Turning Farm Waste into Climate Wealth
Born from bold ambition and grounded in innovation, the Cinch Markets Biochar Project is transforming Kenyan agriculture and proving how farming can become a force for climate action.
The Challenge
Across Kenya, vast amounts of crop residues are burned or left to decompose, releasing carbon and polluting local air. Cinch Markets, in partnership with sustainability experts Eight Versa, set out to ask: how can this waste fuel a regenerative future?
The Solution: Biochar
After reviewing options such as composting and regenerative agriculture, biochar stood out as the best pathway. Produced by heating crop residues in low-oxygen conditions, biochar locks away carbon for centuries while enriching soils.
Why biochar works for Cinch Markets:
- Minimal disruption to existing farming
- Fast-tracked carbon credit generation
- Strong financial returns
- Long-term environmental impact
Project Scope
Biochar Impact on the Land
Project Scope
The project spans 6,000 acres in Solio and Naivasha, with expansion near Nairobi. Maize and castor crops provide over 15,000 tonnes of residue annually, set to double as farming grows. Instead of being wasted, this biomass is converted into biochar through advanced slow pyrolysis systems designed for local conditions.
Impact by the Numbers
- Up to 7,700-11,500 Carbon Removal Credits (CORCs) per year from maize
- 2,300-2,900 CORCs per year from castor
- Each tonne of biochar locks away ~2.3 tonnes of CO2
- Potential annual carbon revenue: $1.5-$3m, plus additional income from by-products like wood vinegar and bio-oil
Beyond Carbon: Community Benefits
The project is designed with people at its heart. By replacing open burning, it cuts air pollution and improves community health. Returning biochar to soils boosts water retention, fertility, and resilience, vital for food security in Kenya’s changing climate.
It also generates skilled local jobs in operations, logistics, and supervision, while surplus energy from the pyrolysis process can support nearby villages. Community engagement, training, and partnerships with cooperatives ensure that benefits are locally owned and sustainable.
Certified Climate Integrity
Eight Versa is guiding the project through Puro.earth certification, including a full Life Cycle Assessment to verify carbon removals. This ensures every credit issued is backed by robust science and transparent auditing.
Water Accumulation Point from Boreholes
Looking Ahead
With feasibility studies complete and certification underway, Cinch Markets is scaling up operations to launch in early 2025. The vision: a replicable, circular model of farming that delivers cleaner air, healthier soils, renewable energy, and lasting community opportunity.
