Latest USAID Development Innovation Ventures Grants | East African cookstove markets | Scaling up biochar - Indoor Air Pollution Updates

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Subject: Latest USAID Development Innovation Ventures Grants | East African
 cookstove markets | Scaling up biochar
Thread-Topic: Latest USAID Development Innovation Ventures Grants | East
 African cookstove markets | Scaling up biochar
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Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:05:30 +0000
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Below is information on the 2 latest DIV grants from USAID.

Also, please respond to this brief poll for Indoor Air Pollution Updates, h=
ttp://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/10/poll-how-often-do-you-visit-iap=
-updates/

USAID DIV Award =96 Potential Energy: fueling the cookstoves markets in Eas=
t Africa<http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/10/usaid-div-award-poten=
tial-energy-fueling-the-cookstoves-markets-in-east-africa/>

OCTOBER 26, 2012 =B7 0 COMMENTS<http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/1=
0/usaid-div-award-potential-energy-fueling-the-cookstoves-markets-in-east-a=
frica/#comments>

Potential Energy: fueling the cookstoves markets in East Africa | Source: U=
SAID Development Innovation Ventures<http://idea.usaid.gov/div/potential-en=
ergy> | Oct 2012.

  *   DIV Stage 2 | $1.5 million | Darfur & Ethiopia

The Problem: Many models for high-efficiency stoves exist to replace tradit=
ional open fire methods, but few have achieved widespread use or commercial=
 sustainability.

The Solution: Potential Energy=92s high efficiency stove, developed as part=
 of the Berkeley Darfur Stoves Project, is the product of extensive market-=
testing and end-user feedback. Using lessons learned from early work on coo=
kstove adoption in Darfur,Potential Energy is pursuing a market creation st=
rategy in Ethiopia. The organization will grow its distribution and marketi=
ng network and develop innovative pricing models and flexible financing opt=
ions for consumers. With support from Development Innovation Ventures, Pote=
ntial Energy and partners will assess the group=92s impact and the relative=
 effectiveness of the different marketing strategies it pursues.

Potential Cost-Effectiveness: Because the Berkeley Darfur Stove requires ha=
lf as much firewood as traditional cooking methods, users save more than $3=
00 per year in fuel costs, or half the labor time and effort gathering fire=
wood. Over the five-year lifespan of the stove, this savings is approximate=
ly $1700 per household.

2,000,000 people die each year from illness related to breathing smoke from=
 cooking fires. This figure is equal to that of the entire AIDS epidemic an=
d three times as large as annual deaths from malaria. In addition, many wom=
en are exposed to violence as they travel up to 7 hours a day, 3-5 days a w=
eek in search of usable fuel wood with which to cook their food. Many model=
s for high-efficiency stoves exist to replace traditional open fire methods=
, but few have achieved widespread use or commercial sustainability.

Originally the Darfur Stoves Project, Potential Energy was founded as a vol=
unteer organization in 2005 by Dr. Ashok Gadgil, Faculty Senior Scientist a=
nd Director of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division of Lawrence B=
erkeley National Laboratory.Dr. Gadgil led a team of Berkeley scientists an=
d engineers in the development of a Berkeley-Darfur stove, aggressively pur=
suing market-testing and end-user feedback in Darfur. With the Berkeley Dar=
fur Stove, users require half as much firewood, saving them more than $300 =
per year in fuel costs. Over the five-year lifespan of the stove, this savi=
ngs is approximately $1700 per household.

In 2012 Potential Energy established itself as an independent 501(c)3. The =
organization has thus far distributed more than 22,000 fuel-efficient stove=
s in Darfur; most were donated to women in IDP camps in North Darfur in the=
 wake of the humanitarian crisis, however in the past year the organization=
 has moved to a market-driven approach and the remaining stoves have been s=
old to women in urban and rural locations outside of the camps.

Through its work, Potential Energy has developed critical partnerships with=
 organizations like Oxfam America and Plan International, increased the cap=
acity of local organizations in Darfur, built its distribution and marketin=
g network, and is developing innovative pricing models and flexible financi=
ng options for consumers. Based on its success in Darfur, Potential Energy =
will replicate its market creation strategy to develop and sell stoves in E=
thiopia in 2013.

The $1.5 million, three-year grant from USAID=92s Development Innovation Ve=
ntures Initiative supports Potential Energy=92s transition to a social ente=
rprise approach by supporting it to test pricing strategies and market and =
distribution channels via local organizations. Potential Energy is collabor=
ating with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory=92s Institute for Glob=
ally Transformative Technologies for research and development, and has enga=
ged with the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) to assess the projec=
t=92s impact and relative effectiveness of different marketing strategies.

To Learn More

  *   See<http://sciencereview.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/darf=
ur-stoves.jpg> what the stove looks like
  *   Track<http://www.potentialenergy.org/> Potential Energy=92s progress =
on its website
  *   Learn the backstory<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dc-yFSfafHhc> wit=
h this video on the Darfur Stoves Project

USAID DIV Award =96 Scaling Biochar<http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/20=
12/10/usaid-div-award-scaling-biochar/>

OCTOBER 26, 2012 =B7 0 COMMENTS<http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/1=
0/usaid-div-award-scaling-biochar/#comments>

Scaling Biochar: Investing in Soils, Improving Livelihoods and Sequestering=
 Carbon | Source: USAID Development Innovation Ventures <http://idea.usaid.=
gov/div/biochar> | Oct 2012.

  *   $99,952 | Kenya | Stage 1

The problem: As much as 65% of Sub-Saharan Africa=92s soil on agricultural =
land is degraded, threatening the livelihoods of the 70% of Africans who ar=
e involved in agriculture. Crop yields and lower and fertilizers are less e=
fficient under these conditions, meaning that recent calls for a new green =
revolution for Africa are unlikely to be successful if soil degradation is =
not arrested.

The solution: Biochar, a charcoal powder, can reverse soil fertility declin=
e, improve crop yields, and improve plant response to fertilizer. Using low=
-cost kilns, farmers may be able to generate their own biochar to improve t=
heir soil quality.

Potential cost effectiveness: Preliminary research found that biochar adopt=
ion by farmers increased yields by approximately 23% in the first season of=
 application, and 30% a year later. PA researchers will pilot and rigorousl=
y evaluation the livelihood benefits of a farm-level biochar production kil=
n that costs between $25 and $40 per unit, and study how social networks st=
imulate =93viral=94 technology adoption.

Sub-Saharan Africa suffers from extensive soil degradation, threatening the=
 livelihoods of the 70% of Africans who are involved in agriculture. Crop y=
ields and lower and fertilizers are less efficient under these conditions, =
meaning that recent calls for a new green revolution for Africa are unlikel=
y to be successful if soil degradation is not arrested. Estimates suggest t=
hat as much as 65% of agricultural land in Africa is at least somewhat degr=
aded.

Researchers have shown that by adding charcoal dust =96 which can be produc=
ed from crop residues and other wastes =96 to soil, they can reverse soil f=
ertility decline, improve crop yields, and improve plant response to fertil=
izer. Termed =93biochar,=94 the benefits of this charcoal powder and its lo=
w production cost make it an important strategy for agricultural developmen=
t and sustainable land management, and a potentially significant tool for r=
educing greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon in soil.

The technology has strong preliminary evidence to support its impact.  Rese=
arch has found that early adoption by farmers increased yields by approxima=
tely 23% in the first season of application, and 30% a year later. However,=
 there is a need to make the technology scalable =96 the distribution netwo=
rk for biochar is diffuse and difficult to build up, so it may prove most e=
xpedient to allow farmers to produce and apply the biochar themselves, usin=
g a low-cost kiln and inputs that are readily accessible on most farms.

With Stage 1 support from DIV, IPA researchers in partnership with Re:char,=
 a social enterprise, and the African Christians Organizations Network, a K=
enyan-based NGO, will pilot and rigorously evaluate the livelihood benefits=
 of a farm-level biochar production kiln that costs between $25 and $40 per=
 unit. Researchers will also use a randomized control trial to study how so=
cial networks stimulate =91viral=92 technology adoption. Up to 1,000 farmer=
s will participate in the study, which will yield greater understanding of =
biochar=92s potential as a farm-level tool, and greater understanding of ho=
w to speed adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.

To Learn More:

  *   Watch<http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/03/30/biochar.warming.ener=
gy/index.html#cnnSTCVideo> a CNN video about how biochar works
  *   Follow<http://www.re-char.com/category/blog/> the product=92s develop=
ment on Re:char=92s blog
  *   Read<http://andrewcd.berkeley.edu/ACD_AJC_SS_Kenya_WorkingPaper.pdf> =
the working paper from the preliminary research



--_000_D2EFAB1C11AB9744A47C03B19C8D2BC6036C5B67CH1PRD0711MB444_
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252">
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<div style=3D"direction: ltr;font-family: Tahoma;color: #000000;font-size: =
10pt;">Below is information on the 2 latest DIV grants from USAID.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Also, please respond to this brief poll for Indoor Air Pollution Updat=
es,&nbsp;<a href=3D"http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/10/poll-how-o=
ften-do-you-visit-iap-updates/">http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/1=
0/poll-how-often-do-you-visit-iap-updates/</a>
<div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>
<div class=3D"post-3015 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentr=
y category-uncategorized tag-potential-energy tag-usaid-div post_box top" i=
d=3D"post-3015" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px 2.3em 25px 1.1em; border=
: 0px none; clear: both; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-box-=
shadow: rgb(231, 231, 231) 4px 4px 0px 0px; box-shadow: rgb(231, 231, 231) =
4px 4px 0px 0px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neu=
e', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; ">
<div class=3D"headline_area" style=3D"padding: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 2.2em;=
 background-color: rgb(234, 212, 182); text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px =
1px 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial i=
nitial; ">
<h2 class=3D"entry-title" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 2.=
2em; line-height: 1.364em; ">
<a href=3D"http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/10/usaid-div-award-pot=
ential-energy-fueling-the-cookstoves-markets-in-east-africa/" rel=3D"bookma=
rk" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(1=
7, 17, 17); ">USAID DIV Award =96 Potential
 Energy: fueling the cookstoves markets in East Africa</a></h2>
<p class=3D"headline_meta" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin=
-left: 0px; font-style: italic; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.8em; color: =
rgb(123, 61, 26); ">
<abbr class=3D"published" title=3D"2012-10-26" style=3D"padding: 0px; margi=
n: 0px; line-height: 1em; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; b=
order-bottom-style: none; cursor: help; font-style: normal; ">OCTOBER 26, 2=
012</abbr>&nbsp;=B7&nbsp;<span style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-sty=
le: normal; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; "><a href=3D"ht=
tp://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/10/usaid-div-award-potential-energy=
-fueling-the-cookstoves-markets-in-east-africa/#comments" rel=3D"nofollow" =
style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(123, =
61, 26); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-botto=
m-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); ">0
 COMMENTS</a></span></p>
</div>
<div class=3D"format_text entry-content" style=3D"padding: 0px 20px 20px; m=
argin: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.571em; ">
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Potential Energy: fueling the=
 cookstoves markets in East Africa</strong>&nbsp;| Source:&nbsp;<a href=3D"=
http://idea.usaid.gov/div/potential-energy" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: =
0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">USAID Development
 Innovation Ventures</a>&nbsp;| Oct 2012.</p>
<ul style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; list-style: squ=
are; ">
<li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; "><strong style=3D"padding: 0px; ma=
rgin: 0px; ">DIV Stage 2 | $1.5 million | Darfur &amp; Ethiopia</strong></l=
i></ul>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">The Problem:</strong>&nbsp;Ma=
ny models for high-efficiency stoves exist to replace traditional open fire=
 methods, but few have achieved widespread use or commercial sustainability=
.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">The Solution: Potential Energ=
y</strong>=92s high efficiency stove, developed as part of the&nbsp;<strong=
 style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Berkeley Darfur Stoves Project</stro=
ng>, is the product of extensive market-testing
 and end-user feedback. Using lessons learned from early work on cookstove =
adoption in Darfur,<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Potential =
Energy</strong>&nbsp;is pursuing a market creation strategy in Ethiopia. Th=
e organization will grow its distribution
 and marketing network and develop innovative pricing models and flexible f=
inancing options for consumers. With support from Development Innovation Ve=
ntures, Potential Energy and partners will assess the group=92s impact and =
the relative effectiveness of the
 different marketing strategies it pursues.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Potential Cost-Effectiveness:=
&nbsp;</strong>Because the Berkeley Darfur Stove requires half as much fire=
wood as traditional cooking methods, users save more than $300 per year in =
fuel costs, or&nbsp;<a style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration:=
 underline; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">half&nbsp;</a>the
 labor time and effort gathering firewood. Over the five-year lifespan of t=
he stove, this savings is approximately $1700 per household.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
2,000,000 people die each year from illness related to breathing smoke from=
 cooking fires. This figure is equal to that of the entire AIDS epidemic an=
d three times as large as annual deaths from malaria. In addition, many wom=
en are exposed to violence as they
 travel up to 7 hours a day, 3-5 days a week in search of usable fuel wood =
with which to cook their food. Many models for high-efficiency stoves exist=
 to replace traditional open fire methods, but few have achieved widespread=
 use or commercial sustainability.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
Originally the Darfur Stoves Project,&nbsp;<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; m=
argin: 0px; ">Potential Energy</strong>&nbsp;was founded as a volunteer org=
anization in 2005 by Dr. Ashok Gadgil, Faculty Senior Scientist and Directo=
r of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division
 of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory<em style=3D"padding: 0px; margin:=
 0px; ">.</em>Dr. Gadgil led a team of Berkeley scientists and engineers in=
 the development of a Berkeley-Darfur stove, aggressively pursuing market-t=
esting and end-user feedback in Darfur.&nbsp;With
 the Berkeley Darfur Stove, users require half as much firewood, saving the=
m more than $300 per year in fuel costs. Over the five-year lifespan of the=
 stove, this savings is approximately $1700 per household.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
In 2012&nbsp;<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Potential Energy=
</strong>&nbsp;established itself as an independent 501(c)3. The organizati=
on has thus far distributed more than 22,000 fuel-efficient stoves in Darfu=
r; most were donated to women in IDP camps in
 North Darfur in the wake of the humanitarian crisis, however in the past y=
ear the organization has moved to a market-driven approach and the remainin=
g stoves have been sold to women in urban and rural locations outside of th=
e camps.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
Through its work,&nbsp;<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Potent=
ial Energy</strong>&nbsp;has developed critical partnerships with organizat=
ions like Oxfam America and Plan International, increased the capacity of l=
ocal organizations in Darfur, built its distribution
 and marketing network, and is developing innovative pricing models and fle=
xible financing options for consumers. Based on its success in Darfur, Pote=
ntial Energy will replicate its market creation strategy to develop and sel=
l stoves in Ethiopia in 2013.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
The $1.5 million, three-year grant from USAID=92s Development Innovation Ve=
ntures Initiative supports&nbsp;<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px;=
 ">Potential Energy=92s&nbsp;</strong>transition to a social enterprise app=
roach by supporting it to test pricing strategies
 and market and distribution channels via local organizations. Potential En=
ergy is collaborating with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory=92s In=
stitute for Globally Transformative Technologies for research and developme=
nt, and has engaged with the Center
 for Effective Global Action (CEGA) to assess the project=92s impact and re=
lative effectiveness of different marketing strategies.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
To Learn More</p>
<ul style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; list-style: squ=
are; ">
<li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; "><a href=3D"http://sciencereview.b=
erkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/darfur-stoves.jpg" target=3D"_blank"=
 style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">See</a>&nbs=
p;what the stove looks like</li><li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; "><=
a href=3D"http://www.potentialenergy.org/" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"paddi=
ng: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">Track</a>&nbsp;Potential E=
nergy=92s progress on its website</li><li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0p=
x; "><a href=3D"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dc-yFSfafHhc" target=3D"_bl=
ank" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">Learn t=
he backstory</a>&nbsp;with this video on the Darfur Stoves Project</li></ul=
>
</div>
</div>
<div class=3D"post-3007 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentr=
y category-kenya tag-biochar tag-usaid-div post_box" id=3D"post-3007" style=
=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px 2.3em 25px 1.1em; border: 0px dotted rgb(187,=
 187, 187); clear: both; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-box-=
shadow: rgb(231, 231, 231) 4px 4px 0px 0px; box-shadow: rgb(231, 231, 231) =
4px 4px 0px 0px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neu=
e', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; ">
<div class=3D"headline_area" style=3D"padding: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 2.2em;=
 background-color: rgb(234, 212, 182); text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 1px =
1px 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial i=
nitial; ">
<h2 class=3D"entry-title" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 2.=
2em; line-height: 1.364em; ">
<a href=3D"http://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/10/usaid-div-award-sca=
ling-biochar/" rel=3D"bookmark" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-de=
coration: none; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); ">USAID DIV Award =96 Scaling Bioch=
ar</a></h2>
<p class=3D"headline_meta" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin=
-left: 0px; font-style: italic; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.8em; color: =
rgb(123, 61, 26); ">
<abbr class=3D"published" title=3D"2012-10-26" style=3D"padding: 0px; margi=
n: 0px; line-height: 1em; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; b=
order-bottom-style: none; cursor: help; font-style: normal; ">OCTOBER 26, 2=
012</abbr>&nbsp;=B7&nbsp;<span style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-sty=
le: normal; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; "><a href=3D"ht=
tp://blogs.washplus.org/iaqupdates/2012/10/usaid-div-award-scaling-biochar/=
#comments" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decora=
tion: none; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-botto=
m-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); ">0
 COMMENTS</a></span></p>
</div>
<div class=3D"format_text entry-content" style=3D"padding: 0px 20px 20px; m=
argin: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.571em; ">
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Scaling Biochar: Investing in=
 Soils, Improving Livelihoods and Sequestering Carbon</strong>&nbsp;| Sourc=
e:&nbsp;<a href=3D"http://idea.usaid.gov/div/biochar" style=3D"padding: 0px=
; margin: 0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">USAID
 Development Innovation Ventures&nbsp;</a>| Oct 2012.</p>
<ul style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; list-style: squ=
are; ">
<li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; "><strong style=3D"padding: 0px; ma=
rgin: 0px; ">$99,952 | Kenya | Stage 1</strong></li></ul>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">The problem:</strong><strong =
style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">&nbsp;</strong>As much as 65% of Sub-=
Saharan Africa=92s soil on agricultural land is degraded, threatening the l=
ivelihoods of the 70% of Africans who are involved
 in agriculture. Crop yields and lower and fertilizers are less efficient u=
nder these conditions, meaning that recent calls for a new green revolution=
 for Africa are unlikely to be successful if soil degradation is not arrest=
ed.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">The solution:&nbsp;</strong>B=
iochar, a charcoal powder,&nbsp;can reverse soil fertility decline, improve=
 crop yields, and improve plant response to fertilizer. Using low-cost kiln=
s, farmers may be able to generate their own
 biochar to improve their soil quality.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Potential cost effectiveness:=
&nbsp;</strong>Preliminary research found that biochar adoption by farmers =
increased yields by approximately 23% in the first season of application, a=
nd 30% a year later.&nbsp;PA researchers will
 pilot and rigorously evaluation the livelihood benefits of a farm-level bi=
ochar production kiln that&nbsp;costs between $25 and $40 per unit,&nbsp;an=
d study how social networks stimulate =93viral=94 technology adoption.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
Sub-Saharan Africa suffers from extensive soil degradation, threatening the=
 livelihoods of the 70% of Africans who are involved in agriculture. Crop y=
ields and lower and fertilizers are less efficient under these conditions, =
meaning that recent calls for a
 new green revolution for Africa are unlikely to be successful if soil degr=
adation is not arrested. Estimates suggest that as much as 65% of agricultu=
ral land in Africa is at least somewhat degraded.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
Researchers have shown that by adding charcoal dust =96 which can be produc=
ed from crop residues and other wastes =96 to soil, they can reverse soil f=
ertility decline, improve crop yields, and improve plant response to fertil=
izer. Termed =93biochar,=94 the benefits
 of this charcoal powder and its low production cost make it an important s=
trategy for agricultural development and sustainable land management, and a=
 potentially significant tool for reducing greenhouse gases by sequestering=
 carbon in soil.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
The technology has strong preliminary evidence to support its impact. &nbsp=
;Research has found that early adoption by farmers increased yields by appr=
oximately 23% in the first season of application, and 30% a year later.&nbs=
p;However, there is a need to make the technology
 scalable =96 the distribution network for biochar is diffuse and difficult=
 to build up, so it may prove most expedient to allow farmers to produce an=
d apply the biochar themselves, using a low-cost kiln and inputs that are r=
eadily accessible on most farms.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
With Stage 1 support from DIV, IPA researchers in partnership with&nbsp;<st=
rong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">Re:char</strong>, a social enter=
prise, and the&nbsp;<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">African C=
hristians Organizations Network</strong>, a Kenyan-based
 NGO, will pilot and rigorously evaluate the livelihood benefits of a farm-=
level biochar production kiln that costs between $25 and $40 per unit. Rese=
archers will also use a randomized control trial to study how social networ=
ks stimulate =91viral=92 technology
 adoption. Up to 1,000 farmers will participate in the study, which will yi=
eld greater understanding of biochar=92s potential as a farm-level tool, an=
d greater understanding of how to speed adoption of environmentally friendl=
y technologies.</p>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
<strong style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; ">To Learn More:</strong></p>
<ul style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.571em 1.571em; list-style: squ=
are; ">
<li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; "><a href=3D"http://www.cnn.com/200=
9/TECH/science/03/30/biochar.warming.energy/index.html#cnnSTCVideo" style=
=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">Watch</a>&nbsp;a =
CNN video about how biochar works</li><li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0p=
x; "><a href=3D"http://www.re-char.com/category/blog/" style=3D"padding: 0p=
x; margin: 0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">Follow</a>&nbsp;the product=92s =
development on Re:char=92s blog</li><li style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px;=
 "><a href=3D"http://andrewcd.berkeley.edu/ACD_AJC_SS_Kenya_WorkingPaper.pd=
f" style=3D"padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(123, 61, 26); ">Read</a>&=
nbsp;the working paper from the preliminary research</li></ul>
<p style=3D"padding: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; margin=
-left: 0px; ">
&nbsp;</p>
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