Biochar as an agrifood innovation: evidence and lessons for integration into agricultural landscapes

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dc.creatorSomorin, Tosin
dc.creatorAkanno, C.
dc.creatorOsei-Amponsah, Charity
dc.creatorGebrezgabher, Solomie A.
dc.creatorMupangwa, W.
dc.creatorAdamtey, Noah
dc.creatorNartey, Eric Gbenatey
dc.creatorLord, R.
dc.creatorEnnis, C.
dc.creatorZhang, X.
dc.creatorFletcher, A.
dc.creatorLue, L.
dc.creatorLi, J.
dc.date2025-12-30
dc.date2026-01-21T18:03:08Z
dc.date2026-01-21T18:03:08Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T18:36:36Z
dc.descriptionThis report examines biochar as an agrifood innovation within circular bioeconomy and multifunctional landscape frameworks, with a focus on its relevance for smallholder agriculture in the Global South. Produced from organic residues through thermochemical processes, biochar offers a pathway to restore degraded soils, valorize waste, and support climate mitigation and adaptation. Evidence shows that biochar can improve soil structure, nutrient retention, and water-holding capacity, enhancing crop resilience in sandy and drought-prone environments while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. However, its effectiveness is highly context-dependent. Outcomes vary with feedstock quality, production technology, soil conditions, and application practices. Risks include inconsistent agronomic performance, potential contamination, feedstock competition, and uncertain climate benefits when full life-cycle impacts are overlooked. Slow pyrolysis is the most suitable option for low-cost, rural settings, while advanced technologies remain less accessible. Biochar is therefore neither a silver bullet nor a flawed concept, but a promising tool whose benefits depend on careful design, regulation, and integration into locally appropriate, inclusive systems.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/180325
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/160730
dc.languageen
dc.publisherInternational Water Management Institute
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceSomorin, T.; Akanno, C.; Osei-Amponsah, C.; Gebrezgabher, S.; Mupangwa, W.; Adamtey, N.; Nartey, E. G.; Lord, R.; Ennis, C.; Zhang, X.; Fletcher, A.; Lue, L.; Li, J. 2025. Biochar as an agrifood innovation: evidence and lessons for integration into agricultural landscapes. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 76p. (Resource Recovery and Reuse Series 27). doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2025.253
dc.subjectresource recovery
dc.subjectresource management
dc.subjectreuse
dc.subjectwaste management
dc.subjectbiochar
dc.subjectagrifood systems
dc.subjectinnovation systems
dc.subjectagricultural landscape
dc.subjectagricultural soils
dc.subjectsoil quality
dc.subjectsoil fertility
dc.subjectorganic wastes
dc.subjectclimate change mitigation
dc.subjectclimate change adaptation
dc.subjectclimate resilience
dc.subjectsoil water retention
dc.subjectnutrient availability
dc.subjectbiomass
dc.subjectcarbon sequestration
dc.subjectsoil organic carbon
dc.subjectfeedstocks
dc.subjectbusiness models
dc.subjectsmallholders
dc.subjectfarmers
dc.subjectsmall-scale farming
dc.subjectcircular economy
dc.subjectbioeconomy
dc.subjecttechnology
dc.subjectpyrolysis
dc.subjectrisk
dc.subjectregulations
dc.subjectGlobal South
dc.titleBiochar as an agrifood innovation: evidence and lessons for integration into agricultural landscapes
dc.typeReport

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Instituto Internacional para el Manejo del Agua (IWMI)