"Empowering Mugara Village: The Impact of Biochar Training on Agricultural Transformation in Burundi"

Farmers in Mugara learning hands-on biochar production techniques and its application in field trials, facilitated by trainers from Warm Heart DR Congo.

In October 2023, Olivier Majambere, a student at the African Leadership University, collaborated with Warm Heart Worldwide to conduct a biochar training program in Mugara, Rumonge, Burundi. The goal of this initiative was to introduce farmers to biochar technology as a means to enhance soil fertility, improve crop yields, and strengthen food security in Burundi.

Burundi faces a critical food insecurity challenge, with 41.2% of its population (5.4 million people) struggling to access sufficient food, according to the 2023 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA). Rural areas, particularly smallholder farmers, experience even greater food insecurity at a rate of 44%. Since 2019, declining crop yields have exacerbated food shortages and malnutrition, making it imperative to explore sustainable agricultural solutions.

Biochar-based fertilizers, when mixed with animal manure, offer a low-cost and effective solution to restore soil fertility and increase agricultural productivity. Additionally, biochar has broader benefits, including carbon sequestration, improving livestock nutrition, and serving as an alternative energy source. This training aimed to address these challenges and promote a long-term solution for Burundian farmers.

The training took place in February 2024 and provided participants with hands-on learning opportunities. Following the success of this initiative, BioAmak, a social enterprise fighting food insecurity and climate change by converting agricultural waste into biochar, a resource that revitalizes soil health was established to continue promoting biochar-based fertilizers in Burundi. Through collaborations with local farmers, BioAmak produces Eco-Flourish—a biochar-based fertilizer that boosts soil fertility, reduces reliance on chemical alternatives, and supports carbon removal efforts. A follow-up visit in January 2025 assessed how well the farmers had implemented their knowledge and gathered valuable feedback on their experiences.

The biochar training program in Mugara brought together 63 farmers, including men and women from various educational backgrounds, ranging from primary school to college graduates.

 The sessions covered key aspects of biochar technology, including its role in improving soil health and nutrient retention, techniques for producing biochar using locally available materials, and methods for applying it in agriculture by mixing it with compost or manure to enhance crop yields. Additionally, participants explored other potential uses of biochar, such as its application in animal feed, as an alternative fuel source, and as a medium for water filtration.

The comprehensive nature of the training ensured that farmers gained practical knowledge on biochar production and application, empowering them to implement these techniques on their farms.

Trainer Pastor Waibera Evariste distributing biochar to farmers in the field, allowing them to see it firsthand while explaining its multifaceted benefits and theoretical session after the field demonstrations, trainers explained the diverse applications of biochar                                                          

Follow-Up Findings

The follow-up visit involved interviews with four farmers and observations of their farming practices to assess the training's impact. The findings revealed significant benefits, particularly in crop productivity and knowledge dissemination. Farmers who incorporated biochar with animal manure saw a 25–40% increase in yields for crops like maize and beans while also reducing their dependence on expensive chemical fertilizers, leading to higher incomes.

 Adolphe Sahinguvu, a training participant, asking questions to the trainers during the field demonstration before burning the biomass in the trench

Additionally, more than 70% of the trained farmers continued producing and applying biochar, with many passing on their knowledge to others, further expanding its adoption in the community

Success Story: Adolphe Sahinguvu’s Transformation

Adolphe Sahinguvu, a lifelong farmer in Mugara, initially depended on traditional farming methods and expensive chemical fertilizers, which were often unavailable or ineffective. When he attended the biochar training, he was skeptical but decided to test the technique on a small section of his farm, where he grew maize, beans, and vegetables.

Follow-up visit by Olivier Majambere, founder of BioAmak, and Eloge Niyomwungere, co-founder, to Adolphe’s farming community. Adolphe, his wife, and a neighbor explain to the visitors how he has been applying biochar, sharing his experiences, observations, outcomes, and the impact he has seen on his farm.

He applied biochar mixed with animal manure in a 1:4 ratio, using approximately 100 kg per hectare. The results were remarkable—his maize, rice, and bean harvests increased by 35%. Additionally, soil moisture retention improved, reducing the effort required for land preparation. By switching to biochar, Adolphe cut his fertilizer expenses by 40%, saving the equivalent of three 25kg fertilizer bags that previously cost between 90,000 and 120,000 BIF. These savings allowed him to invest in additional farming tools and expand biochar production.

However, the improved soil fertility also led to increased weed growth, necessitating more frequent weeding. Despite this, Adolphe saw the benefits of biochar and expanded its use across multiple plots over two planting seasons. He produced over 400 kg of biochar using agricultural waste and even experimented with biochar briquettes for cooking. Although manual production remains a challenge, he continues to explore ways to increase efficiency.

Inspired by his success, Adolphe and other farmers formed “Umuco BioAmak,” a cooperative dedicated to collective biochar production. His efforts have influenced more than 26 neighboring households, encouraging them to integrate biochar into their farming practices. “Biochar has transformed my land and my yields. I hope more farmers in Burundi can benefit from it,” he proudly shared.

Despite the positive impact of biochar adoption, farmers faced several challenges. Limited access to biomass was a major issue, as some farmers struggled to produce enough biochar due to small land sizes and a lack of drying facilities for agricultural residues. Additionally, knowledge gaps remained, with many farmers requiring further training on advanced application techniques. While most had successfully mixed biochar with compost or manure, they needed guidance on top-dressing methods and the optimal timing for application to maximize its benefits.

To overcome the challenges faced by farmers, key recommendations were proposed. Enhancing training support is essential, with future sessions focusing on advanced biochar application techniques, including top-dressing methods and ideal mixing ratios for different soil types. A suggested starting mix of one part biochar to four parts manure should be promoted, allowing flexibility based on local soil conditions. Additionally, improving material accessibility is crucial, and establishing community-based biochar production units could help address biomass shortages. These units would introduce efficient drying systems and collective processing facilities, ensuring a steady supply of biochar for farmers.

The Mugara biochar training program demonstrated that biochar is a viable and sustainable solution for improving soil health and increasing food production in Burundi. However, for biochar adoption to scale effectively, continued support and investment are essential.

BioAmak remains committed to working closely with farmers to refine biochar-based fertilizers and expand outreach efforts. By addressing food security and climate resilience challenges, biochar can play a crucial role in transforming Burundi’s agricultural landscape.

BioAmak team's prototyping of the biochar-based fertilizer using various types of biomass.

Cost Considerations

One of the key advantages of biochar is its cost-effectiveness compared to synthetic fertilizers. Farmers who transitioned to biochar reported a 40% reduction in fertilizer expenses. Since chemical fertilizers for smallholder farmers typically cost between 90,000 and 120,000 BIF per 25kg bag, biochar has enabled them to reinvest their savings into improving farm operations.

Additionally, increased soil fertility has led to higher crop yields, ensuring greater financial returns for farmers. By continuing to promote biochar technology, communities can achieve long-term sustainability in food production while reducing environmental impact.

As biochar adoption expands across Burundi, initiatives like BioAmak will play a pivotal role in supporting farmers, refining biochar practices, and driving sustainable agriculture forward.

By Olivier Majambere, a student of Bachelor in Entrepreneurial Leadership at African Leadership University, Rwanda, CEO and Founder of BioAmak.