Cambodian indigenous groups in rural provinces have found a reliable ally for increasing food production and eco-sustainability — it’s biochar.
Cambodia Sustainable Livelihood forIndigenous Community Project field team members work alongside 20 indigenous communities on training to produce biochar material, agricultural waste that when burned at extreme heat enhances soil health by capturing carbon in the soil. That’s sustainable agriculture.
Through local training sessions, indigenous crop producers learn to burn wasted biomass such as wood chips, rice husks, or sugar cane residues at high temperatures in special kilns to create biochar, which is then finely ground and mixed into the soil to enhance its fertility and structure.
This natural charcoal enhances soil and improves crop yields. Farms integrating biochar from rice husk biomass showed an increase in rice yields from 6.66 tons per hectare to 7.98 t/ha —that’s about a 16.5 percent increase in yield.
Actively using biochar not only boosts agricultural output but also plays a crucial role in combating climate change.Biochar captures carbon in the soil and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural production process.
CSLICP field trainers show how to create and integrate biochar into routine farming practices. Indigenous communities not only benefit from better crop yields but also contribute to conservation efforts. The organic fertilizer contributes to increased harvest yields, but also improves food security, making it a valuable asset in reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Beyond its agricultural benefits, using biochar also presents economic opportunities. Whether through selling surplus biochar or using it to enhance the productivity of cash crops, local farmers can generate additional income to improve their overall livelihoods.
The CSLICP initiative, brought toCambodia by the People of Japan through the Japan Social Development Fund, is being conducted by Analyzing Development Issues Centre and is administered by the World Bank Group.
Adopting the use of biochar is a win-win solution for indigenous farmers in Cambodia. It not only supports improving food security with increased food production but also promotes environmental protection by storing carbon in the soil, ultimately integrating sustainable practices for a healthier planet for everyone.
