Productivity and cost analysis of semi-mechanised and mechanised systems on the Viphya forest plantations in Malawi

dc.contributor.authorNgulube, Elisha Stephen
dc.contributor.authorBrink, Michal
dc.contributor.authorChirwa, Paxie W.
dc.date.accessioned2014-08-26T08:00:02Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractAt least 200 000 m3 of timber is harvested annually using semi-mechanised harvesting systems on the Viphya forest plantations in Malawi. Although these systems have long been used on the Viphya, no investigation on their productivity has so far been reported. Additionally, the absence of localised productivity analyses in Malawi has created a paucity of information on appropriate timber harvesting systems for production maximisation and cost minimisation. The objective of this study was to compare the production rates and operational costs of chainsaw/grapple skidder (semi-mechanised) and feller-buncher/grapple skidder (mechanised) harvesting systems in order to determine the economic feasibility of mechanised systems in the Viphya forest plantations. The study was conducted in Pinus kesiya compartments at the Kalungulu and Champhoyo forest stations of the Viphya forest plantations. A work study approach was followed to capture harvesting time and volume data for the semi-mechanised system. Secondary work study data were used to simulate productivity of the mechanised system on similar compartment conditions. A timber-harvesting costing model was used to analyse the results. The study showed that the simulated mechanised system was associated with lower operating costs and inventories with higher production rates than the semi-mechanised system. The cost marginal difference was US$0.89 m−3. It was therefore established that migration to mechanised systems could optimise timber harvesting productivity on the Viphya in future, if optimal volumes are available to ensure the efficient application of the mechanised harvesting system.en_US
dc.description.embargo2015-08-30
dc.description.librarianhb2014en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipMzuzu University and the SAFCOL Forest Chair of University of Pretoria, Barloworld Equipment (Isando) and John Deere (Nelspruit)en_US
dc.description.urihttp://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tsfs20en_US
dc.identifier.citationNgulube, E, Brink, M & Chirwa, PW 2014, 'Productivity and cost analysis of semi-mechanised and mechanised systems on the Viphya forest plantations in Malawi', Southern Forests, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 195-200.en_US
dc.identifier.issn2070-2620 (print)
dc.identifier.issn2070-2639 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.2989/20702620.2014.938294
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/41595
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherTaylor & Francisen_US
dc.rights© NISC (Pty) Ltd. This is an electronic version of an article published in Southern Forests, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 195-200, 2014. doi : 10.2989/20702620.2014.938294. Southern Forests is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tsfs20.en_US
dc.subjectBunchingen_US
dc.subjectChainsawen_US
dc.subjectFeller-buncheren_US
dc.subjectExtractionen_US
dc.subjectGrapple skidderen_US
dc.subjectHarvesting systemen_US
dc.subjectOptimisationen_US
dc.subjectPinus kesiyaen_US
dc.subjectTime studyen_US
dc.titleProductivity and cost analysis of semi-mechanised and mechanised systems on the Viphya forest plantations in Malawien_US
dc.typePostprint Articleen_US

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