Large scale biochar production in Ghana

Connecting biochar companies to develop understanding of global biochar initiatives

Project Partners: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Soil Research Institute (SRI)(CSIR-SRI) and University of Reading

Biochar is produced by burning organic materials in the absence of oxygen. It converts atmospherically derived carbon within biomass into a stable pool where it can be stored in soils. Application of biochar to soils can adjust the pH and increase the fertility of acidic tropical soils, increase the soil water holding capacity, and increase nutrient use efficiency. It is generally produced at small scales in West Africa using homemade kilns, but larger kilns are used in Brazil to generate large quantities of biochar, generate energy, and create carbon credits to offset emissions elsewhere.

This travel grant aims to establish a collaboration between biochar companies in Brazil, The Soil Research Institute of Ghana, and the University of Reading, to facilitate the identification of key barriers and enablers to large scale biochar plant establishment in Ghana. Scientists from the UK and Ghana will visit Brazil to aid understanding about three core areas including:

1. How these beneficial facilities operate daily.
2. How they manage biomass collection and processing.
3. How they work successfully with local communities.

Brazil is in a strategic position to lead biochar initiatives due to its enormous availability of biomass from agriculture and forestry. Waste such as sugarcane bagasse, rice husks, coffee husks and eucalyptus remains, which were previously discarded or burned, now represent a sustainable source for biochar production.

Harnessing traditional knowledge for future development

In addition, the country has a unique historical heritage with Terra Preta soils (fertile Amazonian dark earth soils made 500-2500 years ago by pre-Columbian indigenous peoples using biochar), which have demonstrated the beneficial effects of biochar-like materials in increasing soil fertility and carbon retention over centuries. This combination of natural resources and traditional knowledge provides a solid foundation for the development of the industry.

Aligned to the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) objectives, this partnership will develop clear plans for future innovation projects aiming to improve the efficiency and scale of biochar production in Ghana, while reducing the negative environmental and human health impacts of the industry. It draws on proven solutions from other countries which have faced similar challenges previously, to help meet Ghana’s development goals. In doing so, it supports several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17). Future work arising from this partnership will promote resilience, food security and prosperity in Ghana.

For more information

For more information on this project, contact us, or view all projects funded under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership programme.

Innovate UK Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership: UK-Brazil-Africa brings together innovative people and organisations to promote climate-smart agriculture in Africa.