Charcoal and its Socio-Economic Importance in Asia

Prospects for Promotion

by Tara Bhattarai
Wood Energy Recources Specialist, RWEDP

Charcoal can be an excellent domestic fuel. User convenience, weight reduction for transportation and a high energy content are important advantages of using charcoal. Except in some countries, industrial application of charcoal in Asia is limited. But a large number of traditional rural industries and commercial establishments use it as energy source.

This paper deals with the socio-economic importance of charcoal for Asia and was presented at the Regional Training on Charcoal Production which was held in Pontianak, Indonesia in February 1998.

Table of Contents
1.	Why charcoal?
2.	Charcoal production and use may not always be economical
3.	Who uses? Who produces and where?
4.	Factors to consider for promoting charcoal use
5.	Employment
6.	Price competition and quality of charcoal
7.	Charcoal production potential for market supply

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