1.
Charcoal Production:
Can it be a sustainable enterprise?
Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka 21st May 2013
Davison Gumbo
Scientist and Team Leader, CIFOR Zambia Office
Presented by:
© Davison Gumbo

2.
Outline
Background
Goal
Methods
Highlight Study Findings
Recommendations

3.
Background of the Study (1/3)
 Charcoal and timber provide a basis
for potentially viable forest-based
enterprises.
 Charcoal, timber and NTFPs
contribute directly to rural and urban
livelihoods in Zambia.
 Miombo and other associated forests
and woodland types provide
resources for charcoal and timber
production and non-timber forest
products (NTFPs).
© Davison Gumbo
© Ratna Yulia Hadi

4.
 Six districts in Eastern,
Northern (Muchinga)
and Northwestern
Provinces.
 Supported by the Embassy
of Finland in Zambia.
Background of the Study (2/3)
 Study on the dynamics of charcoal and
commercial timber production and trade in
Zambia.

5.
 Researchers of the study:
1. Davison J. Gumbo. CIFOR, Zambia.
2. Kaala B. Moombe. CIFOR, Zambia.
3. Mercy M. Kandulu. Forest Department Lusaka
Province, Zambia.
4. Gilian Kabwe. Copperbelt University, Zambia.
5. Marja Ojanen. The Embassy of Finland.
6. Elizabeth Ndhlovu. The Embassy of Finland.
7. Terry C. H. Sunderland. CIFOR, Indonesia.
Background of the Study (2/3)

6.
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.

7.
Methodology
Field based
research
Literature
review
Source of the picture of the puzzle: Blog.sendgrid.com

8.
Highlights: Major Findings
Charcoal Production,
Consumption and Trade

9.
Policy and
regulatory
framework in place
and adequate but
full implementation
hampered by lack of
resources (human
and financial).
FINDINGS (1/6)

10.
Charcoal widely produced
across the country.
FINDINGS (2/6)
© Ratna Yulia Hadi

11.
Charcoal a major energy
source for most urban
areas in Zambia.
FINDINGS (3/6)
© Davison Gumbo

12.
 Drivers of charcoalDrivers of charcoal
production.production.
• Poverty
• Limited employment
opportunities
• Quick and easy business
FINDINGS (4/6)
© Ratna Yulia Hadi

13.
FINDINGS (5/6)
Livelihood and other
socioeconomic benefits not
openly acknowledged.
© Davison Gumbo

14.
FINDINGS (6/6)
 Markets, charcoal
flows and
transportation.
© Davison Gumbo

15.
Can charcoal production
be a sustainable enterprise?
© Davison Gumbo

16.
Recommendations (1/3)
 Cultivate in local level institutions
a greater and keen interest in the
management of forests.
 Establish a conducive policy
environment for local level
institutions to manage forests.
 Facilitate the development of local
rules and guidelines for managing
forests for charcoal production.
 Incentives for sustainable charcoal
production must accrue to forest
“owners” and “managers”
© Davison Gumbo

17.
Recommendations (2/3)
 Develop schemes of sustainable
charcoal production based on
“lessons learnt” from customary
areas with long histories of
engagement.
 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, utilization,
and conservation.
© Davison Gumbo
Blog.cfcausa.org

18.
Recommendations (3/3)
 Information on the implications of
charcoal production on forests, trees
and livelihoods be provided.
 Provide capacity building to charcoal
producers on organizational,
technical and business management.
 Wider adoption and use of more
efficient kilns
 Step up research on adoption and
use of alternative feedstock for
charcoal production e.g., saw dust,
bamboo.
© Davison Gumbo
Bambooki.com

19.
Thank you
CIFOR main website: www.cifor.org
Forests Blog: www.blog.cifor.org
CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry:
www.cifor.org/forests-trees-agroforestry/crp.html
© Ratna Yulia Hadi