Greenway Grameen Infra is transforming rural cooking in India by offering cleaner, safer alternatives to traditional chulhas, protecting millions from harmful carbon emissions and improving health outcomes.

A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that nearly 500 million people in India have no access to clean cooking solutions. It also highlights that 41% of the population, including individuals like Lalita, depend on biomass for cooking, leading to around 340 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to nearly 13% of Indias total greenhouse gas emissions.

The smoke from fuel used for cooking and heating is a major contributor to indoor air pollution in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 3.2 million people die prematurely every year due to illnesses linked to household air pollution caused by the incomplete combustion of solid fuels and kerosene used for cooking.

Although LPG stoves are considered a long-term solution, the Governments Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has not been fully adopted by many, as the cost of refills remains unaffordable for a large section of the population.

In 2008, Ankit Mathur, freshly graduated from IIM-Ahmedabad, encountered this issue and decided to find a solution alongside his co-founder Neha Juneja. With a keen interest in sustainability, they were working on renewable energy projects in rural areas and were confronted with the everyday challenges faced by women in these communities.

They noticed that most womens time was consumed either cooking or gathering firewood for cooking. After observing the heavy smoke emitted from traditional chulhas and understanding its harmful health impacts, the duo was motivated to develop a cleaner cooking solution.

After a year of research across various states and numerous prototypes, they created a solution: a single-burner, high-efficiency cook stove designed to reduce smoke. Since 2012, Greenway Grameen Infra has sold over three million cookstoves and is committed to making clean cooking accessible to every corner of rural India.

Driving Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals

After completing his MBA at IIM-Ahmedabad, while many of his classmates pursued lucrative corporate careers, Ankit chose to take an unconventional path. He reached out to his Delhi College of Engineering classmate, Neha Juneja, and together, they decided to focus on the sustainability sector.

They began by assisting organizations in managing their carbon initiatives. During this period, they visited several villages and realized there were very few products focused on cleaner cooking solutions.

Ankit recalls, “I saw that most households in the villages we visited were using rudimentary devices to cook. They were burning biomass to prepare their meals. The energy efficiency of biomass is very low. For instance, when you burn 1,000 kilojoules, only one-tenth is transferred to the cookstove, making it highly wasteful.”

Motivated by this, they decided to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly cookstove to ease the burden on women in rural areas. In 2010, Ankit, a mechanical engineer, and Neha, an industrial engineer, joined forces with Shoeb Kazi, a chemical engineer, to design an energy-efficient smart stove. The trio worked diligently on building a prototype, conducting tests, and engaging in direct sales within villages.

“It was a conscious decision,” says Ankit, reflecting on their decision to price the stoves at Rs 500. “We wanted to see how much people were willing to pay.”

In 2010 and 2011, they traveled extensively, visiting over 30 villages across 10 districts in five states: Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. During this period, they built more than 10 prototypes, gathering valuable feedback from consumers. This process of iteration and refinement eventually led them to develop the successful Greenway Smart Stove.

Ankit explains that the Greenway Smart Stove features a patented air regulation technology that improves combustion, enhancing efficiency and reducing smoke. The company offers two models: the Smart Stove, priced at Rs 2,199, and the Jumbo Stove, priced at Rs 3,499, designed for larger families.

Revolutionizing Rural Cooking: The Impact of Greenway Smart Stove

The Greenway Smart Stove features a single burner and is compatible with various solid biomass fuels, such as wood, dry dung, crop waste, coconut waste, and bamboo. It is portable, reduces cooking time, and offers significant fuel savings, helping users save up to 65% of fuel and cut down smoke emissions by 70%.

Ankit highlights the stoves key benefits: "This product eliminates carbon monoxide from burning firewood. It reduces smoke emissions, making it safer for kitchen use. Unlike traditional chulhas, which can cause burns, this stove lowers the risk of burns for women and children and reduces eye irritation."

In terms of environmental impact, each Greenway Smart Stove reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least two tonnes annually. For women, it not only improves health by reducing smoke exposure but also significantly decreases cooking time.

Lalita, a user for the past year and a half, shares her experience: "I used to wake up at 4 am, but now I wake up at 5 am thanks to the stove. Cooking is faster, and the stove requires much less cleaning since ash doesnt fall on the floor. The firewood that used to last just two days now lasts 15 to 20 days. Food is prepared on time, and the time spent collecting firewood has also reduced, giving me more time for my family."

Another satisfied customer, Geeta Rahangdale, shares her experience: "The stove has made the kitchen cooler and uses very little firewood. I also appreciate that I can cook food anywhere in the house, which adds a lot of convenience."

In 2013, Greenway Grameen Infra clinched first place at the prestigious Tata Social Enterprise Challenge at IIM Calcutta. Co-founder and CEO Neha Juneja received the award from Mr. Viresh Oberoi, recognizing their impactful work in promoting cleaner cooking solutions.

Empowering Rural Women: Making Clean Cooking Accessible Through Financial Partnerships

Although the product received positive feedback, Ankit realized that many potential customers were not purchasing the stove. He discovered that while women were mainly responsible for cooking in rural areas, they often lacked the financial resources or bargaining power to buy the stove upfront.

In response, Ankit and his team began partnering with rural retail shops, micro-finance institutions, self-help groups, and local NGOs. They developed financial packages through these channels, enabling women to purchase the stoves through easy installments. Additionally, they collaborated with corporate companies to subsidize the cost of the products.

Ankit explains, “The outreach across villages happens through the Greenway team. We have implementation and financing partners to ensure that every woman can benefit from cleaner cooking. We are also working with sustainability partners to provide carbon offsets.”

Expanding Reach: Greenway Grameen Infras Vision for 20 Million Households by 2030

Initially, Greenway Grameen Infra saw higher sales in South India, where gender equality is more prevalent and women have greater access to cash. However, over time, their reach expanded nationwide. To date, the company has sold over three million stoves across India, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

With a factory in Vadodara, Gujarat, and a workforce of over 500 employees, Ankit vision is clear: "I want to keep designing products that improve the quality of life for rural households. I also aspire to reach more customers at an affordable price point." His goal is to reach 20 million households by 2030.

Edited by Gayathri