Biomass Utilization by Sustainable Harvest for biochar stove - BUSH project

Problem statement

While bush encroachment constitutes an immense challenge for Namibia, it also opens significant commercial, as well as unprecedented socio-economic and ecological opportunities, with the sustainable utilization of related biomass for biochar production

Executive summary

The project titled Biomass Utilisation by Sustainable Harvest (BUSH) ran from November 2018 to July 2021. The sub-project on 'Biochar Production, Processing and Testing', looked at how biochar can create income for farmers and entrepreneurs as well as benefits for crop and rangelands.

The project developed prototypes for stoves that heat water or allow cooking while producing biochar.

Technology description

Portable stoves have been developed as prototypes that use agricultural waste, wood cuttings and native bushes as feedstock for the production of biochar. The stoves also heat water and allow cooking during their operation

Market deployment considerations

Biochar is made accessible to many Namibians. It can also be instrumental in rangeland restoration and horticulture production: adding biochar to soils can create housing for beneficial microbes, return minerals and increase water holding capacity. The optimization of the technology will continue in DIVAGRI H2020 project.

Environmental considerations