MANILA, Philippines — In a commentary published on Saturday, February 7, 2026, Ernesto M. Ordoñez, chair of Agriwatch and former agriculture undersecretary, urged the government and private sector to collaborate on a nationwide strategy to harness biochar for crop production.
The technology, which processes organic waste into a soil enhancer, is being touted as a vital tool for improving soil fertility and mitigating the effects of climate change on Philippine farms.
What is Biochar? Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced through pyrolysis—the processing of agricultural and forestry waste (biomass) like rice hulls, corn cobs, and straw in a controlled, low-oxygen environment. This process safely stores carbon and reduces contamination.
Quantified Benefits Drawing from over 1,500 scientific studies, the commentary highlighted the following “wondrous” benefits of biochar application:
- Yield Increase: Average crop yield and productivity rise by 10 percent.
- Water Efficiency: Plant-available water and water use efficiency increase by 15 percent and 20 percent, respectively.
- Soil Health: Soil organic carbon and available phosphorus levels improve by 40 percent.
- Environmental Impact: Nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions are significantly reduced.
Successful Local Applications The technology has already shown impressive results in Philippine pilot projects:
- Bacolor, Pampanga: The Kapampangan Development Foundation, Inc. (KDFI), led by Manuel Pangilinan, uses biochar paired with chicken manure to rehabilitate infertile soil damaged by lahar. This has successfully supported the growth of certified coconut hybrids, cacao, and durian.
- Iba, Zambales: The Institute of Area Management (IAM), chaired by Philip Camara, demonstrated that a small farmer can build a biochar kiln for only P7,000.
Financial Gains for Small Farmers Case studies show that a tiered system of biochar use can significantly boost rural incomes:
- The Biochar Producer: A farmer processing waste from 30 households can earn a monthly net income of P30,000.
- The Fertilizer Maker: A second farmer combining biochar with manure can earn an additional P8,500.
- The End User (Rice Farmer): By switching from costly chemical fertilizers to biochar-based organic alternatives, a rice farmer can save P8,500 per hectare. Combined with a 10 percent yield increase, this results in a total income boost of P15,500 per hectare.
A Call to Action Ordoñez argued that given declining soil fertility and low productivity in the Philippines, biochar should be implemented across clustered small farms nationwide. He called for an immediate joint public-private initiative to provide farmers with the necessary technical guidance and simple kiln technology to replicate these successes on a larger scale.