Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

From Waste to Value

  • OFA is making biochar using baobab husks as our biomass. 
  • Our biochar journey was inspired by the observation that huge piles of these husks were taken as waste and a nuisance, left to decompose or otherwise burnt; both cases which would lead to significant GHG emissions. 
  • What is biochar? Biochar is a carbon-rich, charcoal-like solid made from organic matter (such as maize cobs, stems, tree prunnings, etc). When organic matter (also called biomass) faces high heat in the absence of oxygen, it changes form to become biochar through the process of thermochemical conversion, known as pyrolysis. (Source: International Biochar Initiative)

We are happy to discuss your biochar needs.

 

OFA currently employs 24 Artisans who make biochar daily up to a capacity of 80 tons per month. We proceed to train farmers on thermal compost making and how to mix biochar with compost to create an organic fertilizer.

How well Recognized is Biochar
  • Biochar is recognized by the IPCC as a negation emissions technology.
  • When biomass decomposes naturally, it releases greenhouse gasses (GHG) into the atmosphere — living plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2 ) via photosynthesis throughout their life and once they die, all of this CO2 is released back into the air.
  • However, when biomass is transformed into biochar through pyrolysis, the carbon can instead be stored for hundreds of years (or more), preventing such GHG emissions.
Why Biochar
  • What are the benefits of biochar? 
  • In addition to storing carbon, this carbon-rich product offers a wide array of other benefits. 
  • When applied to soil, biochar behaves as an amendment able to increase the availability of water and nutrients while balancing soil composition. 
  • This breeds healthy soil, which increases plant growth/crop yields whilst reducing the need for excess fertilizers and irrigation. 
  • Biochar has thus been used in a number of diverse agricultural applications over several centuries across the world, notably in the context of circularity, organic or regenerative farming.
Global Artisan C-Sink
  • Carbon Standards International (CSI) CSI was the first standard to distribute a certificate to attest the sustainable production of biochar, through the European Carbon Certification (EBC). 
  • The organization has now developed two biochar methodologies: the Global Biochar C-sink methodology to quantify emissions removal of a broad range of biochar activities; and the Global Artisan C-Sink methodology, which OFA uses, targeting the artisanal production of biochar most notably by small-scale farmers located in lower income countries.

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