Optimizing productivity on multistage timber harvesting systems. A case of Shume/Mkumbara system, Tanzania

No Abstract.Discovery and Innovation Vol. 19 (1&2) 2007: pp. 76-8

Some Guidelines For Reduced Impact Timber Harvesting Practices In Miombo Woodlands

The Miombo woodlands are one of the largest dry forest types in Africa, covering over 2.7 million km-2 in eastern, central and southern Africa; including Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over 20 percent of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on the Miombo woodlands for their livelihood in terms of food, direct revenues, employment, forage for animals, tourism, fuel, timber and non-timber forest products. Miombo woodlands which occupy over 60 million hectares of land in Zambia and Tanzania contribute to the economies of these countries in terms of direct revenues, tourism, employment, raw materials for building and mining industries, energy and non wood products. Unfortunately, indiscriminate exploitation for timber, charcoal and other products, frequent destructive woodland fires and expansion of agricultural activities have of recent contributed to eroding the environmental importance and ecological diversity of this type of forest. With fast growing populations around these forests, this is likely to increase pressure even further on these forests. Proper management and utilization of these forests are therefore important if they are to sustained future uses. This paper outlines the current harvesting principles and documents procedures to follow in order to improve the existing harvesting practices in Miombo woodlands in southern and eastern Africa using Tanzania and Zambia as case studies. The document recommends improved procedures and techniques, which if adopted will lead to improved productivity, improved environmental value, health status of the residual forest and improved socio-economic benefits at local and national levels. The paper is intended to be used by policy makers, forest departments logging managers, field supervisors, communities and other stakeholders involved in timber harvesting with an objective to promote harvesting practices that improve productivity sustainable and efficient resource utilization while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Keywords: Reduced impact logging miombo woodlands - pre-harvest planning – platform sawing - post harvest impact assessment Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation Vol. 77 2008: pp. 54-7

Productivity and cost analysis of feller buncher at Sao Hill Forest Plantations, Tanzania

Timber harvesting operations in Tanzania are changing from  semi-mechanized and labour intensive methods to fully mechanized operations. To be cost effective, such operations must be carefully plannedand controlled. This requires detailed information on every aspect of timber harvesting machines. This study was therefore designed to analyze the productivity and costs of using feller bunchers for timber harvesting at Sao Hill Forest Plantations. Productivity studies were performed during clear felling operations. Continuous time study technique using snap-back timing method was used for data collection on productive and delay times. Supplementary cost data was obtained from records at the logging  department of Mufindi Paper Mill Company. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to determine productivity and costs as a function of stand variables and terrain factors. Results showed that, the feller buncher production rates ranged from 16.5m3/h to 80 m3/h when the tree sizes (Dbh) varied from 11cm to 32cm respectively. Further results showed that productivity and costs were highly affected by the moving distances of the feller buncher from a tree to tree. Overall, the distance and the tree size had significant influence on the productivity and costs thefeller buncher. The unit felling cost for feller buncher averaged 2,075 TZS/ m3. The study concludes that, the higher initial capital investment of feller buncher felling could be paid off by higher hourly production. Key words: Timber harvesting, labour, semimechanization, Tanzania