Potential for Farmers’ Cooperatives to Convert Coffee Husks into Biochar and Promote the Bioeconomy in the North Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

Improving the livelihoods of communities living in fragile ecosystems, such as tropical forests, is among the main strategies to promote their conservation and preserve wildlife. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, farmers’ cooperatives are recognized as an important mechanism to improve the socioeconomic conditions of local communities. This study analyzes the integration of pyrolysis processes to convert agricultural waste into biochar as a way to implement the bioeconomy in these organizations. We found that post-harvesting processes in the studied farmers’ cooperatives are similar, and coffee husks are a potential feedstock to produce biochar. Although the environmental policies in Ecuador consider the valorization of agricultural waste, we did not find any specific standard to regulate the operation of pyrolysis facilities. Nonetheless, conversion of agricultural waste into biochar can contribute to (i) replacement of subsidized fossil fuels used in drying processes, (ii) prevention of environmental pollution caused by accumulation of waste, (iii) emergence of new income sources linked with the provision of carbon sequestration services, and (iv) the long-term maintenance of soil fertility. Currently, demonstration projects are needed to stimulate collaboration among farmers’ cooperatives, academia, the government, international cooperation agencies, and existing forest conservation initiatives.

An Analysis of Irish Dairy Farmers’ Participation in the Bioeconomy: Exploring Power and Knowledge Dynamics in a Multi-actor EIP-AGRI Operational Group

“…Peer-to-peer learning and the sharing of 'good practice' represents a core objective of EIP-AGRI [140]. The centrality of co-operatives in providing a structure for farmers to gain access to the bioeconomy reiterates findings from other studies focused on primary producer involvement in the bioeconomy [21,62,141,142]. An additional element of exclusion within this OG was the type of farmer that could participate.…”

Conversion of quinoa and lupin agro-residues into biochar in the Andes: An experimental study in a pilot-scale auger-type reactor

“…It is worth to highlight that application of biochar in soils by Andean farmers can result in carbon removal certificates, that properly traced and traded, could be another source of income for farmers ( Heredia Salgado et al, 2021 ). However, complex technical and bureaucratic processes are required to register a farmer as a provider of carbon sequestration services ( Bier et al, 2020 ; Schmidt et al, 2020 ).…”