Cotton stalks improving soil health across Asia and Africa
A technique for improving soil health using cotton stalks is spreading across Asia and Africa through an International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) programme.
The Cone-Pit Open Earth Kiln technique, originally proposed by Schmidt and Taylor (Ithaka Journal, 2014), can rejuvenate soil health and improve yields by turning the stalks into biochar - a charcoal-like substance that's made by burning organic material.
Dr Keshav Kranthi, ICAC chief scientist, said preliminary results show that biochar was found to be highly alkaline and can effectively remediate acidic soils, improve soil structure and enrich soil health by adding organic carbon. For non-acidic soils, the ICAC developed a composting technique combining biochar with the principles of bokashi (a composting method of fermentation) to improve soil health and obtain higher yields.
Recent training sessions have been held in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire; and Kushtia, Bangladesh.
Over the past two years, the ICAC has conducted programmes in Zambia, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and other countries. It is now being widely used by hundreds of farmers and is spreading throughout Africa and Asia.
Image credit: ICAC
