The potential of chainsaw milling outside forests. Summary report, Chainsaw/benchsaw milling calculator, Policy decision support model.

Summary report — last modified 2007-04-17 18:17

The summary report provides a brief overview of chainsaw milling in the world today, concentrating on the use of milling attachments, and the situation outside forests. This is then looked at in detail in East Africa, using a comprehensive case study from Meru, Kenya, and supporting assessments in Uganda, DR Congo and Tanzania. For Kenya, specifically Meru, a decision-making framework is presented, as a model with examples that can allows readers in other countries to adapt it, to answer the question, "when does chainsaw milling make sense?". Correct citation: Samuel JH, Pasiecznik NM, Fehr C. 2007. The Potential of Chainsaw Milling Outside Forests. Summary report with economic and policy case studies from East Africa. HDRA, Coventry, UK. 66pp. http://chainsaw.gwork.org/.

Spreadsheet calculator — last modified 2006-08-22 08:35

In addition to the book, a decision-support tool is available for downloading here as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, developed from data collected in Kenya though allowing users to change parameters based on their own data. Comments from users on the value or not of the tool will be most gratefully received by the author John Samuel (johnhsamuel@yahoo.com) and website coordinator Nick Pasiecznik (npasiecznik@wanadoo.fr). This economic spreadsheet model compares chainsaw frame milling with tractor driven bench saws and can be modified by the user. Its purpose is to examine the economic performance of, new to East Africa, guided chainsaw milling systems compared the existing tractor mounted and powered circular bench saws. The outputs of the economic model have been used a larger assessment and data collection framework detailed in the summary report. The data used in the spreadsheet is an amalgum of primary, observed and secondary information, gathered in Meru, Kenya in Feburary 2006. This model is freely available and can be modified by overwriting the red numbers in the worksheets. This will automatically update the graphical displays of the results excepting overlaid elements such as the Meru local timber price. To avoid the use of excel 'marcos', which cause difficulties with computer virus protection systems, the calculations are contained within the workbook, giving it a large file size. There is no protection set on this workbook, so if input mistakes are made it maybe necessary to download another copy. No liability whatsoever is attributable to any person, business, company, agency or others connected to this project on the use of these models or the outputs of them, they are only indicative tools. No guarantee, surety or any other form of claim is made on the accuracy of these models, all decisions must be made by the business, company (incorporated or not) or individual(s) alone, no liability is taken assumed or given on the use, the outputs or information of, from or produced by the models.

MCA chainsaw E-Africa decision support.xls — last modified 2006-08-22 08:33

A decision support model was also created for the national services of East Africa, utilising Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) or Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques. The models and data collection framework were created to “...enable national forest administrations to determine the conditions under which chainsaw milling is appropriate and sustainable”.