Soil degradation is the decline in soil condition caused by its improper use or poor management, usually for agricultural, industrial or urban purposes. It is a serious environmental problem. Soils are a fundamental natural resource, and are the basis for all terrestrial life. Avoiding soil degradation is crucial to our well-being. Soil degradation is the physical, chemical and biological decline in soil quality. It can be the loss of organic matter, decline in soil fertility, and structural condition, erosion, adverse changes in salinity, acidity or alkalinity, and the effects of toxic chemicals, pollutants or excessive flooding.

80% of Malawi?s population is dependent on subsistence agriculture. Every year, soil erosion reduces agricultural productivity by 6% putting less food on the table for many households. A 2011 Poverty-Environment Initiative study estimated that if soil erosion would be tackled, 1.88 million people could have been lifted out of poverty between 2005 and 2015. In an effort to determine the best approach to combat soil erosion, the Government of Malawi in collaboration with the UNDP-UN Environment Poverty-Environment Initiative and the Food and Agriculture Organization has undertaken a soil loss assessment to update the 1992 soil loss baseline.

The study found that the average national soil loss rates in 2014 were 29 ton per hectare per year. The problem of soil erosion is severest in the northern part of the country and in particular in three districts, Nkhata Bay, Mulanje and Phalombe. The soil erosion problems in the north arise from the fragile and shallow soil types, lack of good soil management practices, steep slopes, and high erosive rainfall aggravated by a change in land use from natural forest to agriculture due in part to population pressure. Dopa village in northern Malawi provides a typical example of the complex relationship between poverty and environmental factors such as soil loss. Crops are the major source of livelihoods in the village, but, yields are below their potential partly due to soil erosion and the corresponding loss in soil fertility. Deforestation on the hills surrounding the village is a related problem as the wood provides an alternative source of income and help meet energy needs. Deforested hills have led to landslides during the rainy season further exacerbating the problem of soil erosion leading to a vicious cycle of food insecurity, poverty and environmental degradation.

However, here is a solution to avoid soil degradation. Include, Avoiding deforestation completely is an uphill task. However, deforestation can be cut down and this can create an impressive way of reshaping and restoring forests and vegetation cover. As populations grow, individuals can be sensitized and educated regarding sustainable forest management and reforestation efforts. Also, preserving the integrity of guarded areas can significantly reduce demonstration. Hence, there is a necessity for individuals all over the world to respect forest cover and reduce some of the human-driven actions that encourage logging. With the reduction of deforestation, soil?s ability to naturally regenerate can be restored. Governments, international organizations, and other environmental stakeholders need to ensure there are appropriate measures for making zero net deforestation a reality so as to inhibit soil degradation

Furthermore, Chiteteza Mbaula would enhance to mitigate deforestation, and combat soil degradation. Around 93% of Malawi?s depend on biomass energy for domestic cooking. Traditional 3-brick stove waste 70% of energy used as heat escapes around the edge. This is still the most common technique use in rural areas. The Chiteteza Mbaula stove saves 70% fire wood by retaining heat and directing it to the base of the cooking pot.

Below is the alternative fuel efficient stove called Chiteteza Mbaula and Briquettes used as alternative to fire wood, and could be also better to use it with Chiteteza Mbaula.