Biochar for Agriculture

For over one hundred years, farmers have adopted an industrial approach to farming. This is understandable, given that the world population has increased significantly, now exceeding 8 billion. To feed the world, we have relied on intensive farming, but we are only now beginning to understand its consequences. We need to reassess the situation, and biochar represents one small part of the solution.

Key reasons why biochar is good for agriculture:

• Biochar enhances soil fertility by retaining and slowly releasing essential nutrients, thanks to its carbon rich porous structure.
• Increases soil organic matter.
• Biochar’s porous structure enables it to hold water, making it particularly beneficial in arid regions or during dry spells, and helping crops withstand drought conditions
• Biochar stabilizes carbon and decreases the emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, effectively reducing the overall greenhouse gas emissions from soil.
• Reduces reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Studies have shown that biochar can increase crop yields by improving soil health, nutrient availability, and water retention.
• Biochar provides a habitat for beneficial soil microbes, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling and promoting plant growth.
• Produced as a byproduct of biomass pyrolysis, biochar is a sustainable material that aids in carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change while boosting agricultural productivity