Biochar Technology Reforms Farming in Tanzania’s Semi-Arid Singida Region

In the semi-arid agroecology of Singida region, Tanzania, a remarkable transformation is underway. Smallholder farmers, once grappling with the challenges posed by climate change and uncertain rainfall patterns, are now embracing biochar technology as a lifeline to improved livelihoods and agricultural sustainability. This promising change is the result of the Enhanced Livelihoods through Commercial Agricultural Production (ELCAP) Project, a four-year Project implemented by the Stromme Foundation (SF) in Partnership with Sustainable Environment Management Action (SEMA).

The ELCAP Project operates in Iramba, Ikungi, and Manyoni district councils of Singida region, with a clear mission of enhancing the income levels of smallholder farmers, their households, and other stakeholders in the value chain through a multi-split approach that includes novel biochar formulation & application, market linkages, private sector partnerships, and the creation of green jobs. Four key crops i.e., maize, sorghum, sunflower, and pigeon peas are at the heart of this endeavor, forming the foundation for sustainable agriculture in the region.

The core of the project’s strategy lies in its focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation. In a region where soil moisture is often the limiting factor for crop production, the impact of climate change has disrupted traditional rainfall patterns, posing a grave threat to food security and economic stability. To address these challenges, the ELCAP Project not only provides timely weather information and advice to farmers but also introduces innovative technologies such as biochar.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from organic matter, is proving to be a game-changer for Singida’s smallholder farmers. When added to the soil, it enhances microbial life, increasing carbon storage and improving soil structure, texture, and porosity. These improvements translate to better water and nutrient retention, ultimately boosting crop yields.

In collaboration with strategic partners like Norges Geotekniske Institutt (NGI), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), and Engineers Without Borders (EWB), with funding from NORAD, SF, and SEMA introduced biochar technology to reinforce the resilience of vulnerable rural communities in Singida. NGI conducted training sessions for 1,500 smallholder farmers, both men and women, as well as 13 government extension staff, on biochar production and application.

One of the project’s early success stories revolves around Mr. Massawe, an Agriculture Extension Officer in Unyahati Ward, Ikungi district.

He generously provided his farm as a site for practical biochar demonstrations at the Oxen Training Center in Ikungi. After the training, Mr. Massawe took the initiative to test biochar’s effects on his maize crop.

In previous seasons, drought had plagued his maize fields, resulting in low yields, despite adhering to good agronomic practices and fertilizer application. However, during the 2022/2023 season, when he incorporated biochar into his farming practices, something remarkable happened. Despite the customary dry spell in February 2023, Mr. Massawe’s maize crop remained resilient, showing no signs

of wilting. His yield propelled from 500 kgs to an astonishing 1000 kgs, a staggering 100% increase. Even more impressively, the weight of each maize bag, of the same variety, increased from 100 kgs to 115 kgs. This incredible transformation was attributed to improved moisture retention in the soil, giving a proper grain fill.

Alongside biochar technology, the ELCAP Project has also introduced other good agronomic practices, including tied and open ridges, tillage methods for enhanced soil moisture conservation, the use of improved maize varieties, and organic fertilizer application. Inspired by his success, Mr. Massawe has pledged to become an advocate for biochar as an effective tool in mitigating the impact of climate change in semi-arid areas like Singida and Dodoma.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Massawe emphasized that the ELCAP project had emerged as a bonfire of expectation for enhancing the livelihoods of poor communities in the semi-arid regions of Tanzania, particularly in Singida. Through increased agricultural production, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions like biochar, the project is charting a path toward a brighter and more resilient future for the region’s farmers and their families.

Lessons Learned:

The project’s emphasis on building resilience and sustainability in agriculture is crucial. By improving soil health and enhancing moisture retention, biochar and other practices contribute to long-term agricultural viability, even in semi-arid regions.

In conclusion, the story of biochar adoption in Singida region offers valuable insights into how innovative agricultural technologies, combined with education, local leadership, and collaborative efforts, can contribute to improved livelihoods, food security, and resilience in the face of climate change.