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Woodfuel Production and Use Rufiji District, Tanzania
Promotion of efficient methods for production and utilization of woodfuels at Ikwiriri Township and Mbunju-Mvuleni Village in Rufiji District, Coast Region in Tanzania [top] [end]1.0 Background and overviewThis report provides brief information on a sub- project under grant support from IUCN-EARO. The project was implemented under a larger project on Rufiji Environmental Management Programme (REMP). The report gives a summary of main activities conducted, achievements attained, impact of its activities, lessons learnt and constraints faced by the project. The funding amounted to EURO 20,000 for the two phases of implementation.The main goal of the REMP project was to conserve the environment through sustainable use of lower Rufiji Forests, woodlands and wetlands. The purpose of this REMP sub-project was to facilitate large-scale adoption of efficient technologies for production and utilization of wood fuel resources. The specific objectives of the project were to:
[top] [end]2.0 Summary of activities undertaken and achievementsA summary of implemented activities and achievements attained based on the activities agreed in for project implementation are shown in Table 1; followed by a brief narrative description for each activity. Causes of deviations from planned targets are highlighted in the summary table to enhance evaluation and follow-ups. Internal monitoring showed that achievements attained were satisfactory, with positive impact on the desired target groups and the environment.Table 1: Summary of implementation achievements
[top] [end]2.1 Raising awarenessKey activities conducted were at raising awareness of efficient utilization and production of woodfuels energy. To achieve this, the program demonstrated the use of efficient stoves and distributed promotional materials like posters, leaflets, and brochures as discussed in the following sub-sections.[top] [end]2.1.1 demonstrationsA total of 10 demonstrations (Table 2) on the use of improved charcoal, wood and bio-residues stoves at Ikwiriri and Mbunju-Mvuleni were conducted. More than 1,000 People visited demonstration sites.Table 2: Location of demonstration sites and number of participants
[top] [end]2.1.2 Preparation and distribution of promotional materialsThe projected aimed to prepare and distribute 400 brochures on improved stoves, charcoal production and tree growing. A total of 450 brochures were distributed to the target groups, public, Environment Management Team (EMT) members and other stakeholders.Posters The program facilitated the distribution of 350 posters on improved stoves and benefits of tree growing to the public, target groups, village leaders and EMT members during the period under consideration. Leaflets The program distributed a total of 420 leaflets on how to use improved charcoal and wood stoves to the public and target groups. [top] [end]2.2 Training of partners and target groupsProduction of improved charcoal stoves and clay linersThree metal artisans and 6 potters were trained on how to fabricate stoves and clay liners respectively. The main goal of the training was to upgrade knowledge and skills to the earlier trained artisans and potters on production of improved charcoal stoves and clay liners. Stove marketing and quality control Three metal artisans and 6 potters were trained on stove production and also imparted with knowledge on stove marketing and quality control. The training topics included type of costs involved in stove production, costing, pricing, identification of customers and advertisement (yes the same artisans as above were later given marketing and quality control knowledge). Training on improved charcoal production A total of 15 earlier trained charcoal burners were trained on improved charcoal production and significance of forest and tree harvesting techniques. The training aimed at clarifying some steps in the methods of construction and operation of improved basic earth mound kiln (IBEK). Improved firewood stoves During the project period, a total of 14 women and 3 men were trained on construction of improved firewood stoves .The main goal of the training was to transfer knowledge and skills on how to construct improved firewood stoves commonly known as Mkombozi, and kitchen management practices. Tree nursery establishment and management A total of 10 previously trained farmers and others from different villages and institutions were trained on tree growing and management techniques. The participants included both males and females and included religious groups and individual farmers. [top] [end]2.3 participatory evaluation workshopAt the end of the project period, a two-day participatory evaluation workshop was conducted at Ikwiriri. The main goals of the evaluation workshop were to measure performance and achievements of the project activities as compared to the planned activities and suggest a way forward. A total of 18 participants attended the workshop. These included TaTEDO staff members, Acting District Forest Officer, District Land Natural Resources and Environment Officer, REMP staff members, Ikwiriri Division Secretary, Mangrove Management Project representative, charcoal producers, potters, stove artisans, tree growers, ward councillor representative and village leaders.The workshop participants prepared a joint action plan focusing on sustainability of already implemented activities. [top] [end]2.4 Monitoring and reportingTo monitor progress, the project followed day-to-day activities of the trained target groups in the project area and the field officer submitted monthly action plans and progress reports to the monthly EMT meetings. The field officer also held various meetings with the target groups during the project period.Along with progress reports, field data and information's regarding the project activities was collected and discussed during monthly Management Coordinating Committee (MCC) meetings. These reports provided quantitative data and information used as internal inputs for the project monitoring and evaluation. [top] [end]2.5 Wood fuel data collectionCharcoal and firewood supply data to Ikwiriri was collected from November 2002 to April 2003. Charcoal is produced in areas located at least three kilometers from the township of Ikwiriri. The main production site for charcoal is Mpalange forest.The trend of variation of charcoal supply to Ikwiriri suggest the increase of charcoal production with the decrease of farming activities, this situation has been influenced by the fact that the normally long rainy season was not available this year. Scarcity of charcoal during November and December rendered the price of charcoal to be 2000Tshs at Ikwiriri and 2300Tshs at Ndundu Ferry 8km from Ikwiriri Township compared to 1,500Tshs in October when there were no scarcity. With the increase of supply of charcoal the price have decreased to between 1800Tshs per bag and 1,600Tshs per bag. The selling price of charcoal at production site was ranging from 1,300Tshs to 1,500Tshs per bag. On average, from November 2002 to April 2003 the quantity of charcoal supplied to Ikwiriri was 55 bags per day. The average weight of one bag is 37kgs. The quantity of charcoal consumed at Ikwiriri is estimated to be 55bags per day, which was equivalent to 369 tones between November 2002 to April 2003 (Table 3) Table:3 Fuelwood Consumption data at Ikwiriri.
Along with the use of efficient stoves the following are other factors associated to the decrease of consumption of charcoal in the period under consideration. Decline of commercial consumption of charcoal at Ndundu Ferry after stopping ferrying activities following permission by the government of cars to use Rufiji Bridge (ferry used to cause congestion of people and informal sells of goods and services including charcoal which were stopped due to security reasons). Decline of commercial consumption of charcoal at Rufiji Bridge construction site and Ikwiriri market after redundancy of bridge construction workers and banning of chips vendors business near Ikwiriri bus stand. Consumption data was collected during the rain season when farmers shift their settlement to the flood plane for cultivation of paddy and maize. [top] [end]3.0 Lessons learntDuring the project period the following lessons were learnt.The presence of matured indigenous trees, provide an opportunity for establishing tree farms for producing tree seeds to be used for regeneration, e.g. fencing posts erected around Ikwiriri Africa football ground produce tree seeds of pterocapus angolensis. This method can be used for production of tree seeds of endemic species. Participants to the training workshops are interested to be exposed for more training regarding energy saving stoves, improved charcoal production and tree planting. The price of charcoal has increased up to 1800Tshs since November 2002 this have been influenced by the increased demand of charcoal due to the incoming charcoal dealers from Dar es Salaam. Incoming charcoal producers from up-county areas do not introduce themselves to the village leaders and engage in unsustainable charcoal production. Village environment committees are not active in Ikwiriri thus no enforcement of regulations for village forest resources utilization. Improved firewood stoves attracted a lot of people due to its shape and energy efficiency. Improved charcoal stoves market is growing with the increase of awareness on energy saving potential of the stoves. Participants to the training workshop were impressed to be given equipment like watering canes and polythene tubes, which will be used for nursery activities [top] [end]4.0 constraintsThe following were the major constraints encountered;
[top] [end]5.0 impactsIncome generation and employment activities.Production of firewood and charcoal stoves are income-generating activities for the trained target groups. Currently, the demand for the stoves is higher than production at due to the raised awareness among stove users at Ikwiriri and other users in Rufiji District. Monetary savings. Due to the high efficiency of improved wood energy stoves, less quantity of wood is consumed and hence energy users who use efficient stoves spend less amounts of money to purchase firewood and charcoal. Table: 4 Cost comparison for traditional and improved charcoal stove
The average price of a bag of charcoal in Ikwiriri is 1800Tshs and this normally weighs 37kg. On retail, charcoal is sold at 100.00 shillings per kilogram. In six-month period a household using improved charcoal stove will reduce fuel cost by Tshs.12,960 (USD 12.5). Improved firewood stove minimizes utilization of firewood by 40% percent. Individuals buying firewood for cooking can serve about 40% of their money through using efficient firewood stove. Conservation Charcoal burners use selective harvesting of trees for charcoal production activities. Selection of trees of good quality, leaving out endemic tree species and small trees naturally growing in the forest is well understood by the trained target groups and is currently practiced. Improved methods for charcoal production have been adopted by the trained charcoal producers, which has minimized wood wastage during charcoal production. One cubic meter, which used to produce one bag of charcoal, currently is producing two bags of charcoal by using the improved charcoal production methods. The use of efficient fuelwood stoves reduces firewood usage by 50%. Currently two primary schools and twelve households in Ikwiriri, three households in Mpima and eleven households in Mbunjumvuleni are using improved firewood stoves. Households which are using this new technology will significantly contribute to the reduction of firewood consumption per capita. Time savings The average time for fetching and transporting firewood is four to six hours. This shows that firewood collectors especially women who have started using improved firewood stoves have reduced the frequency of going to the forest for fetching firewood by 50%. The time saved can be used for other activities. [top] [end]6.0 conclusionsImplementation of these project activities has enabled target groups to gain knowledge on efficient methods of production and utilization of wood fuel energy and its significance to the long term conservation strategies of woodland and wetlands of Rufiji.Various means of tree regeneration taught would enable the participants to produce seedlings of various trees, which will be used for tree planting. Awareness raised on the significance of wise use of forest resources has helped the charcoal producers to recognize that lack of village by-laws and proper community-based forest management plans are a problem which can cause unsustainable use of forests. Fuelwood data collected shows the decrease of charcoal consumption linked to the promotion of efficient charcoal stoves and the use of bio waste stoves as well as the shifting of farmers' settlement in addition to the decline of commercial use of charcoal at Ndundu ferry, Rufiji bridge construction site and Ikwiriri bus stand chips vendors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Page created:
10 June 2004; Last edited:
10 June 2004; Version: 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pagename: WoodfuelProductionAndUseRufijiDistrictTanzania @HEDON: FFBA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
