hardworking families from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, who often face significant challenges with traditional cooking methods. These include health problems from indoor air pollution and the high cost of LPG and firewood. The dense living conditions and limited access to clean cooking options made Madanpur Khadar the perfect place to showcase the benefits of eCooking. Focusing on the migrant workers in Madanpur Khadar was essential because they are a resilient yet vulnerable group. Many live on tight budgets and struggle to afford consistent cooking fuel. Our interactive training session aimed to introduce them to cost-effective, health-promoting electric cooking appliances. By empowering these families with the knowledge and practical skills to improve their daily lives, we hope to create a ripple effect where the benefits of eCooking extend beyond Madanpur Khadar.
Mostly women from diverse backgrounds attended, with only six using induction cooktops occasionally and fifteen still using firewood, while others relied on LPG costing Rs. 830 per cylinder. Challenges included smoke from firewood and LPG refill difficulties, impacting health due to indoor air pollution in densely populated areas. The workshop showcased eCooking technologies like induction cooktops and electric pressure cookers, demonstrating features such as automated cooking and pre-set menus. Participants engaged in hands-on demonstrations but refrained from adopting these appliances for primary cooking due to safety concerns and frequent power cuts, impacting their confidence in electricity consumption and appliance capacity.
Participants engaged in a live cooking session using eCooking appliances, experiencing first-hand the ease and efficiency of these technologies. They were impressed by the comfortable, flameless cooking process that didn’t require continuous monitoring. Cooking rice in an electric pressure cooker and preparing vegetables and boiled eggs on an induction cooktop within less than an hour boosted their confidence in adopting electric cooking appliances for daily use.
The session identified critical areas for successful adoption of clean cooking technologies, including a knowledge gap on eCooking utensils and appliance safety, necessitating ongoing education. Financial constraints were highlighted, underscoring the need for subsidies or microfinancing options. Addressing frequent power cuts and respecting cultural cooking preferences, especially in winter, are crucial for integrating eCooking into community habits and fostering acceptance.
Moving forward, maintaining momentum through continuous community engagement, follow-up sessions, and empowering local champions is crucial. Suppliers can tap into the market with affordable, durable eCooking products and enhance consumer trust through the BEE’s Star Labelling Scheme. Educational campaigns and financial support like subsidies and microfinancing will increase accessibility. Improving electricity reliability and exploring renewable energy are crucial. Tailoring promotions to respect traditional practices and establishing feedback loops will refine the program. Community-led solutions like cooperatives can cut costs and build collective responsibility. Highlighting economic empowerment through eCooking will drive adoption, creating a healthier, sustainable cooking environment.