charcoal production: can it be a sustainable enterprise?
DESCRIPTION
This presentation by Dr. Davison Gumbo, a scientist and Zambia project leader of CIFOR focuses on sustainable charcoal production: what the goals of the study were, how it was conducted and what the findings were.TRANSCRIPT
Charcoal Production: Can it be a sustainable enterprise?
Venue, 21st May 2013
Dr. Davison GumboScientist and Zambia Project Leader
Outline
Background Goal and Objectives Methods Highlight Study
Findings Recommendations
Background
Charcoal and timber provide a basis for potentially viable forest-based enterprises.
Charcoal, timber and NTFPs provide direct support to rural and urban livelihoods in Zambia.
Miombo and other associated woodlands is resources for charcoal and timber production and non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
Six districts in Eastern, Northern (Muchinga) and Northwestern Provinces.
Supported by the Embassy
of Finland in Zambia.
Background – Cont …
Study on dynamic of the charcoal and indigenous timber trade in Zambia.
Goals of the study
Identify and characterize the social, economic and environmental issues pertaining to
charcoal and timber production and trade in Zambia as well as the implications of the
nascent regional charcoal industry.
Methodology
Field based research
Literature review
Finding Highlights
Charcoal Production, Consumption and Trade
Policy and regulatory framework in place and adequate but lack of resources (human and financial).
FINDING
Charcoal widely produced across Zambia.
FINDING
Charcoal a major energy source for urban areas in Zambia.
FINDING
Drivers of charcoal production.• Poverty • Limited employment
opportunities• Quick and easy business
FINDING
FINDING
Livelihood and other socioeconomic benefits not openly acknowledged.
FINDING
Markets, charcoal flows and transportation.
Can charcoal production be a sustainable enterprise?
Recommendations
Establish a conducive policy environment for local level institutions to manage forests.
Develop local rules and guidelines for managing forests for charcoal production.
Encourage local level institutions to take a greater interest in the management of forests.
Incentive for sustainable charcoal product accrue to forest “owners.”
Recommendations – Cont … Collaboratively develop schemes
of sustainable charcoal production with charcoal producers based on lesson learnt particularly in customary areas.
Provide special support to women charcoal producers to ensure they work in sustainable way and within the confines of the law.
Urban consumers should be part of the debate/discussion on charcoal production and utilization debate.
Recommendations – Cont … Improve understanding on the
implications of charcoal and timber production on the forests.
Provide capacity building to charcoal producer particularly on organizational, technical and business training.
Research should be stepped up to come up with alternative feedstock for charcoal production e.g, bamboo.
Thank you