Analysis of Tree Species Preference and Reasons among Commercial Charcoal Producers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
Commercial charcoal production has over time become an indispensable means of livelihood among rural settlers in Nasarawa State. However, charcoal production involves woodland exploitation which contributes to deforestation. Considering the growing significance of charcoal in rural and urban livelihoods in Nasarawa State, this paper analysed the preference of tree species and reasons among commercial charcoal producers in Nasarawa State in view of identifying endangered species and suggesting measures to ensure sustainability of the business. The study employed descriptive survey using both qualitative and quantitative data drawn from primary and secondary sources. Questionnaire was administered to 450 respondents randomly sampled from commercial charcoal producers drawn from 6 communities and 3 LGAs of Nasarawa State. Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were also conducted and the data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Microsoft Excel and SPSS (version 23). A total of 22 tree species were identified as usable for charcoal production in the study area. Investigation into the producers’ preference of tree species showed that eight (8) were mostly preferred out of which Anogeissus leiocarpus (Marke) (57.3%), Erythrina senegalensis (Madri) (52.2%) and Prosopis Africana (Kirya) (49.1%) were among the top three. Marke, Kirya and Madri were the most preferred species in Akwanga, Doma and Karu production areas respectively. High charcoal yield, good combustion quality, high heat content of resulting charcoal, less ash production were the main reasons for their preferences. Most of the preferred tree species have been depleted to the point that they are no longer commonly found for use among commercial charcoal producers in the state. The most endangered species due to commercial charcoal production were Anogeissus leiocarpus (Marke), Erythrina senegalensis (Madri) and Prosopis Africana (Kirya). However, pressure is currently on Teminalia glocosece (Baushe/Uko), Andira inermis (Gwaska), Ficus Spp (Baure), Vitellaria paradoxa (Kede) and Gardinia aqualla (Gaude) due to the difficulties in finding the endangered ones which constituted the most preferred species among producers in Nasarawa State. It was recommended that state energy policies should incorporate a law recognizing charcoal as a key source of energy in the State, thereby encouraging investments in the activity of commercial charcoal producers. Furthermore, conservation plans and practical measures of replacing the extracted trees from woodlands/forests for commercial charcoal production should form the basis for license issuance for charcoal production.
References
-
FAO, Assessing forest degradation: Towards the development of globally applicable guidelines. Forest Resources Assessment Working Paper 177. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. 2011.
Google Scholar
1
-
F. B. Dayo. (2012). “Opportunities for CDM Projects in Anglophone Sub-Saharan African Countries”, Report of a Study Funded by AFTEG, World Bank.
Google Scholar
2
-
R.M. Martin, D. Kneeland, D.Brooks, R. Matta.(2012) (eds). FAO: 2012. State of World’s Forests 2012. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
Google Scholar
3
-
Global Forest Watch, World Resources Institute 2016, Accessed on (2018) www.globalforestwatch.org.
Google Scholar
4
-
Federal Government of Nigeria-FGN, Proposed National Biofuel Policy, Draft, Abuja: Nigerian Energy Commission. 2004.
Google Scholar
5
-
Resource Watch Agenda, Poverty Reduction through Civil Society Advocacy in Natural Resources and Environmental Governance in Ghana, 2010, Edition 4, 2-6.
Google Scholar
6
-
L.T. Ajibade. “Creating Environmental Awareness Techniques in Nigeria”. In Opoku-Agymang (eds) Culture, Science and Sustainable Development in Africa. The First University of Cape Coast and University of Ilorin Joint Conference 2009.
Google Scholar
7
-
UNFF, 12th session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF12) -E/CN.18/SS/2017/2. May 1, 2017 to May 5, 2017. New York, United States. https://documents-dds ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N17/034/53/PDF/N1703453.pdf?OpenElement.
Google Scholar
8
-
Kenya Forest Service-KFS, Analysis of the Charcoal Value Chain in Kenya. August 26, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.kenyaforestservice.org/document s/redd/Charcoal%20Value%20Chain%20An alysis.pdfAccessed 09/09/2015.
Google Scholar
9
-
G. C. Monela, A. Okting’ati and P. M. Kiwele (1993). “Social-Economic Aspects of Charcoal Consumption and Environmental Consequences Along Dar es Salaam-Morogoro Highway, Tanzania”. Journal of Forest Ecology and Management 58: 249-258.
Google Scholar
10
-
D. O. Beatrice, N. Isaac, O. Elizabeth, W. O. Francis and M. Emmanuel (2014). “The Charcoal Industry in Ghana: An Alternative Livelihood Option for Displaced Illegal Chainsaw Lumber Producers”. Tropenbos International, Wegeningen, the Netherlands, 132 pp.
Google Scholar
11
-
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria], Final Results of 2006 Census. Official Gazette of 2nd February, 2009. Abuja, Nigeria.
Google Scholar
12
-
R. V. Krejcie, & D. W. Morgan, “Determining sample size for research activities”. Educational and Psychological Measurement 1970, 30, 607-610.
Google Scholar
13
-
M. B. Miles and A. M. Huberman (1994). “Qualitative data analysis”: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
Google Scholar
14
-
E. Kituyi, L. Marufa, B. Huber, S. Wandiga, I. Jumba, M. Andreae and G. Helas. “Bio-fuels Consumption Rates in Kenya”. Biomass and Bioenergy 2001, 20:83-99.
Google Scholar
15
-
L. H. Charlotte, “Burning Nigerian forests on European barbecues: A carbon footprint and cost comparison between imported Nigerian charcoal and sustainably produced charcoal in the European Union”. Published MSc Thesis Energy Science Utrecht University; Faculty of Geoscience; 30 ECTS. Date: 4th June 2018.
Google Scholar
16
-
O. A. Adeniji, O. S. Zaccheaus, B. S. Ojo and A. S. Adedeji (2015). “Charcoal Production and Producers’ Tree Species Preference in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria”. Journal of Energy Technologies and Policy, www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3232 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0573 (Online) Vol.5, No.11, 2015.
Google Scholar
17
-
W. Chansa (2000). “Utilization of woody plant species by local communities in Mumbwa Game Management Areas, Zambia”. Unpublished MSc. Thesis, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, pp 1-99.
Google Scholar
18
-
O. Y. Ogunsanwo, A. A. Aiyeloja and C. Uzo (2007). “Production Technique and the Influence of Wood Species on the Properties of Charcoal in Nigeria, A Case Study of Oyo State”. Agricultural Journal, 2: 131-133.
Google Scholar
19
-
K. Kokou, Y. Nuto and H. Atsri (2009). “Impact of Charcoal Production on Woody Plant Species in West Africa: A Case Study in Togo”. Scientific Research and Essay, Vol.4 (9), pp. 881-893, September, 2009 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE ISSN 1992-2248 © 2009 Academic Journals.
Google Scholar
20