Sun24 could potentially end the production of charcoal in Africa

Summary: Every farmer can now make free char for briquettes from crop waste without special equipment.

Sun24, an American non-governmental organisation, has introduced Africa to the top-down burn method of producing char from crop waste.

For the first time, farmers can easily produce and sell high-quality briquettes at a lower cost than charcoal.

The high cost of producing char has limited the production of briquettes. Char is now simple to make using the top down burn method. Make a pile of crop waste (such as maize stalks or rice straw) and light the top. 

When the fire dies down, use water to quench the embers and create char. It is that simple. And, almost miraculously, there is no smoke. Watch this striking video here.

The char can be made into high quality briquettes with just a small plastic pipe. So all farmers can make good profit making and selling briquettes.

Watch here is a summary of the pipe method.

Africa produces 62 percent of the world’s charcoal, most of which comes from forests. In Africa, charcoal production is increasing as urban populations grow. Very little charcoal is produced sustainably. 

Charcoal production is a main driver of deforestation in Africa. Deforestation in Africa is happening at four times the global rate with 40,000 square kilometers lost each year.

“We now have an incredible opportunity to end the production and use of charcoal in Africa,” says Kevin McLean, the president of Sun24. 

“Smallholder farmers can easily be trained on the top down burn method. They can make free char with very little extra work. And they can earn extra income making briquettes from the char and selling the briquettes. 

“While farmers are making money selling briquettes to replace charcoal, they will be greatly reducing climate damage, deforestation and air pollution. Let’s put an end to the filthy production of charcoal in Africa,” he added.

Published for PR Newswire on behalf of Sun24.