Africa’s renowned agricultural heritage is a significant source of economic growth and tourism appeal. However, producing maize and other products also generates large amounts of waste, typically burned, resulting in CO2 emissions. This project avoids burning crop waste by transforming it into biochar, a charcoal-like substance that creates permanent carbon removals. Farmers can also use or sell biochar as an organic soil additive to reduce chemical pollution, increase income, and improve crop yields.

Where & Why

Norhern and Southern part of Tanzania is the birthplace of Tanzania’s maize industry.

Annually millions of organic agricultural are wasted daily. Traditionally, this waste is burned, producing hazardous smoke and releasing climate-warming CO2 into the air. On top of this, excessive use of chemical fertilizers creates an imbalance of nutrients in the soil, degrading its fertility. These chemicals also endanger human health when runoff leaches into drinking water. In rural parts of Tanzania, fertilizer contamination of water has led to widespread health complications such as kidney disease.

How & Who

This project will  transforms agricultural waste from maize (corns), rice and other agriculture residues into an environmentally friendly and valuable product. The project developer, Under tents, Vijana Inspiring Foundation and Maji Wells, works closely with the plantation owner, to create permanent carbon removals using ancient agricultural practices and innovative technology.

This begins by heating crop residues such as maize stems and rice waste in a kiln with low oxygen levels between 650º to 1,000ºC. On which the process will creates a charcoal-like substance called biochar. While it might not look exciting, biochar possesses a special climate-fighting property – a single kilogram removes roughly 2.2 kilograms of CO2 equivalent from the atmosphere. Because it retains moisture and attracts microorganisms, biochar can be used as an organic soil additive to improve soil health. Farmers mix the biochar with compost and plow it into the ground, where it, and the embodied carbon, will remain for up to 1,000 years.

This project shows that switching to organic farming is possible and financially attractive. Biochar is not just better for the environment and human health, it also improves crop yields, leading to greater revenues and enhanced food security. This rural household farmers under Vijiji BiCarbon project will gain additional benefits by selling their biochar to other farmers.

In addition,  they earn $120 for each carbon credit. Furthermore, biochar production creates new job opportunities for the local community. Currently, 20 Tanzanian youth are employed by the project as kiln operators.

This project is still in its early stages, but Under Tents hopes to scale it up quickly thanks to support from carbon credit sales. They expect to produce nearly 500,000 liters of biochar in 2024/2025, removing 111 metric tonnes of CO2e.

Environmental Benefits

• Mitigates climate change by locking carbon in the ground for up to a thousand years
• Improves soil and water quality by encouraging organic farming

Community Benefits

• Reduces harmful health conditions caused by water and air pollution
• Increases crop yields, improving food security
• Generates jobs and extra income for agricultural communities

Holistic Adventures with environmental footprint emissions removal.

Are you interested in exploring the diverse landscapes of Africa? The first step to an incredible vacation is getting in touch with our experts. Whether you want to go on safari in the Serengeti, learn about the Maasai culture in Kenya, or have breakfast with a giraffe, we can design the perfect itinerary together with you.

Our promise to you is that, your trip will be environmental friendly because a very trip you made will contribute on our carbon removal mission.