People in Uttara Kannada District have been using firewood inefficiently to make jaggery. This problem was studied by a group of scientists from IISc and they designed an improved 3 pan stove with an efficiency of about 50%. This improved design was put up first in Unchagi village. It uses bagasse as fuel thereby completely eliminating the use of firewood. The plant has been working for more than three years. Since the people were accustomed to two pan stoves, modified two pan stoves have been constructed in six villages in Kumta and Honnavar taluk by Dr. M.S.Hegde. This popularisation programme was funded by the State Department of Science and Technology. An estimate of Savings in firewood consumption for jaggery making in Uttara Kannada District alone is 30,000 tons/year.