Western Region Study Tour 2025 Showcases Innovations in Bamboo, Biochar, and Circular Systems

Round table introduction on the study tour at Eco2 offices

The Western Region Study Tour 2025, organized in collaboration with ECO2LIBRIUM Company, Bio-Kenya through IRD (French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development), and Carbon Standards International (CSI), brought together practitioners and stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable value chains in Kenya.

The tour focused on ECO2LIBRIUM’s new bamboo-based biochar project in Kakamega, Western Kenya, while also highlighting practical demonstrations of digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) tools for biochar and carbon sequestration. Additional learning sites included Bio-Kenya’s Tanga Kona project, which produces biochar from sugarcane bagasse, and initiatives integrating biochar with Black Soldier Fly (BSF) systems at Magnet Academy School in Nambale, Busia, and Kisumu Young Agripreneurs.

The study tour was conducted under the broader vision of CBEN, a dedicated network working to advance bamboo and biochar innovation, knowledge exchange, and credible climate solutions.

Bamboo & Biochar Innovation at ECO2LIBRIUM

The tour began at ECO2LIBRIUM Company, where participants observed the large-scale cultivation of three bamboo species: Dendrocalamus giganteus (Giant Bamboo), Bambusa balcooa, and  Dendrocalamus asper

Bamboo Species at Eco2

Once mature, the bamboo stalks are acquired by ECO2LIBRIUM after harvesting by We Do Bamboo—Kenya’s leading manufacturer of sustainable bamboo building materials. Depending on species and size, each bamboo culm is valued at approximately USD 2–4. The bamboo is then dried to a moisture content below 15%, verified using a moisture meter, before being pyrolyzed in a Kon-Tiki kiln at temperatures exceeding 650–675°C.

At Eco2 Production Site

Following pyrolysis, the biochar is charged using decomposing cow dung to enhance its agronomic value. ECO2LIBRIUM is now implementing a C-Sink biochar production model aimed at strengthening community livelihoods through sustainable carbon removal. 

The deployment of a dMRV tool is central to this process, enabling accurate tracking of production, quality assurance, and farmer incentive mechanisms.

Tanga Kona Cooperative: Biochar from Sugarcane Bagasse

The study tour also visited Tanga Kona Cooperative, a key beneficiary of the Bio-Kenya project implemented through IRD, where participants observed an innovative approach to biochar production using sugarcane bagasse—a widely available agricultural by-product. Rather than treating bagasse as waste, the cooperative has adopted a vertical carbonizer to convert this residue into high-quality biochar.

At Tanga Kona, Busia

This production system illustrates how locally available biomass can be transformed into a valuable climate and soil solution. The vertical carbonizer enables controlled pyrolysis, improving carbon retention while reducing emissions during the conversion process. The resulting biochar is applied back into agricultural systems, where it enhances soil structure, improves nutrient and water retention, and contributes to long-term soil health.

The Tanga Kona model highlights the versatility of biochar feedstocks and demonstrates how agricultural residues can be integrated into circular rural economies. By closing nutrient and carbon loops at the community level, the initiative not only supports sustainable crop production but also creates new economic opportunities for farmers while contributing to climate-smart agriculture and carbon sequestration efforts.

Recognizing CSI’s Vital Role in Certification and Credibility

A key partner throughout the study tour was Carbon Standards International (CSI), a member of the CBEN network. CSI holds a critical position within CBEN and its membership by championing credibility, transparency, and integrity in carbon removal markets.

Through its robust certification frameworks and strategic partnerships, CSI ensures that biochar produced by CBEN partners undergoes rigorous testing, verification, and quality assurance. CBEN—bringing together artisanal and industrial biochar producers, researchers, and policymakers—provides a unique platform to amplify CSI’s presence across Africa’s growing biochar ecosystem by showcasing its tools and standards to both existing and emerging producers.

This support is vital in enabling producers to access high-value carbon and commercial markets while strengthening trust in authentic carbon-removal solutions. CSI’s engagement positions it strongly to develop reliable standards and digital systems for certified biochar production and the delivery of credible climate services through carbon sinks.

BSF Production & Circular Integration

The study tour also highlighted the integration of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) systems with biochar, reinforcing circular economy principles. At Magnet Academy School in Nambale, Busia, chicken waste is efficiently converted into BSF protein and nutrient-rich frass. The large-scale BSF production supports waste reduction while generating protein-rich animal feed and organic fertilizer. The resulting BSF frass is combined with biochar, creating a powerful soil amendment that enhances soil fertility, improves nutrient efficiency, and strengthens regenerative agricultural practices.

Team at Magnet school, Nambale

Similarly, Kisumu Young Agripreneurs utilize market waste for BSF farming and are already piloting a biochar production project using human waste (fecal matter) pyrolyzed with urine, demonstrating innovation at the intersection of sanitation, waste management, and sustainable agriculture.

The Western Region Study Tour 2025 reaffirmed the growing potential of bamboo, biochar, dMRV systems, certification, and BSF integration as scalable solutions for climate resilience, circular economies, and community-led development in Kenya and beyond.

Study tour team at KIYA

Through hands-on engagement, participants gained practical experience in bamboo-based biochar production, including farmer compensation models and the role of C-Sink Managers in biochar accreditation and scaling. The tour also strengthened understanding of dMRV tools for effective carbon project monitoring and reporting, while showcasing real-world examples of biochar and BSF system integration to advance regenerative agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.

By Erick Opiyo Abala

Head of Communications-CBEN