Succesful study tour on Artisan C-Sink Credits in Kenya

14.11.2024

Artisan C-Sink study tour accompanied by Annett Pollex and Sophia Bothe with representatives of Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia, Bureau of Agricultural Oromia, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), and Jimma University and guided by a team of Circular Bionutrient Economy Network and PlantVillage headed off from Nairobi to Koriema (Kenya) in the Baringo county where it kicked-off with presentations from the PlantVillage on the C-Sink manager role and Global Artisanal Accreditation Process.

During the week, the tour participants were given the opportunity to meet PlantVillage’s practitioners who work on their own fields, with a cooperative or communities. They met inspiring people who use invasive species or crop residues to create biochar-based fertiliser as amendment for depleted soil and a carbon sink at the same time. The demonstration of the PlantVillage app for production documentation - necessary for carbon crediting - showed the importance innovative approaches.

Participants of the Artisan C-Sink study tour gained valuable insights in applied strategies and procedures of biomass mobilisation and pre-treatment. The participants were especially impressed by the biochar production from maize straw employing an automated KonTiki tower.

The apparent interest and commitment from CECM for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Hon Edward Sawe, who also participated in the field visit, provides strong support and helps to pave the way for these agricultural transformations. 

We express our deep gratitude for the excellent organization of the tour, the highly engaged team of Circular Bionutrient Economy Network and PlantVillage accompanying and supporting the tour. We also thank all participants who made the study tour a success! And we eagerly look forward to the implementation of the Artisan C-Sink certification system in Ethiopia.