Climate Resilient Soil Management Through Biochar Production

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Project Snapshot

Ask Amount

KES 3,430,000

Project Stage

Pilot

Launch Date

Sunday, February 4th, 2024

Project Manager

Enocka Odongo

Project Partners Inc

• Smallholder farmers • Rice Mills • Sugarcane mills • Farmers’ groups (Common Interest Groups) • County Government of Kisumu (Department of Agriculture and Climate Change Unit) • Schools

Project Summary

The Gracious Mission Biochar Project aims to improve soil health and food production for smallholder farmers by producing biochar from crop residues. This climate-smart initiative trains farmers to use biochar as a sustainable soil amendment.

Intervention Areas

Climate Finance & Carbon ProjectsClimate-resilient Food SystemsCrop Production & AgribusinessSmallholder Support & ExtensionSustainable Agriculture & Agroecology

Target Population

Low-Income Individuals & FamiliesVulnerable or Marginalized Populations (General)

Problem Statement

Kenyan soils suffer from high acidity and low organic carbon due to overreliance on inorganic fertilizers. Farmers often burn crop residues, causing pollution and wasting potential resources for soil regeneration.

Proposed Solution

The project develops a scalable model for biochar production using agricultural waste. It trains 300 farmers, focusing on women and youth, to produce and apply biochar to improve soil pH and structure.

Expected Impact

Expected impacts include increased crop yields, enhanced food security, and climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. The project also reduces air pollution by eliminating the open burning of crop residues.

Sustainability Plan

Sustainability is driven by a commercial strategy to sell standardized biochar as an organic fertilizer. Establishing market linkages between producers and buyers ensures a profitable, self-sustaining value chain.

Budget Breakdown

Title Amount (KES) Notes