Specific tree species identified for charcoal production
Jun 10, 2007
THE 14 districts which are main producers of charcoal have agreed that only specific tree species be felled for charcoal burning. The chairpersons and environment officers from the districts in a recent workshop resolved this.
By Paul Tentena
THE 14 districts which are main producers of charcoal have agreed that only specific tree species be felled for charcoal burning. The chairpersons and environment officers from the districts in a recent workshop resolved this.
The tree species are Albizia coriaria (Mugavu), Combretum molle (Ndagi), Combretum collinum (Mukora), Terminalia glaucescens (Muyati), Abizia zygia (Mulongo), Acacia sieberiama (Mweramenyo), Acacia seyal (Mugano) and Acacia hockii (Musana).
The 14 charcoal producing districts are Apac, Kamuli, Kayunga, Kiruhura, Luweero, Masindi, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Wakiso and Kalangala.
Choosing trees for charcoal production was done because biomass (charcoal, firewood and agricultural residues) is a significant source of energy.
Biomass also contributes to the economy in terms of income, taxes and employment. It employs about 20,000 people and generates about US$20m per year, according to the Energy Policy of Uganda (2002), explaining the influx of charcoal producers.
A Ministry of Energy officer, John Kutesakwe, says there are two types of charcoal producers; part-time and full-time.
Full-time producers are engaged in the business throughout the year and move from place to place in search of trees to burn for charcoal.
Part-time producers only fell trees for charcoal during farm preparation or when there is an urgent financial need.
Charcoal is produced using kilns. They include earth kilns, brick kilns and transportable metal kilns.
Depending on the way the wood is stacked, a kiln is referred to as a bus, kinyankole or kasisira. In kinyankole, the wood is stacked horizontally and in kasisira, the wood is packed vertically.
Notable is that charcoal producers prefer the kinyankole kiln to kasisira because it is easier to construct.
Integrated Rural Development Initiative trained charcoal producers in Kamuli on making the Casamance kiln, whose efficiency is higher than that of traditional kilns.
The Casamance kiln has a chimney consisting of three oil drums with a condenser to collect pyroligneous acids (those produced by the distillation of wood) and other by-products.
The by-products are used as insecticides and for preservation of foodstuffs such as fish and meat.
THE 14 districts which are main producers of charcoal have agreed that only specific tree species be felled for charcoal burning. The chairpersons and environment officers from the districts in a recent workshop resolved this.
The tree species are Albizia coriaria (Mugavu), Combretum molle (Ndagi), Combretum collinum (Mukora), Terminalia glaucescens (Muyati), Abizia zygia (Mulongo), Acacia sieberiama (Mweramenyo), Acacia seyal (Mugano) and Acacia hockii (Musana).
The 14 charcoal producing districts are Apac, Kamuli, Kayunga, Kiruhura, Luweero, Masindi, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Wakiso and Kalangala.
Choosing trees for charcoal production was done because biomass (charcoal, firewood and agricultural residues) is a significant source of energy.
Biomass also contributes to the economy in terms of income, taxes and employment. It employs about 20,000 people and generates about US$20m per year, according to the Energy Policy of Uganda (2002), explaining the influx of charcoal producers.
A Ministry of Energy officer, John Kutesakwe, says there are two types of charcoal producers; part-time and full-time.
Full-time producers are engaged in the business throughout the year and move from place to place in search of trees to burn for charcoal.
Part-time producers only fell trees for charcoal during farm preparation or when there is an urgent financial need.
Charcoal is produced using kilns. They include earth kilns, brick kilns and transportable metal kilns.
Depending on the way the wood is stacked, a kiln is referred to as a bus, kinyankole or kasisira. In kinyankole, the wood is stacked horizontally and in kasisira, the wood is packed vertically.
Notable is that charcoal producers prefer the kinyankole kiln to kasisira because it is easier to construct.
Integrated Rural Development Initiative trained charcoal producers in Kamuli on making the Casamance kiln, whose efficiency is higher than that of traditional kilns.
The Casamance kiln has a chimney consisting of three oil drums with a condenser to collect pyroligneous acids (those produced by the distillation of wood) and other by-products.
The by-products are used as insecticides and for preservation of foodstuffs such as fish and meat.