Food Security and Agriculture

Overview

PARTNERS: Communities, WVI, NYCA

Capacity building training for FBOs on the production and application of biochar on farm lands for improved crop production

Food security has been on the decline over the years, and this has been attributed to various causes such as low soil fertility, water scarcity, and poor farm management practices. Majority of farmers, particularly those that operate on a small scale, have limited knowledge of soil and water management techniques that can support sustainable agricultural production.

To sustainably and progressively improve on crop yields or productivity, soil fertility and soil water retention should be enhanced. One of the surest technologies is the production and application biochar on farm lands.

Biochar is a solid carbon-rich product produced from biomass of agricultural crop residues, wastes, and wood, through pyrolysis in an oxygen-deficient condition. Carbon sequestration through biochar is important because of its potential applications in recycling wastes, retaining nutrients in the soil and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.