Alex Kabiru, a 34-year-old entrepreneur in Kenya’s central region, has transformed rice husks, a problematic agricultural by-product, into a profitable and eco-friendly business. Rice husks, which are often discarded or burned, are now used in Kabiru’s biochar production facility. Biochar, created through a pyrolysis process, improves soil fertility, reduces acidity, and helps retain carbon, benefiting local farmers and organic fertilizer producers. Kabiru’s efforts not only create jobs but also promote sustainable agriculture and waste management. Other local innovators, like Alex Odundo, have developed eco-friendly cookstoves powered by rice husks, while Maurice Lango turns rice straw into nutrient-rich vermicompost. These initiatives, supported by organizations like Kilimo Trust and academic institutions, aim to make rice production more sustainable and address climate change by reusing agricultural waste and promoting eco-friendly farming practices.
In Uganda, similar efforts include value-added products from rice by-products and climate-smart practices, helping smallholder farmers boost productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve soil health. This innovative approach to rice farming is becoming crucial in addressing environmental concerns and food security challenges in East Africa.