IJREH | Environmental and Socio-economic Feasibility of Biochar Application for Cassava Production in the Bimodal Rainforest Zone of Cameroon

Indexing and Abstracting

Environmental and Socio-economic Feasibility of Biochar Application for Cassava Production in the Bimodal Rainforest Zone of Cameroon

Billa Samuel Fru , Tsi Evaristus Angwafo , Tchamba N Martin , Ngome Ajebesone Francis , Tata Precillia Ngome

International Journal of Rural Development, Environment and Health Research(IJREH), Vol-2,Issue-1, January - February 2018, Pages 1-9, 10.22161/ijreh.2.1.1

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Abstract:

The benefits of the use of biochar in improvement of soil properties and crop growth have been dominating scientific debates in efforts to include biochar in policy and regulatory frameworks. The study incorporated a semi participatory methodology involving farmers to gain anon-farm-view assessment of the challenges, environmental feasibility, economic profitability and socio-cultural soundness of biochar production and use. Biochar produced from cassava stems, ricehuskand corncobs using an Elsa pyrolyser were applied at 16kg/plot on 8m2 experimental plots during the 2016/2017 cropping season in Nkolbisson, Cameroon following a complete randomised design with three replications. Cassava plant growth parameters were measured at 3, 6 and 9 months after planting while yields were obtained at harvest. Cost benefit analysis was used to evaluate the total costs and revenue returns.Fifteen farmers participated in the trialand semi-structured questionnaires and interviews were used to elucidate farmer’s assessment of biochar. Results showed that, farmers using ricehusk biochar encured more profits with net benefits of 1.44 million fCFA andmarginal rate of return (33.06%) compared to thecontrol (583267fCFA) with MRR of 12.33% and corncob biochar (353436 fCFA) with MRR of 7.80%. Additional revenue (34.95%)was gained from the use of ricehusk biochar market price for CO2 offset at ($60).The use of ricehusk biochar was found to be socio-economically and environmentally feasible. However, national sensitization on biochar production could helpcreate awareness, generate a huge leap in livelihoods as well as get the attention of the government for policy drive.

Keywords:

Biochar; Food security: Livelihoods; Socio-economic feasibility; Environmental management.

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