Biochar and Regenerative Agriculture Transition in Uganda
What is the main objective of the project?
The project addresses declining soil fertility and low productivity in the Ugandan coffee sector. It aims to demonstrate how unused coffee husks can be converted into biochar and applied to smallholder farms to rebuild degraded soils. By improving soil structure and long-term fertility, the initiative supports higher yields and more resilient livelihoods. At the same time, it introduces climate innovation by turning agricultural waste into a tool for carbon storage, linking environmental restoration to economic opportunity.
How will the project contribute to sustainable coffee production?
By integrating biochar and regenerative agriculture practices such as organic fertilisers and cover crops, the project strengthens ecological sustainability in coffee production. Biochar enhances water retention, soil nutrients and carbon sequestration. This process can generate certified Carbon Removal Units (CRUs), which can be sold on the voluntary carbon market. This could create a circular economy with new income streams for farmers while reducing the sector’s climate footprint, promoting both environmental and social sustainability.
How do you plan to scale up the sustainable measures implemented in the coffee value chain?
The project begins with 450 smallholder farmers to test the impact and farmer adoption under real conditions. Based on measured results – including soil improvement, yield gains and CRU generation process – the model will be expanded to 16 hulling stations, aiming to reach over 12,000 farmers. A self-sustaining financial mechanism is foreseen, funded by biochar use and carbon revenues, ensuring long-term scalability without external subsidies. Strong collaboration across the value chain supports replication beyond the pilot region.
Organisations involved
