Examining the Relationship between Commercial Charcoal Production and Socioeconomic Variables in Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Charcoal is no longer a source of energy to only rural households but also a demanded commodity in urban areas around the world which has resulted in the commercialization of its production, particularly rural dwellers of developing countries such as Nigeria. Given the observed growing significance of charcoal in rural and urban livelihoods in Nasarawa State, this paper examined the relationship between commercial charcoal production and socioeconomic characteristics of the people involved in the activity. 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). Results showed that commercial charcoal producers in the study area were mostly between 21 and 50 years with dominance of those between 31 and 40 (30.9%) while those above 50 years were least represented (6. 9%).There was slight dominance of women (52.4%) among the producers and the they were mostly primary (44%) and secondary (35.6%) school certificate. Majority (48.2%) had household size of 4 – 6 and more than half (52.9%) were married and earned 20,000 naira and below on monthly basis (46.4%). There is strong relationship between the socioeconomic status of the respondents and commercial charcoal production in the study area. Their socioeconomic status proved to have served significant motivation to their rising involvement in the activity. Also alternative economic activities that guarantees quick monetary rewards and is all age and gender engaging as well as requires no special skill and huge capitals for a start, should be planned for and introduced in the study area by the State Government.

The Socio-economic and Environmental Implications of Supplying Charcoal in Yaounde City

“…The challenge for many governments has been responding effectively to the many dimensions of charcoal as both a solution and a problem. In a surprising number of cases, charcoal is not considered in the energy policies and programs of many of the largest consuming nations [22][23][24].…”

“…Policies for addressing charcoal have for the most part have been insufficient at meeting their objectives [22,14]. Rising costs of fossil fuels, accelerating impacts of climate change, and significant shortfalls in meeting energy access goals in the developing world calls for a reexamination of the potential that charcoal holds as a modern, renewable fuel contributing to low carbon development.…”

“…Rising costs of fossil fuels, accelerating impacts of climate change, and significant shortfalls in meeting energy access goals in the developing world calls for a reexamination of the potential that charcoal holds as a modern, renewable fuel contributing to low carbon development. A definitive fuel switch from firewood to charcoal is occurring today in many developing countries driven, primarily, by rapid urbanization [25,22,12]. Improved cook stove programs and fuel switching to 'modern' and 'cleaner' fuels have been the dominant approach for addressing the charcoal 'problem'.…”