The Viability of Coconut Shell Charcoal Briquettes as Substitute Fuel for Cooking in Camiguin Province

Abstract

Charcoal is an important agricultural by-product in Camiguin, as an essential source of domestic cooking fuel as well as an industrial raw material. The high production and demand of different types of charcoal (the wood charcoal, coconut shell charcoal, and the coconut shell charcoal briquettes) lead to an inquiry as to the environmental threats to agro-forest based farming system as well as its economic contribution in the province. Experiments, surveys, and interviews were used to draw out the perspectives of the charcoal producers, consumers and local government officials, and other key informants on the ground. This study revealed that among the consumers under study, eateries and bakeries claimed that coconut shell charcoal and wood charcoal are the main substitute to LPG for domestic cooking fuel but availability and high price lead the consumers to shift to coconut shell charcoal briquettes. Although coconut shell charcoal are abundant but most of the production are for industrial raw materials which are delivered outside the island. Among the three types of charcoal under study, consumers claimed that coconut shell charcoal briquettes are more economical to use due to its availability and cheaper price. Environmentally, coconut shell charcoal briquettes has a lesser effect on agro-forest based farming system as proven from experiments and interpretation of data.