On 3 December 2025, SAA convened partners at its Bugolobi office for the official kick-off meeting of the Project for Regenerative Agriculture Development Combined with Biochar Application in Uganda. The three-year initiatives supported by Japan’s Policy and Human Resource Development Grant (PHRDG) through the African Development Bank (AfDB). With a total investment of USD 1,000,000, the project aims to sustainably improve smallholder farmers productivity, soil health, food security, and job creation through regenerative agriculture supported by functional biochar technologies.

The meeting brought together key implementing partners including Makerere University, Mountains of the Moon University, Tottori University (Japan), COTS COTS , alongside a representative from the AfDB. Discussions focused on project objectives, roles, work plan, certification processes, and research priorities over the three-year project period (2026–2027).

Participants in Discussion

SAA Country Director, Mr. Robert Anyang, opened the meeting by emphasizing the urgency of restoring Uganda’s depleted soils and accelerating the transition of biochar from research environments into widespread farmer practice. He highlighted the project’s potential to commercialize biochar, strengthen extension systems, and unlock opportunities through carbon credit incentives.

From SAA Headquarters, Ms. Reina Sawada provided a comprehensive project overview, highlighting the strategic role of biochar in improving soil health, crop yields, and carbon sequestration. She also outlined the roles of universities, and SAA’s One Stop Center Associations (OSCAs) in research, production and dissemination.

Representing the AfDB, Asaph Nuwagira commended partners for their technical preparation and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting smooth implementation. He urged the team to maintain strong communication, adhere to annual work-planning cycles, fast-track certification processes, and ensure government engagement from the onset to support long-term adoption and financing. He signaled the Bank’s interest to see scientific innovations translated into practical farmer-centered results and contribute to climate-smart agriculture in Uganda.

Mr. Asaph, a representative from the AfDB, gives his remarks

In his detailed technical presentation, Professor Peter Ebanyat of Makerere University emphasized the need for context-specific soil and crop research, biochar enrichment strategies, and a deeper understanding of soil microbial interactions. He highlighted the importance of carbon sequestration studies, nutrient profiling, and socio-economic assessments including gender and youth dimensions to ensure effective and sustained farmer adoption.

From Mountains of the Moon University, Dr. Wacal Cosmas shared ongoing innovations, including low-cost carbonizers, pit methods, and student-led experiments on rice husk and maize residue biochar. He also showcased Mi Soil Fertility, a mobile-based extension tool under development, alongside biochar-based innovations such as organo-phosphate fertilizers, nutrient-enhanced biochar, and liquid biochar products like “Bio-Moon.”

Professor Eiji Nishihara of Tottori University presented detailed methodologies for developing functional biochar, conducting laboratory and field trials, optimizing pyrolysis parameters, and establishing robust systems for carbon credit certification. He also recommended pathways for strengthening research collaboration between universities, improving soil health mapping, and aligning biochar formulations with soil typologies and crop requirements.

Prof Nishihara from Tottori University making his presentation

On innovations for small-scale and commercial biochar production, Mr. Emmanuel Ngabirano presented a suite of pyrolysis technologies, the Eco pyro TLDU Reactor, Funnel System, and Multi-Bio-Kiln explaining their efficiencies, safety features, production capacities, and potential for by-product commercialization. He emphasized the role of pyrolysis systems in income generation, youth employment, and expanding regenerative agriculture opportunities.

Representing COTS COTS, Ms. Miyashita Fumiko outlined the company’s role in developing carbon-certified kilns capable of meeting Carbon Standards International (CSI) requirements, an essential gateway for enabling farmers, cooperatives, and processors to participate in the global carbon credit market. She underscored the importance of designing kilns tailored to local conditions, addressing biomass competition, and ensuring sustainability through private-sector-led certification.

Across the discussions, partners affirmed a unified vision: developing context-appropriate biochar systems for small, medium, and large-scale farmer cooperatives in central, eastern, and western regions and strengthening Uganda’s capacity to generate verified carbon credits through certified biochar practices.

In his remarks, Dr. Shotaro Kikuchi, the Program Manager at SAA Headquarter, commended the partners for their strong preparation and expressed confidence that the project would generate tangible benefits for farming communities. The meeting closed with renewed commitment from the Country Director, reiterating SAA’s vision for every farmer’s produce to eventually bear a Carbon Smart certification mark unlocking higher yields, carbon credit income, and premium market opportunities. With strong multi-institutional collaboration, the project is poised to deliver groundbreaking outcomes for climate-smart agriculture and farmer livelihoods in Uganda.