What is biochar?

Biochar is a sustainable farming technique used to help improve soil quality. Biochar is made by the following process: heating biomass (wood, manure, crop residues, solid waste, etc.) with limited oxygen in a specially designed stove or kiln. Biochar is used to improve the soil’s water holding capacity and helps with increasing nutrient holding capacity.

Increases nutrient holding  capacity

Biochar has negative electric  charge on the surface of its porous  structure, attracting positive ions  such as calcium, magnesium and  potassium. Biochar helps soil hold  more nutrients and release them  gradually. It contributes to steady  supply of nutrients to plants over a  longer time period, which typically  affects plant growth in a positive  way. Moreover, by preventing  nutrient loss, farmers can reduce  the amount and/or frequency of  fertilizer use.

Activates and promotes  soil microorganisms 

Biochar changes the soil  microenvironment and affects  the soil microbial community  by promoting soil aggregation  (binding together). Because of  this advantage, biochar can be  used as a compost accelerator. By mixing biochar into the  composting process, more  nutrient-rich compost can be  made within a shorter period.

Neutralizes acidic soil 

In arid and semi-arid lands,  soil pH tends to be acidic. Under such conditions, nutrients become much  more difficult for most  plants to absorb from the  soil. Since biochar is typically slightly alkaline, it neutralizes acidic soil and  increases plant-available  nutrients. Plants are able to  absorb a wider range of  nutrients more easily which contributes to better plant growth. 

How to activate biochar with animal manure:

1. Make your biochar wet, liquids help the nutrients move. Pour water over the biochar pile until it starts leaking out.

2. Mix the manure and the biochar well. The ratio of manure to biochar should be around 1:1. The mix should turn out moist, you can add more water if it is dry.  

3. Let mixture sit for a while so the nutrients from the manure can soak into the pores f the biochar.

Note: You can use manure of any livestock. However, to avoid the possibility of transmitting disease never use human waste.

Always practice good sanitation after handling any kind of manure.

We are seeking funds to create kilns for locals in the community to make additional biochar. We believe this will increase yields for farmers, enrich soils and generate more food for local communities.