Local people’s perception on charcoal production methods and their efficiency: A case study of Alwi Sub-County, Nebbi District

Abstract

The study of local people’s perceptions on charcoal production methods and their efficiency was carried out in Alwi sub-county, Nebbi district with specific objectives of documenting the methods used for charcoal production, determining efficiency of different charcoal production methods, assessing the influence of charcoal producers’ skills on efficiency of charcoal production and examining the effect of production scale on charcoal production efficiency. A cross section research design was used where data on different variables was collected at once from respondents using both qualitative and quantitative methods that included review of existing documents in subject matter; questionnaire interviews, key informants interview and observation were used to collect data. Simple random sampling was used to select study parishes (Abok, Pangieth, Ayila and Fauluonga). Using the same sampling procedure 30 households were selected in each parish for the study making a total of 120 respondents. The study revealed that both earth mould (68%) and pit (32%) kiln charcoal production methods are used in Alwi Sub-county. The study also revealed that earth mould kiln takes an average of 7 days to successfully produce quality charcoal. Okwang (Lophira alata), Oryang (Acacia hockii), Oduk (Combretum molle) Mukandua (Albizia adianthifolia), Chwaa (Termarindus indica), Owak (Albizia grandibracteata), Atego (Boassus aetuiopum) , Tho (Balanites aegyptiaca), Aling Ogali (Vitex doniana) were found to be commonly used tree species for charcoal production. People’s experience was found to affect efficiency in charcoal production because of their abilities to identify suitable tree species for charcoal production, wood pilling, determining wind direction and site identification which all affect charcoal recovery. The study also documented that majority of charcoal producers had a low charcoal production capacity with many producing 6-10 bags of 100 kg per month due to reduction in charcoal production prefered trees.There was a general conclusion that both pit and earth mould kiln charcoal production methods are used. Charcoal production requires skills to achieve high charcoal out put and that charcoal production scale affects efficiency with high recovery when high scale is used. Key words: Charcoal, production method, efficiency, Nebbi District