Photo courtesy of Robert Flanagan
Biochar is a 2,000-year-old practice that converts agricultural waste into a soil enhancer that can hold carbon, boost food security and discourage deforestation. The process creates a fine-grained, highly porous charcoal that helps soils retain nutrients and water.
Biochar also improves water quality and quantity by increasing soil retention of nutrients and agrochemicals for plant and crop utilization. More nutrients stay in the soil instead of leaching into groundwater and causing pollution.
In 2006 CATF supported an evaluation on biochar research gaps and co-founded the International Biochar Initiative (IBI), which seeks to develop practical demonstrations and commercial development for capturing and storing carbon from a wide range of feedstocks, including wastes and manures. CATF continues to plays an active role in IBI.
