A Sustainable Charcoal Production Project piloted by the Saint Lucia Agriculture Forum for Youth has been shown to increase charcoal production by as much as 30 percent, while being environmentally clean.

The project involves the use of a kiln made of concrete rather than the traditional sand pits, and is in-keeping with the ministry’s strategic objectives for the project, which include the provision of reliable and affordable energy; the enhanced application of science, technology and innovation; and a demonstration of the value of the green economy.

Acting Chief Forestry Officer, Adams Toussaint said that the new method is proving to be quite beneficial.

“We have compared the two methods and realized that from this process, you can increase your production of charcoal by thirty percent. This is a pilot project that we are hoping that we can encourage and that people can buy into. It can be sustainable in many ways and environmentally clean.”

Because charcoal production serves as an important livelihood for many in Saint Lucia, Toussaint said, it was necessary to make the practice more sustainable.

“The traditional method [of production] contributes to the loss of carbon and is not very efficient,” he said. “It is also a health hazard and it is not environmentally clean. We have assessed the traditional method and are hoping to promote this newer and more sustainable method of charcoal production.”

The Sustainable Charcoal Production Project is supported by the Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

It has commenced in the community of Errard on the east coast.