........He adds that the department is on a mission to train Mutomo District community on the making of these kilns for forest sustainability. So far, the department has built two (2) demonstration kilns in Mutomo and Kanziko Locations.
Unlike the earth kiln which requires big logs for charcoal production, often leading to felling of the whole tree, the modern kiln requires the branches and the whole tree is not felled. Likewise,the modern kiln retains 90% carbonization (conversion of organic matter into carbon ) as compared to the earth kiln which retains only 45 % carbonization.
Raw materials for the kiln are bricks and mud and no labour charges are needed for an association to benefit from this kiln.
Mbuko says that the Kenya Forests Act 2005 empowers associations to promote environmental conservation and capacity building of community on utilization of tree products.
A group willing to become an association dealing with charcoal products should have membership of fifty (50) people and above. The group then registers with the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Social Services. This certificate is then used to register with the Kenya Forest Services (KFS).The license from KFS,together with the group’s constitution and minutes, is used to register with the office of the Attorney General.
How it is done
Burning charcoal using the modern kiln involves a particular process. The branches are cut and left to dry for a period of between four (4) to six (6) weeks. ‘’ Moist wood will not carbonize properly because of the high moisture content’’, points out Mbuko.
After the wood is dry, it is fend to the kiln through the side entrance until it is half full then remaining space is fed wood through the top entrance. The upper entrance is covered with metal sheet and then sealed with mud. The wood is then ignited and the side entrance closed with bricks
Smoke coming out of the breathers is monitored until it changes from dark to a bright blue. Depending on the size of the kiln, this takes between six to eight days.
‘’When the smoke turns to blue this means that the whole lot has been ignited’’ says Mbuko’’ then the breathers are closed with bricks to retain heat for carbonization which takes two days.” he continues.
The entrances and breathers are then opened after the carbonization process.
Marketing
Mr.Mbuko says that because an association produces in bulk, members can determine the price for their products so that every member sells at the price they have agreed on. All the associations can also get together and source for transportation for their products.
Advantages of the modern brick kiln
The modern kiln is environmental friendly in that only tree branches are used hence enabling the tree to regenerate.This ensures forest conservation.
The kiln takes minimum time to feed wood and ignite Says Mbuko’’ earth kilns are very time consuming in that you have to keep on checking whether there is fire leakage while with the modern kiln you relax and wait for the designated days.’’
Disadvantages of the modern brick kiln
The quantity of charcoal is low in that only a given amount of wood can fit in the kiln at a time.
Conclusion
Mr Mbuko is of the opinion that if the current trend of cutting down trees for charcoal burning continues, the district will be a desert come 2030.’’ But if the community embraces this new technology, our forests will start healing, ‘’ he concludes
He is however optimistic that residents will embrace this new technology.
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