[Terrapreta] Biochar in the Sahel?

[Tom Miles]

Bakary Jatta

Charcoal would be a natural complement to the techniques that the DCG has
been using in Mali.
See: Integrated Plant Nutrition Management in Mali pdf Summary Report
1998-2004    
http://www.drylands-group.org/noop/file.php?id=512

I haven't heard of the Women's group but it is encouraging that biochar is
being tried. The related Cornell University work has been in Kenya and
Zambia.

Making char from biomass rubbish sounds like where terra preta started. :-)

Regards,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Bakary Jatta
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 1:34 PM
To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Biochar in the Sahel?

Dear Tom,

Thank you for this post. Good to find out what is happening in my area.

I saw the mention of char being incorporated in soil in Mali by an
organization working with women some time ago. It mentioned that this was to
be introduced in other West African countries, including Senegal and The
Gambia. However, I have not yet been able to find out the who or where in
the case of The Gambia.

 So far one neighbor has asked me to make a metal drum retort for him. He
has regularly been incinerating his biomass rubbish just to get rid of it.
Part of the 'rubbish' are his tree prunings, which will provide him with
charcoal for fuel purposes. Perhaps I will find some more converts after
him.

Warm regards,

Bakary Jatta

Bwiam village, Western Region