Assessing the Uptake of Modern Kiln Technology in Mutomo, Kitui County, Kenya

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Date
2017
Authors
Kioli, John
Wemali, Evelyn
Ngare, Innocent
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Publisher
Finlogy
Abstract
The demand for energy on developing nations has increased in the past three decades propelled by population growth. This has led to more biomass energy consumption and use in the households. For this study, we assess factors that will propagate better uptake of modern kilns that are environmental friendly and minimal on waste of wood fuel for the production of charcoal in Mutomo. Methodology of the study employed the following sampling techniques: random sampling; stratified sampling and purposive sampling during the survey. The sample size was 255. The methods of data collection used were observation and questionnaires. Both qualitative and quantitative data was obtained. Qualitative data was analysed through content and thematic analysis where the information received from the respondents were captured as were stated. The discussed findings also indicate the perceptions towards the uptake of modern charcoal producing kilns. Further, we analyze challenges of transitioning from traditional earth kilns to modern technology kilns. We conclude that, equitable use of environmental resources depend on better technologies that facilitate sustainability. Therefore the efficiency and economical characteristics of modern kilns play an important role in their adoption because they help in getting high quality charcoal such that the traders are able to get maximum returns. For the socioeconomic wellbeing of charcoal producers, modern kilns are economical and profit generating thus maintaining the forest cover unlike tradition kilns that degrades it. The formation of charcoal processing associations is the main way of encouraging the use of modern charcoal burning kilns other than the sensitization of the public on the benefits of the use of modern charcoal burning kilns.
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Research Article
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Citation
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-12, (2017)