NewZealand Biochar Ltd

THAILAND VISITS 2019

Dennis Enright visited Thailand in January and June to continue with various biochar projects.

Dennis collaborates with GreenNet Cooperative who work with more than 1200 small-scale farmers throughout the country growing a wide range of organic products such as; rice, coffee, coconuts, mulberries etc. When in Thailand, Dennis has conducted workshops on how to make and use biochar using low tech equipment, for both farmers and those who are doing extension work with farmers.

THAILAND VISIT JAN/FEB 2018

Visiting Thailand to promote biochar and work on biochar projects is important to NZ Biochar Ltd. Small scale subtropical and tropical farmers, who in many cases are working with nutrient deficient soils, are well placed to benefit from using biochar. If large numbers of small scale farmers around the world use biochar, then we all benefit as a consequence of carbon sequestration.

As mentioned in previous posts NZ Biochar is fortunate to have the support and collaboration of the Green Net Cooperative, a social enterprise organisation committed to organic production and Fair Trade in Thailand. We now have two projects; the first, an ongoing experimental site at Mae Tha, with the MaeTha Organic Vegetable Producer Group and Green Net, and second, I have now started a project with the Ban Krut Organic Coconut Producer Group and Green Net, at Ban Krut in the south of Thailand.

There are no crops growing (simulating farmer practice) on the dryland experimental site at Maetha at this time of the year because it is the dry season. Last season some plots were sown with baby corn while others were sown with soybeans. Vegetables other than baby corn are likely to be planted in these plots in the coming season.

While I was at MaeTha I also demonstrated to Green Net staff there how to make biochar in a small pit in the ground as well as in a 200 l barrel split in half long-ways, as examples of low tech, low cost techniques to make biochar.

The organic coconut farmers at Ban Krut have two ‘waste’ materials that are a problem to deal with. They are the butt end of coconut tree fronds and the cap and stem removed from the coconut during processing. We found that these could be biocharred in either a pit in the ground or in a concrete tub (tubs are readily found around Thailand). Having demonstrated these methods to Green Net staff at Ban Krut we then set up a small garden plot experiment to compare some biochar treatments. The experiment focused on using biochar in vegetable growing for farmers own consumption.

Warm Heart, Phrao whose primary objective is supporting under privileged children and developing local micro-entrepreneurship, continue to promote and work with biochar. During this visit, I undertook a small project to create and evaluate a biochar based potting mix that was simple to make and had potential as a commercial product. The New Mix is now being compared with two other potting mixes in a pot experiment growing kale and set up in a randomised block design, so that any treatment differences can be tested for statistical significance. Early assessments suggest that the New Mix is performing well.

I always enjoy visiting Pang Ma O village - Chiang Mai/Chiang Dhao at about 12oom elevation ('top of the hill') where the Ton Ping Organic Coffee Producer Group is based. In July last year we made compost at Pang Ma O from rice husks, harvested green material, dry pig poo and biochar (15% finished product). We also cut Lichee tree branches and stored them under cover to dry in preparation for making biochar. This visit we charred that wood and, along with the compost, stored it ready for use in an experiment that will focus on how to manage coffee tree nutrition more effectively.

I also spent time with various people, like Nita and Luka at Mae Taeng north of Chiang Mai. We made biochar and now they have primed it with nutrients and used it in their garden. They are pleased with how their garden grows.

thailand