Avaliação do impacto da comercialização do carvão vegetal no rendimento das famílias rurais do distrito de Magude

Abstract

The present work has as main objective to evaluate the impact of the exploration and commercialization of charcoal in the income of the rural families of the district of Magude. To achieve the objectives proposed in the work, the collection of necessary information was based on surveys conducted with 50 traders, semi-structured interviews with local structures and analysis of results using descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that: 1. The District of Magude is the one that most exploits charcoal in Maputo Province: 2. The commercialization of coal is the main source of income for about 46% of the families that practice this activity. 3. The commercialization of coal represents a greater weight in relation to other income activities. 4. The commercialization of coal contributes to considerably increase the income of families that have other activities as the main sources of income. The study concluded that the yields obtained from the charcoal trade are higher than those obtained from agriculture, which is the basis of livelihood for more than 70% of the local population. The survey also found that the coal industry employs many people, many of whom are heads of families, thus contributing to the livelihood of many households. The work also found that, in spite of the difficulties of access routes for the transport from the production areas to the commercial places, the charcoal has a guaranteed market, in the village of Magude and in the cities of Maputo and Matola where consumption is greater . The lack of financing, difficulties in access routes for the transport from the production areas to the places of sale are the biggest constraints that hinder the expansion of the coal business by rural families.