Biochar project seeks to restore soil fertility and boost farm production

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A pilot biochar project is being implemented in Busia, Siaya and Kisumu counties that seeks to address declination in soil fertility and boost agricultural production by converting agricultural waste into a soil-enhancing product.

Speaking after visiting the Bio Kenya project in Tangakona, Nambale Sub-county, Prof. Winston Akalla, Principal of Koitalel Samoe University College, said there is a need to develop sustainable mechanisms to restore soil fertility and increase farm productivity.

Prof. Akalla attributed declining soil productivity to persistent cultivation and prolonged use of fertilizers, saying agricultural waste from sugar and rice processing industries could be converted into biochar to improve soil fertility and crop yields.

“Due to persistent cultivation and the use of fertilizers in our farming, our soil has been affected and is no longer productive. The bagasse from sugar and rice industries can be processed to produce biochar, which can help improve production on our farms,” he said.

He said the use of biochar had shown potential to increase production across different types of crops, particularly when combined with manure.

“The project is currently at the pilot stage and is being implemented in the counties of Busia, Siaya and Kisumu. Biochar, when incorporated with manure, can help farmers in this region grow sugarcane, cassava and maize and achieve higher yields,” Prof. Akalla said.

He added that the pilot Phase would help identify challenges and areas that need to be strengthened before the technology is rolled-out across the country.

“The plan is to ensure that after the pilot stage, we identify the challenges and address them. Thereafter, through our partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, we will seek to establish biochar production across the country,” he said.

Kizito Kwena of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), said declining soil fertility was contributing to low agricultural production among farmers, making it necessary to adopt technologies that could increase food production on shrinking farmland.

“The level of production among our farmers is low even as the available land continues to shrink. This creates a need to develop ways of increasing food production to sustain the growing population,” he said.

Kwena said the project could also create employment opportunities for young people as biochar production expands.

He noted that increased production would enable farmer cooperatives to process, package and market biochar to other farmers, creating new income-generating opportunities.

“This project provides an alternative way of producing biochar fertilizer that will aid agricultural production. When production increases, cooperatives will be able to produce more, package it and sell it to other farmers, thereby creating opportunities for our young people,” he said.

Samson Kambira, Vice Chairperson of Tangakona Commercial Village Farmers’ Cooperative Society, said he had experienced improved production after using biochar on his farm.

“The use of biochar improves soil texture and brings new life to the soil. It helps maize remain healthy throughout the growing season. I have used it on my farm, and the result has been increased production,” Kambira said.

He added that biochar could provide longer-lasting soil benefits compared with fertilizers applied for only one season.

“The use of biochar is not a one-season fertilizer. After applying it, you can still find the soil retaining nutrients even after a year. My call to farmers is that we should embrace the use of this fertilizer to ensure we produce more from our farms,” he said.

By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi

Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.