Potential Development of Biochar in Africa as an Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change Impact on Agriculture

Abstract

One of the most important obstacles to increasing agricultural production yields worldwide, especially in developing economies such as those in Africa is the continued degradation of soils due to climate change. In response to this threat, one of the strategies advocated is biochar technology, which is one of the emerging sustainable and climate-friendly soil amendments. This article reviews a brief description of biochar, the advantages and disadvantages of its use, and the prospects for developing its potential impact on agricultural productivity in African countries with a case study in Burkina Faso. Biochar is mainly useful for soil carbon sequestration, increasing and maintaining soil fertility, environmental management, and as a renewable energy source. However, it can have secondary effects including negative impacts on human health, pollution, and water quality. Furthermore, the positive results of biochar use in Africa suggest a prospect for ensuring the feasibility of biochar technology in policy decisions as a sustainable alternative to agricultural land management in the combat against climate change. As recommendations, a combination of improved seed varieties, and SWC (Soil and Water Conservation) techniques with the application of Biochar will be a perfect innovation for an intelligent adaptation practice to the destructive action of climate change in agriculture.