Biochar: Can it put the tea industry back in the black?

Here is another report from Sri Lanka on biochar in the tea industry...
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120624/business-times/biochar-can-it-put-the-tea-industry-back-in-the-black-3850.html
This follows on from my previous report in December 2010...
http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2010/12/rejuvenation-of-tea-plantations-dilmah.html

IBI June Newsletter

Some SEA news within...

• Asia Development Bank seems to be developing a greater interest biochar. They helped supported a biochar study that I worked on with Bryan Hugill in 2010 (http://sea-biochar.blogspot.com/2010/12/biochar-project-proposals.html). One of their staff is also now on the IBI board. Hopefully, this can lead to better support for regional research activities.
• UPM have forged links with the Leibniz Institute of Agriculture... "Biochar in Agriculture - Perspectives for Germany and Malaysia" http://www.biochar-international.org/profile/ATB_Germany
  



The Philippine Biochar Association (PBiA) and the Federation of Irrigators Association – Bucao River Irrigation System (FIA-BRIS) are conducting training programs to help people start their own biochar businesses.

http://www.biochar-international.org/newsletter

I can also advise the Biomass-SP have tentative plans to support some biochar industry capacity building in Malaysia. More about that as things develop (but if you are interested in participating or supporting this initiative, then please get in touch).

The dark side of the green economy: 'Green grabbing'

I draw your attention to this article. For me, it provides a good perspective on some of the issues that need to be considered in our rush toward 'green' resource utilisation. It does mention biochar is a derogatory way (and I'm sure the Carbonscape reference is poorly researched and referenced) but it is certainly more balanced and without the BS coming from Biofuel Watch.

These are big issues that the biochar community can't solve. Maybe international agreements and regulation are part of the solution along with solving political corruption in the developing world (easy huh).
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/06/201261885431273708.html