Fuelwood in Nicaragua: Finding value in the trees According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, over one half of the world’s annual wood harvest is used for fuel and 74% of this consumption takes place in developing countries. Fuelwood also accounts for a greater share of global energy consumption compared to the sum of all renewable energy sources combined. Since fuelwood consumption is expected to increase, it is important to find renewable ways of increasing production, particularly in developing countries where demand is large.
The establishment of tree plantations can play an important role in helping to meet energy demand. When cultivated by smallholders on land not suited for agriculture, it is seen as a means of improving rural livelihoods while helping the environment. In countries like Nicaragua, the need for farm-based tree plantations is particularly important since fuelwood is the country’s predominant energy source and deforestation has led to a critical wood supply deficit. However, for landowners to invest in the establishment of fuelwood
Oxen-pulled cart loaded with fuelwood on its way to market
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plantations, economic viability must be expected. In the context of plantation forestry, economic viability, including the environmental and social benefits derived from plantations, is a pre-requisite for wider adoption of sustainable forest management practices. For the economic viability of tree plantations to be assessed, a good understanding of yield and market demand is indispensible‌.and herein lies the problem. Firstly, fuelwood yield is commonly reported by weight but markets in Nicaragua pur-