T H E E N V I R O N M E N T

Food Production: The Biochar factor

AUTHOR: Silpa Kanghono Coordinator:DigitalMarketingandEvents @ RDJ Publishing

Unknown to many, for over two thousand years, biochar has been used by humans as a soil enhancer as it directly supports the provision of nutrients for plant uptake. Today, the biochar added is more often explored on an industrial scale, allowing the generation of natural soil nutrients by safe, low-emitting, and resource-efficient technology

The Institute for Sustainability defines biochar as “carbon-rich material that is made from biomass through a thermochemical conversion process known as pyrolysis”. In simple terms, this is the residue obtained from the process of burning organic material from plant material Its ancient use in agriculture implies its potential benefits in sustainable crop production and environmental remediation

Biochar is actually a form of charcoal It is made through a process called pyrolysis which involves the burning of biomass in an oven with little or no oxygen. What you get out of it is a solid material which then is added to soil.

FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES – AFRICA

Africa’s food production system is at risk and facing several challenges which include extreme weather, climate change, pests, and diseases. After the Covid 19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, the food chain supply has been disrupted leaving Africa with no option but to invest in local food production “Free or cheap food imports have made local food production in Africa less competitive and, in turn, shifted consumer preferences away from local brands to foreign ones As a result,

Foresight Africa in their 2023 Report, notes Africa is now the most food-import-dependent region in the world, dedicating more than 13 percent of its import expenditure to buying food and agricultural commodities.”.

Africa has a long history of food dependency and a s a result, any major shock could result into severe trade disruptions, increased hunger, and pass-through inflation, eroding both household and public budgets To avoid this, Africa needs to invest in biochar which involves enhancing agricultural productivity by improving farm management techniques. This will not only ensure the availability of affordable food, but it will also help countries attain several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly supporting SDG #2 Zero hunger and SDG #3 Good Health and Wellbeing Revolutionizing food production in Africa will improve the continent’s development prospects and build resilience

Biochar can support food production in several ways:

1. Soil Improvement: Biochar can enhance soil fertility and productivity. When added to soil, it acts as a longlasting carbon sink, retaining nutrients, water, and beneficial microorganisms Biochar improves soil structure, increases water-holding capacity, and promotes nutrient retention, reducing the need for irrigation and fertilizers. It also mitigates soil erosion, enhancing the stability and health of agricultural lands.

2. Nutrient Retention: Biochar has a high cation exchange capacity, which means it can absorb and retain essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium By reducing nutrient leaching and runoff, biochar helps prevent soil degradation and nutrient loss, ensuring that crops have access to the necessary nutrients for growth.

3. Microbial Activity: Biochar serves as a habitat for beneficial microorganisms in the soil These microorganisms support plant growth by aiding in nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, and disease suppression Biochar promotes a favorable environment for these beneficial microbes, leading to healthier soil and improved crop yields. Biochar lowers soil acidity increases buttering capacity, and increases plant productivity with an average yield increase of 10%-40%.

4 Carbon Sequestration: Biochar is a form of stable carbon derived from organic matter When applied to soil, it sequesters carbon, helping to mitigate climate change by removing atmospheric CO2 and storing it in a solid form for centuries. This carbon sequestration potential makes biochar a valuable tool for carbon offset programs and sustainable agricultural practices. Biochar carbon persists in soil for hundreds to thousands of years. By increasing pH, porosity, and water availability, biochar can create favourable conditions for root development andmicrobialfunctions.

5. Waste Management: Due to biochar's excellent adsorption properties, it has potential applications in industrial and environmental applications including water and wastewater treatment and remediation and revegetation of contaminated soils. Biochar can be produced from various organic waste materials, such as agricultural residues, wood chips, and crop residues. By converting these waste materials into biochar, it offers a sustainableapproachtowastemanagement,reducingthe environmental impact of organic waste while creating a valuablesoilamendment

Biochar, therefore, contributes to food agriculture production by improving soil fertility and controlling pollution of rivers and groundwater It also provides simultaneous economic benefits: It improves the agronomic and environmental sustainability of biomass production systems Benefits go further in that it also improves the economic sustainability of bioenergy enterprises by offsetting feedstock purchases with revenue from biochar sales Biochar has the capacity to produce revenue and boost the sustainability of agricultureandtheenvironment

Theuseandbenefitsofbiocharasacarbonsequesterand soil conditioner have propelled its demand and use in the agriculture sector worldwide Biochar has the capacity to produce revenue and boost the sustainability of agriculture and the environment Using biochar in production agriculture should improve yields and reduce negativeimpactsontheenvironment

What do you think about biochar and food production? Connectwithusat briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings: https://www rit edu/sustainabilityinstitute/blog/what-biocharand-how-it-made#: :text=Biochar%20is%20a%20carbonrich,with%20a%20focus%20on%20biochar https://www sciencedirect com/science/article/abs/pii/S03014797

14005684 https://www biogreen-energy com/biocharproduction#:~:text=Biochar%20is%20mainly%20used%20in,farmin g%20as%20an%20animal%20feed https://www intechopen com/chapters/72668 https://edis ifas ufl edu/publication/SS585

How biochar works, and when it doesn't: A review of mechanisms controlling soil and plant responses to biochar - Joseph - 2021GCB Bioenergy - Wiley Online Library https://www siani se/news-story/doing-wonders-biochar-soilquality-africa-how-do-we-take-it-next-level/ https://www brookings edu/essay/food-security-strengtheningafricas-food-systems/