How a Smart Stove Is Helping 3.1 Million Rural Homes Cut Indoor Smoke by 70%

In 2008, Ankit Mathur, an IIM-Ahmedabad graduate, and Neha Juneja noticed women in rural areas spent hours cooking and gathering firewood.

To address this, they joined hands with Shoeb Kazi, a chemical engineer, and in 2010, designed an energy-efficient “smart” stove under their company, Greenway Grameen Infra.

The trio worked on building a prototype, conducting tests, and engaging in sales directly within villages.

“It was a conscious decision,” says Ankit, about their stoves priced at Rs 500. They wanted to see how much people were willing to pay.

After testing prototypes across five states, they launched the Greenway Smart Stove in 2012, reducing smoke by 70%, and saving 65% of fuel.

The stove works on biomass like wood, crop waste, and bamboo. It reduces cooking time and claims to lower greenhouse emissions by at least two tonnes per year.

“This product eliminates carbon monoxide from burning firewood. It reduces smoke emissions, making it safer for kitchen or household use,” explains Ankit.

Soon, the team began collaborating with rural retail shops, micro-finance institutions, self-help groups, and NGOs to create financial packages for easy stove instalments.

They also partnered with corporate companies to subsidise the cost of the stoves, making them more affordable for women in rural areas.

They have sold around 3.1 million stoves in India, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a goal to reach 20 million households by 2030.

“I want to keep designing products that improve life for rural households. I also aspire to reach more customers at an affordable price point,” says Ankit.