SANYATI-A new farmers’ network dedicated to biochar production has been established in Sanyati by the Organic Farming Academy (OFA) in partnership with the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU). The initiative, part of a broader climate resilience and soil health strategy, empowers local farmers to turn cotton stems previously a disposal challenge into valuable biochar using a low-tech, open-pit method.
This marks an expansion of a biochar project started in late 2023 by OFA and CarbonConnect, a carbon-removal startup working to scale sustainable solutions for smallholder farmers.
OFA trainers have been actively conducting workshops in Sanyati, introducing farmers to biochar production using cone-shaped open pits, a method both accessible and environmentally friendly.
“We’ve so far met with close to 400 farmers, all of whom expressed strong interest in producing biochar using this simple technique.Once they understood how biochar could improve soil fertility and help fight climate change, enthusiasm skyrocketed,” said Doreen Ngwenyama, a senior trainer with OFA.
The Sanyati region, known for its cotton farming, has long struggled with the disposal of cotton stems, often burned or discarded. Through this project, those stems are now transformed into a soil amendment that enhances crop yields while sequestering carbon.
OFA’s biochar consultant, Tafadzwa Nyamande, explains the simplicity behind the process:
“We use the ‘open pit method, which involves digging a cone-shaped hole in the ground. A fire is started at the bottom, and thin layers of feedstock in this instance cotton stems are added gradually to minimize smoke. Once the pit is full, it’s quenched with water to cool and extinguish the fire. The end result is biochar, a charcoal-like substance rich in carbon.”
The plan is to scale this initiative to include a network of nearly 1,000 farmers, positioning it as a key climate action and land restoration model in the region.