“This June, International Biochar Initiative (IBI) launched the inaugural Biochar Academy: an in-person and online learning project modeling a train-the-trainers education approach to develop a global biochar workforce.

The IBI Biochar Academy provides direct training for farmers, agriculture extension agents, policymakers, climate-smart agriculture organizational staff, climate project developers, and researchers interested in practical knowledge.”

The first Northern European Regional Meeting of the international 4 per 1000 Initiative took place in Helsinki, Finland from 6-8 June 2023. It was mainly and greatly organized by the Baltic Sea Action Group.

“West Africa fertilizer policy decision-makers and experts issued an official Ministerial Declaration on Fertilizer and Soil Health in West Africa at the close of a high-level round table organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with technical and funding support by IFDC’s Feed the Future EnGRAIS project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Bank, respectively.”

“Women play a critical role in the agricultural sector, comprising 43% of the agricultural labor force globally and making significant contributions to household and national food security. Despite their essential role, they face several challenges that limit their ability to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and adapt to climate change, including access to information and finance.”

Burning of unused crop residue is a common practice among farmers in India, contributing to carbon emissions and air pollution. BAIF and GIZ have partnered to establish a farmer producer organisation to convert this residue into biochar. Farmers sell their waste biomass to the FPO and purchase biochar to apply to their crop fields.

Health of the Soil (HotS) recently launched the "Love in Soil Again" (LISA) Initiative, a new plan that has been ambitiously designed to restore and facilitate deep-rooted craving, love, loyalty, respect and expertise for the health of our soils.

“As part of the Assessment of State Fertilizer Scenario and Promoting Efficient Nutrient Management (ASPEN) project, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Assam, Punjab Agricultural University, Feed the Future, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and National Agro Industries, have developed a seed-and-fertilizer drill.”

“Srouy’s hands move deftly amongst the vines, her thumb and forefinger pinching each ripe bean from its stem. By the end of the month, she will have harvested some 60 kilograms of beans for sale to her local farmers’ cooperative. Today, after forty years of farming, Srouy is as much entrepreneur as farmer…”

“One project that has been successful in integrating sustainable solutions for energy and water use in agriculture is the Laikipia Isiolo Samburu Transforming the Environment Through Nexus (LISTEN) project in Kenya. The project, implemented by SNV, AGRA and FCDC with funding from EKN, uses the nexus approach to build the knowledge of smallholder farming communities to adopt climate-smart techniques and practices…”

Learn more about the Simpson Foundation; an organisation working on the ground to transform farming practices, scale soil health and improve the livelihoods of rural people in Malawi.

Dr Budiman Minasny, of Sydney Institute of Agriculture, University of Sydney, and scientific member of the 4per1000 Scientific and Technical Committee, shares his thoughts following the proceedings and decisions from the recent UNFCCC COP27.