Murang'a: Farmers have been urged to embrace the production and application of biochar on their farms to boost crop production while conserving the environment.
According to Kenya News Agency, experts and industry players attended a one-week biochar academy organized by the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) and the Circular Bio-nutrient Economy Network (CBEN) to discuss how biochar production and application can be upscaled. Biochar, a type of charcoal produced from organic material such as wood, crop residues, or manure in a low-oxygen environment through a process called pyrolysis, was highlighted as a solution for improving soil health and carbon sequestration.
Samuel Thuo, a CBEN official, explained that unlike regular charcoal, biochar is primarily used in soil amendment to enhance soil health because it retains moisture, increases air flow, adds carbon, and improves nutrient retention, thereby supporting microbial activities that stimulate plant growth. Thuo noted that over 80 percent of plant matter remains as waste post-harvest and can be used to produce biochar, which can also be mixed with manure to create organic fertilizers.
Luisa Marin, an executive director at IBI, emphasized that biochar offers benefits such as managing agricultural residue, amending soils, and attracting carbon credits. She noted that the Murang'a academy was the first of its kind on the continent and aimed to identify training needs and business development models for biochar. Marin explained that biochar production is an ancient technique and highlighted its role in reducing the use of water and chemicals on farms.
Johannes Lehmann, a professor at Cornell University, stated that Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to be self-sufficient in fertilizer production through biochar, which could significantly improve soil nitrogen levels and harvests. Lehmann mentioned that CBEN was formed to explore how circularity can positively impact farming using high-value residue.
A local farmer, Kioko Mwangangi, shared his success story of using biochar, which has helped his citrus fruits withstand droughts without withering. Denis Muriithi, a manufacturer of organic fertilizers using biochar, urged farmers to adopt organic fertilizers to rejuvenate and restore productivity to their soils.