An Analysis of the Use of Biochar Technology in Benin

Abstract

Fossil fuels are the primary sources of energy used in the world. They are polluting and detrimental to the environment. To meet this challenge, renewable energies with a better environmental footprint and that are inexhaustible have been developed. This is the case with biochar, an intriguing alternative to the unsustainable use of traditional energy (firewood, charcoal, and natural gas) in developing nations. Biochar is a clean and sustainable energy source. Unfortunately, this technology needs to be used more in Benin. In order to understand the low level of use of biochar in Benin, this research was carried out. A semi-directive survey of Benins biochar producers and consumers was conducted as the first step in the approach used to identify and analyze the factors that influence the adoption of biochar. The purposive sampling technique was used to select three towns in Benin republic with large populations and where biochar factories are located (Porto-Novo, Cotonou, and Abomey-Calavi). In the second step, the manufacturing process of biochars was analyzed. The findings showed that 56% of surveyed households had adopted biochar compared to 44% who had not. Low ignition and combustion, crumbling, and late delivery of biochars are factors in the need for more adoption. The reasons for the non-adoption are low ignition and combustion, crumbling, and late delivery of biochars.