Climate Action Malawi Project #41625

Sustainable Farming: Relieve Hunger in East Africa

by Warm Heart Worldwide, Inc

Sustainable Farming: Relieve Hunger in East Africa

Project Report | Mar 18, 2022
Spreading the news

By Evelind Schecter | Project Leader

Kofua village of Kamser Nyakongo

The word is getting out and we are getting new requests for training every day. Our Kenya team just trained a group of trainers in Tanzania and Uganda is most likely next. The big news is that Warm Heart received accreditation from the Ithaka Institute of the European Biochar Certification organization for a new Carbon Removal category of "Tropical Farmer".

“On March 4, Michael Shafer and Jason Highberger, of Warm Herat, along with Hans-Peter Schmidt of the EBC, presented the Tropical Farmer category at an International Biochar Initiative sponsored Webinar with 195 participants from 35 countries. IBI Webinar: Verified Carbon Removal by Smallholder Farmers.”

In Kenya, the first order for 50 tons of carbon credits has 32 farmers making and using their biochar for the planting season. They will receive additional income once their sequestered biochar is verified by our local team. While it is still a very small amount of money, it is a source of income they did not have before. This is a new concept in a new market, and for now, it is a giant step forward for climate action and smallholder farmers.

While the accreditation will eventually enable millions of farmers to access the carbon removal markets, it is costly to do the verification and it will take a large investment to scale the operation. We have partnered with Task.io, and with the help of their phone app, we are able to capture the biochar production and usage to verify the carbon removed. Warm Heart has initiated an impact venture with Biochar Life, a Public Benefit Corporation, to manage the demand and supply for the carbon markets.

Thank you for all you have done to make this all possible. We still need your support as Warm Heart continues to raise funds to train farmers, build networks, and find new ways to make biochar effectively with different feedstocks.

Group

Results of biochar in the garden

IBI Webinar overview

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Nov 28, 2021
Carbon Removal: Biochar Acceptance Nurtures Soil & Families

By Evelind Schecter | Program Manager

Oct 4, 2021
Biochar Training at Mikuyu Prison Farm, Zomba, Malawi

By Evelind Schecter | Project Leader

Introduction to Biochar

Our team in Malawi has been working on putting together a biochar training program for the Mikuyu Prison Farm in Zomba, Malawi for a few years. The prison grows as much of its own food as possible. Both inmates and officials joined in the training.

Sylvester G. Chiweza, our Project Leader in Malawi submitted this report about the experience:

"On last Friday, September 24, 2021, we had our first Biochar Training at Mikuyu Prison Farm. The training involved both indoor and outdoor activities. We started with theory in the morning and practical in the afternoon.

The training was graced by Dr. Steven Machado who came all the way from the US, as our guest of honor and later issued certificates of participation to all trainees.

We also had incredible support through facilitation of the presentation by Mr. Charles Sokoso from Village in Partnerships.

I also wish to thank my team leaders; Pilirani Makuru for taking us through her presentation on How do I make Biochar, George Petrol and Francis Abel for taking us through practical ways of making Biochar using TLUD and Trench respectively

Mr. Alexander is a senior officer from Zomba Maximum Prison who championed organization of this training at Mikuyu1 Prison Farm. I give much appreciation to Mr. Alexander for his tremendous work, passion, and resilience towards this training. Mr. Alexander has been in touch with our Director, Sr. Miriam for the past 3 years. He never gave up for his people. Today, we are witnessing our successful onsite physical training.

George Petro and Francis Abel have a big passion towards changing the livelihood of our communities, strengthening adaptation and resilience to climate change through the use of Biochar. Even if they're busy with personal work, they always make themselves available for any activities organized by Warm Heart Malawi. Am very proud of their zealous and hardworking spirit."

This is such a great opportunity in so many ways. The Department of Justice loved it because the prisoners grow their own food, and their farm can benefit from the biochar. They sent reps from all the area prisons. We loved it because the prisoners who garden will be released soon and will take their experience with biochar with them back to their home communities, where they can teach their neighbors.

Our team in Malawi thanks you for your continuing support to help spread biochar training across Africa.

P.S. When Sister Miram Paulette first contacted Warm Heart years ago, one of the reasons Michael replied to her email was because he knew about the music from the Zomba prison. See the links below for the story of how the music was collected and how to support the music.

Demo on how to mix biochar & manure for fertilizer

Demo of trench method

How to make a TLUD to make biochar

Group photo

Links:

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