Feature By Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen As I traveled through the Upper East, North East, Upper West, Northern, and Savannah regions, I heard a recurring theme from farmers: frustration. The source of their frustration was not drought, pests, or diseases, but rather the high cost of agrochemicals, particularly fertilizers. However, their concerns are deeply intertwined with the escalating impacts of climate change. Farmers in these regions, who rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, expressed their concerns about the escalating prices of fertilizers. They lamented that the high cost of these essential inputs was eating into their profits, making it difficult for them to sustain their farming businesses. Climate change has exacerbated this issue, as rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns have led to decreased crop yields, forcing farmers to rely more heavily on agrochemicals to maintain productivity. Moreover, the intensive use of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity – all of which are further exacerbated by climate change. As temperatures rise, soil moisture decreases, and extreme weather events become more frequent, the use of chemical fertilizers can have devastating consequences for the environment. The farmers’ concerns are not unfounded. Climate change is projected to increase temperatures in West Africa by up to 3.5°C by 2100, leading to more frequent droughts, floods, and heatwaves. This will have a disproportionate impact on smallholder farmers, who are already struggling to adapt to the changing climate. Grass Biochar a game changer The concept of biochar has been around for over 2,000 years, dating back to the “slash-and-burn” agricultural method practiced by ancient civilizations. However, the modern understanding and application of biochar as a tool for environmental management and climate change mitigation have developed significantly over the past few decades. The term “biochar” emerged in the early 2000s, in conjunction with growing concerns about soil management and carbon sequestration.¹ Since then, research and development of biochar technologies have accelerated, with various organizations and initiatives promoting its use as a sustainable solution for environmental and agricultural challenges. Some notable milestones in the development of biochar include: A. 2001: The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) was established to promote the use of biochar for environmental management and climate change mitigation. B. 2009: The IBI published a report highlighting the potential of biochar to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon in soils. C. 2012: Researchers began exploring the use of biochar as a soil amendment to improve soil fertility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. D. 2024: The Biochar Basics series was published, providing introductory information on biochar used as a container substrate component. Today, biochar is recognized as a multifunctional material with various applications, including carbon sequestration, soil fertilization, water filtration, and contaminant immobilization. Innovative Grass Biochar Offers Promising Solutions for Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture However, despite all these years of Biochar existence, no scientist or researcher has come out with the innovation of ‘Grass Biochar’. Fortunately, following the skyrocketing increase of chemical fertilizers and some other farming inputs which has become huge challenge for farmers especially in the northern parts of Ghana, in a groundbreaking development, Prof. David Millar of the Millar Institute for transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS) went into research and later came out with ‘Grass Biochar’, an organic fertilizer with the potential to significantly combat climate change while promoting sustainable agriculture. This innovative product harnesses the power of biochar, derived from grass, to provide numerous environmental benefits. One of the key advantages of ‘Grass Biochar’ is its ability to store carbon in the soil for extended periods. By converting grass into biochar, the carbon is locked away, effectively reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and helping to slow global warming. Studies indicate that widespread adoption of biochar could remove up to 10 gigatons of CO2-equivalent from the atmosphere annually, with the potential to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions by 10-20%. In addition to its carbon-sequestering properties, Grass Biochar enhances soil health by improving fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity. This leads to better plant growth, reduced soil erosion, and healthier ecosystems, as resilient soils can absorb and store even more carbon. Moreover, Grass Biochar plays a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It has shown effectiveness in lowering nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions from soils. By promoting efficient nutrient cycling, it minimizes the need for fertilizers, thus further decreasing N2O emissions. Grass Biochar also supports regenerative agriculture practices, which promote soil conservation and biodiversity. By utilizing readily available biomass like grass, its production encourages sustainable land management while also addressing the issue of waste, as grass is often viewed as a nuisance. The benefits of Grass Biochar extend to climate change adaptation as well. Fields enriched with biochar exhibit improved drought resilience and enhanced water retention, helping farmers navigate climate variability and extreme weather conditions effectively. Furthermore, the potential impact goes beyond environmental benefits. The Grass Biochar initiative could create job opportunities in production and application sectors. Enhanced soil fertility leads to improved crop yields, thereby bolstering food security and availability. To fully realize the climate change mitigation potential of Grass Biochar, government support is essential. Recommendations for action include research funding to explore optimal production methods and scalability, as well as policy incentives such as subsidies or carbon credits to encourage farmer adoption. Educating farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders about the benefits of biochar and best practices will also be crucial for successful implementation. Prof. Millar’s Grass Biochar not only presents a viable solution to tackle climate challenges but also promotes sustainable agriculture, ultimately contributing to a more secure food future. Engaging Prof. Millar, he emphasized that the resources required for grass biochar production are readily available at the local level, unlike chemical fertilizers. He revealed the project has reached 11 communities across 5 regions, aims to train women’s groups in the production of grass biochar, a revolutionary organic fertilizer. The impact of this initiative has been nothing short of remarkable. Women who were once struggling to make ends meet are now equipped with the knowledge
