Journal of Energy Technologies and Policy www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3232 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0573 (Online) Vol.5, No.11, 2015 1 Charcoal Production and Producers’ Tree Species Preference in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria Adeniji, O.A. 1 Zaccheaus, O.S. 2 Ojo, B.S 1 Adedeji, A.S 2 1 Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Wildlife Management, P.M.B 268, New-Bussa, Nigeria 2 Department of Basic Science, Federal College of Wildlife Management, P.M.B 268, New-Bussa, Nigeria Abstract A survey of charcoal production in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria, was carried out to determine the demographic characteristics of the producers, examine and explore charcoal production methods and processes, identify the tree species used in charcoal production and explore their desirable qualities, as well as examining the sustainable charcoal production in the study area. Purposive sampling technique was employed in the study. Four villages; Yangba, Gada-Oli, Tamanai and Tunga-Boka, where charcoal production is prevalent were selected. Fifty (50) copies of questionnaire were purposively administered to charcoal producers in the four villages, with thirty four (34) copies retrieved. Descriptive statistics tools were used to analyze the variables of interest. Variables which were analysed include sex, age, educational status, marital status, methods of charcoal production, e.t.c. The results of the study revealed that earth mound kiln (65%) and earth pit kiln (35%) are the two methods of charcoal production employed by the producers in the study area. Prosopis Africana (73%) is the most preferred tree species used by charcoal producers in the study area for charcoal production.The study has revealed that commercial charcoal production is gradually becoming one of the major sources of sustenance and currently plays a major role in promoting entrepreneurial development in Borgu L.G.A of Niger State with earth mound kiln method (65%) mostly employed. There should be increased supply of wood for charcoal production through plantations and woodlots; unchecked harvesting of trees without replacement should be addressed as well as development and implementation of short and long-term plans for massive tree planting. Keywords: charcoal, tree, specie, borgu, preference INTRODUCTION Charcoal production and demand are on the increase in developing countries and international market respectively (Bhattarai, 1998). Charcoal is one of the major components or fractions of wood fuel. Wood charcoal is processed from wood and wood materials from trunk, branches and other parts of trees and shrubs, processed by burning and passing through fire. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), charcoal is the solid residue derived from controlled combustion of a wide range of materials under condition of limited supply of oxygen (FAO, 1983). The United States Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) documented the production of charcoal in a 1961 report (USDA, 1961) which indicates that high-temperature heating of wood products result in the production of a wide range of by-products that include a solid object known as “Charcoal”. The resulting object is a black, charred material that has a distinct texture and appearance and used mainly for cooking, heating or generating energy through direct combustion (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1981). Kammen and Lew (2005) reported that half of the world’s population uses biomass fuel for cooking and that in 1992; 24 million tonnes of charcoal were consumed worldwide, with developing countries accounting for nearly all the consumption while Africa alone accounted for 50%. According to Centre for International Forestry Research (2005), wood fuel is Africa’s primary energy source for at least 70% of households. It is the major source of energy in rural areas both for domestic uses, in small-scale traditional industries and commercial enterprises. Though inefficient, wood charcoal production and distribution contribute to some extent, the national balance of payments at the macro level as foreign exchange. In Nigeria, the wood charcoal enterprise is one of the major components of the wood fuel industry and it is the main source of domestic fuel in urban areas, accounting for more than half of the domestic energy consumption (Enete and Agbugba, 2008). Awoyemi et al. (2006) maintained that charcoal is virtually available all over Nigeria as many local communities have perfected the technology of charcoal production. Some known charcoal depots are found in places like Oyo, Iseyin, Saki, Igbo-Ora, Ogbomoso- all in the western part of the country. We also have depots in Jebba, Omu Aran, Egbe, Kabba in the Central States. Charcoal is found in abundance also in Minna, Jos and Kaduna. For many urban poor, charcoal provides a reliable, convenient and accessible source of energy for cooking at a stable cost. While electricity and gas may be considered the most desired cooking fuels in urban areas, even if these are available most poor households cannot afford both the energy resources and the devices required to use these forms of energy. Many households, therefore, turn to using kerosene or charcoal. Since kerosene is not always available or too costly for many, this leaves charcoal as the most readily available fuel (Mugo and Ong,