Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Bio-char and smallholder farmers in Kenya - improved use efficiency of farm-level organic resources in relation to energy, crops and soil

Pays/Région : Kenya

Date : 1 January 2013–31 December 2015

Identifiant : 2013-00182_VR

Présentation
Bio-char and smallholder farmers in Kenya - improved use efficiency of farm-level organic resources in relation to energy, crops and soil. Bio-char attracts attention for its potential to sequester C and enhance soil fertility.

The objective is to bring evidence on the role bio-char can play in small-holder farming systems. The hypothesis is that crop productivity and energy availability can be improved through introduction of biochar-producing stoves and use of biochar in soils, even when considering alternative uses of organic resources and labour. This will be tested by studying (1) organic resource availability and current use (2) energy efficiency and emissions when cooking and producing biochar (3) effects of different quality bio-char on crop productivity and soil biological, chemical and physical processes and (4) the socio-economic challenges of production and use of bio-char. Results will be used to propose better ways to use farm organic resources for improved impacts on energy, farm output and soil health.

Coordination : Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Financement : Swedish Research Council
Budget : 2,595,000 kr

Swecris project database