The National Association of Charcoal Producers, Dealers, Exporters and Afforestation of Nigeria (NACPDEAN) said it is committed to sustainable forest development that would address high forests deficit in Nigeria.
President of the association, Mr Babatunde Edu, made this disclosure at the weekend in Kaduna during the inauguration of Kaduna state officials of the association.
He said that their focus is to ensure planting of trees and establishment of more private indigenous plantations of economic trees.
Edu added that the association was also working towards creation of industrial alternative charcoal that is not made from wood.
In his words: though Nigeria has earned as much as over $73.2 million in charcoal trade as at 2019, their focus is to ensure sustainable environment.
The association also held sensitisation on its activities that centred around the theme: “Advocacy on Sustainable Afforestation and Reforestation for Kaduna State Posterity”.
Edu said NACPDEAN was established to streamline the sector and ensure orderliness in the conduct of charcoal commodity business within and outside the country.
“It is important to inform you of the high level of forests deficit gaps in Nigeria according to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
“Reports from the Global Forest Watch indicates that, between 2001 and 2021, Nigeria lost 1.14 million hectares of trees cover as a result of the several activities like industrial agriculture and food, which takes 80% of deforestation.
“Logging, petroleum exploration, urban development, forest burning, grazing and other activities are involved in deforestation as well.”
He explained that from 1960 to early 70s when attention was paid to the sector, export of wood products and agricultural commodities provided more than 70% of the country’s GDP.
“Based on the above point, NACPDEAN was formed to enforce compliance of tree planting in the charcoal sector,” Edu said.
He said that the global wood charcoal market revenue amounted to $24.2 billion in 2018, and has remained relatively unchanged since then.
“In production as at 2019, Nigeria is ranked the second largest producer in the world with 4.5 million tonnes after Brazil with 5.5 million tonnes, and first in Africa, with a combined 28% share of global production by FAO,” he added.
According to him, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) ranked Nigeria 8th in global wood charcoal consumption in 2019.
Edu believes that, with proper planning, Nigeria will earn much foreign exchange from the global charcoal market, without hurting the environment.
“The main objective of the association is for the nation to have abundant forest cover and sustainable forest development,” he added.
