Providing training in sustainable charcoal production and community forestry is a major part of CFSP’s role. We are actively involved in international wood energy networks and are well placed to facilitate the transfer into Cambodia of technologies developed in other countries. Our objectives are:

• To raise the awareness on sustainable & environmentally friendly charcoal production
• To bring improved charcoal technology to the people of Cambodia
• To find alternative approaches of sustainable forest management

CFSP has prioritised attention on training stove producers because they supply the existing stove market . Producers of the traditional stoves learn to produce the improved cookstoves and understand its fuel saving benefits. They then sell the ICS through the existing channels that they have previously dealt with. And in some places market demand for the NLBS improved cookstove has caused producers to start producing them

During the first half of 2003 CFSP trained 19 producers from 10 different production centres in Phnom Penh and Kandal Province and later in the . Production capacity exist to supply up to 3000 NLBS, per month, to the market in and around Phnom Penh. Producers from Battdambang, Prey Veng, Siem Reap and Kompong Chhnang have also been trained in the production of the main household ICS, the NLBS.

Following the training of a new producer CFSP conduct a five stage follow-up scheme in which we buy stoves from the new producer. This scheme provides quality control feedback to the producer whilst also supplying them with income as they learn to produce the new stove. Built into the scheme is a strong financial incentive encouraging the producer to manufacture to high standards of quality and accuracy.

Following initial field trials of the New Lao Kompong Chhnang Stoves, CFSP trained 11 producers how to manufacture this stove during May 2003. Stoves produced in Kompong Chhnang province are distributed by ox carts or motorbike carts. Production capacity for this stove in Kompong Chhnang is now around 1500 units per month

Up to February 2004 CFSP has carried out training with charcoal producers in 7 provinces
Over 14 kilns have been constructed, with trainees going on to manufacture 5000 kg of charcoal during their first couple of months of production.

The training covered:

• Kiln construction (Yoshimura Kiln, horizontal drum kiln, vertical drum kiln & charring kiln)
• Knowledge of raw material from which charcoal is produced including wood, coconut shell, coconut husk, sugar cane thrash, saw-mill wastes, etc.
• The carbonization process and procedure
• Collection and utilization of charcoal by products including ash, dust, and wood vinegar

Supervised trial production followed the training to evaluate the effectiveness of the kilns, to understand the characteristics of the raw materials and to identify any further problems faced. The prospects for developing charcoal by products like wood vinegar were further considered. The training sessions also promote awareness of sustainable charcoal practices and issues to charcoal wholesalers and in the communities where trainees live.

The training center in Takeo is being set up in collaboration with the Community Forest Association of Tram Kak and with DATe (Development & Appropriate Technology), a national NGO working on appropriate technology and micro-enterprise development.

The center will provide training in sustainable charcoal production to individuals and organizations working in wood energy related issues. Courses will cover improved charcoal manufacturing technology and producing charcoal from the community forest.

Additionally, the center will introduce and assess an inter-cropping system which will enable community members to obtain additional income from Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) such as fruit, vegetables, starch and apiary products.