National: Thailand
Title: Strengthening a Network of Biochar Producers to Meet the Growing Demand for Biochar-Based Products.
Link: https://www.echocommunity.org/en/regions/Asia
Summary:
This project aims to address the increasing demand for biochar-based products by building a robust network of biochar producers, promoters, and entrepreneurs. Biochar is a special form of charcoal that is a powerfully simple tool to combat climate change. Biochar offers a multi-pronged solution to issues around soil degradation, carbon removal, land-use challenges, water-use challenges, and economic development. Through targeted training and capacity-building efforts, small-scale producers in northern Thailand will be equipped with improved low-cost biochar production methods and an improved understanding of the market potential for biochar products. This initiative not only focuses on enhancing agroecological benefits to the farmer, such as soil improvement and waste recycling through biochar, but also strives to diversify the farm economy of these producers. Furthermore, the project seeks to connect these small-scale producers to the global carbon credit market, ensuring additional economic opportunities. Overall, this endeavor aspires to create a strong, interconnected community of biochar stakeholders across Thailand and Southeast Asia to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices.
The improvement in soil fertility from using biochar can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the biochar, soil type, climate, and management practices. However, generally speaking, biochar has the potential to significantly enhance soil fertility through several mechanisms: Nutrient Retention: Biochar has a high surface area and porous structure, which allows it to absorb and retain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. This retention can help prevent nutrient leaching and make them more available to plants over time. Microbial Activity: Biochar can serve as a habitat for beneficial soil microbes, enhancing microbial activity and diversity. This can improve nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and overall soil health. Water Retention: The porous structure of biochar can also improve soil water retention, reducing water runoff and increasing water availability to plants, especially in sandy or loamy soils.
Overall, the use of biochar has the potential to significantly improve soil fertility over time, leading to increased crop yields, better plant health, and improved sustainability of agricultural systems. However, the extent of improvement will depend on various factors, and it’s important to consider biochar application as part of an integrated soil management approach. Our main approach will be to work with small-scale farmers to produce high-quality biochar using their own farm waste materials, using low-cost kion designs.
Location: Provinces: Mae Hong Son, Tak, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang also via scholarships, N Cambodia, N Laos, N Myanmar
Duration: 12 months
Activities:
1: Building a northern Thailand biochar production and application extension program
2: Teach smallholder farmers about the potential of global carbon markets, connect small-scale producers of biochar to the global carbon credit market and train them to use online app for certifying their char.
3: Organization of a 1-week regional ‘Biochar Academy’ event
4: Production and dissemination of written and virtual media pertaining to the benefits of biochar through each organizations growing networks (thousands) via each consortium member’s respective online technical resourcing platforms, i.e. www.echocommunity.org ; www.biochar-international.org .
Document:
Budget granted by ALiSEA: 18,000 EUR