ECONOMICS OF RUBBERWOOD CHARCOAL PRODUCTION USING THE TRANSPORTABLE METAL KILN

Abstract

The Tropical Development and Research Institute has developed a transportable metal kiln which is suitable for converting most types of wood residues to charcoal. We have successfully adapted this technology to produce rubberwood charcoal. To determine the optimum number of kilns suitable for economic charcoal production in rubber smallholdings, six operating schedules involving various number of kilns and workers were considered. The unit production cost varied from 6.7 to 10.9 cents per kg while monthly profit derived ranged from US$42.08 to US$579.05 depending on the operating schedule used. The payback period and breakeven area varied from 0.7 to 19.6 months and 0.5 to 5.1 ha respectively.