Jolien Schure

Woodfuel and producers’ livelihoods in the Congo Basin

Fuelwood and charcoal are often among the first forest products to be mentioned that provide income to the poor. However, there is little quantitative data about the exact contribution made by these products in terms of household income and how they may help to reduce poverty. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the contribution made by the commercial woodfuel sector to the livelihoods of producers around Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Surveys and interviews with fuelwood and charcoal producers in the supply zones of Kinshasa indicate that (1) profits from fuelwood (USD 288 per year) and charcoal (USD 405 per year) represent a considerable part of the average household income (47% and 75% respectively); (2) annually, the poorest households produce less than half the amount of charcoal than the richest income group, but there is no significant difference between income groups for fuelwood; and (3) woodfuel revenues contribute to both poverty mitigation (used for basic needs such as food, education and healthcare) and poverty elimination (providing capital for investment in other economic activities), and hence livelihood diversification, for 72% of the fuelwood producers and 91% of the charcoal producers. In conclusion, woodfuel revenues contribute to poverty reduction, but the overall income of producers is still low and the poorest seem to benefit least. Overharvesting takes place on a large scale, which poses a risk to the sustainability of this livelihood activity.