5.1. Traditional biomass energy
Traditional biomass energy is usually defined as fuel wood
and charcoal, agricultural residues, and animal dung. Because
agriculture is the dominant economic activity in rural areas
where most users of traditional biomass fuels reside, much “traditional”
energy is associated with agriculture—in essence, it
recycles agricultural byproducts (animal dung and crop residues,
especially) to useful energy for the household. Where available,
non-agricultural sources of energy—such as forests—also con