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

Titre : Farm-level production and use of biochar in Kenya – energy, farm management and climate change mitigation potential

Pays/Région : Kenya

Date : 1 January 2016–31 December 2018

Identifiant : 2015-03180_VR

Présentation
Bio-char attracts attention for the potential to enhance soil fertility, sequester carbon and provide options for energy-efficient and labour-reducing food preparation through bio-char producing stoves. Understanding the role of biochar for improved food and energy security, poverty alleviation and gender dynamics requires a multi-disciplinary approach.

Building on a first stage exploratory project, the goals of the proposed project are to identify and develop, together with farmers, niches for on-farm smallholder biochar production and use in various agro-ecological, socio-cultural and gender landscapes. Research methodologies in the proposed project include both participatory action research to provide on-farm science-based evidence related to real life localized production of biochar in gasifying cookstoves (WP1) and use of biochar in the farming system (WP3) and strategic research further characterizing biochar properties in relation to production methods and quality aspects (WP2) and assessing biochar contributions to improved food security in small holder farming systems and climate change mitigation (WP4). The project will run for 4 years, in three sites in Kenya, involving a multi-disciplinary team (environmental engineer, socio-economists, agronomists and soil scientists) of experienced researchers from SLU, LU, IITA and ICRAF. The proposed project will fill engendered knowledge gaps on understanding farmer’s constraints and opportunities in relation to producing and using biochar on-farm, as well as understanding contributions of biochar production and use to food security, energy security and climate change mitigation. With this knowledge, it will be possible to identify when and how biochar can be beneficial components in bio-based economies.

Coordination : KTH, Royal Institute of Technology

Financement : Swedish Research Council
Budget : 3,300,000 kr

Swecris project database