In Kedah, a rural state in Malaysia where most rice cultivation activities take place, Pak Amir walks through his rice fields, watching the sky and hoping the rains come on time. The soil has been tired for years, worn down by decades of chemical fertilisers. Leftover crop residues, once a resource, are often burned in open fields or left to rot in piles. Both methods have their costs. Smoke clouds the village in haze, and decomposition can leach nutrients into nearby streams. For farmers like Pak Amir, every season is a balancing act between keeping crops alive and protecting the environment.

In Selangor, the story is slightly different but just as pressing. Farmers who want to farm organically face the steep price of certified inputs, sometimes three times higher than conventional fertilisers. Producing enough to sustain their farms without breaking the bank is a constant struggle.

The promise and challenge of biochar

Biochar has been around for centuries. Amazonian tribes discovered long ago that turning biomass into charcoal and mixing it into the soil made it fertile again. Today, the knowledge exists, but scaling it for smallholders has been tricky. Making biochar at meaningful levels can be expensive and labour-intensive, and historically, there were limited financial incentives to adopt the practice.

At Reclimate, we addressed both the technical and financial barriers. Carbon finance creates a clear incentive. Each ton of biochar applied can lock away carbon, which farmers can translate into verified credits. Suddenly, the centuries-old practice becomes not just useful but financially viable.

Finance alone is not enough. Many farmers do not know how to make biochar efficiently, safely, or without smoke. We provide simple, low-cost techniques so they can turn residues into biochar directly on their fields. This avoids costly transport to central hubs and reduces emissions along the way. Producing biochar in place means farmers can control the process, reduce risks, and adopt the practice even in remote areas.

Also Read: Eco-investing: Driving change through climate technology and strategic finance

The benefits are immediate. In Kedah, Pak Amir sees healthier rice plants and soils that hold water longer during dry spells. Open burning is gone, and decomposition is managed, keeping nutrients in the field instead of in rivers. In Selangor, organic farmers are turning waste into their own soil amendments, cutting costs and staying within certification rules.

Biochar also improves water retention. Its porous structure keeps moisture in the soil, meaning crops need less irrigation. At the same time, runoff is reduced, so fewer nutrients and chemicals reach rivers and streams. Some trial plots show a 15 to 25 percent increase in water retention compared with untreated soil. This boost can make the difference in a dry season.

Climate impact and regional lessons

The climate benefits are measurable. Agricultural burning in Malaysia alone releases more than 1.2 million tons of CO₂ equivalent each year. Biochar locks roughly 2.5 tons of CO₂ per ton applied, keeping it stable in the soil. That is a tangible way smallholders can fight climate change right from their fields.

Beyond Malaysia, similar challenges exist. In Sri Lanka, government bans on chemical fertilisers and financial pressure have reduced crop yields. Farmers using coconut-shell biochar have restored soil health and stabilised production, strengthening food security. The solution tackles both adaptation by making soils resilient to climate shocks and mitigation by capturing carbon before it reaches the atmosphere.

Scaling this practice has required careful thinking. Traditional centralised biochar hubs, where biomass is transported miles for processing, are costly and energy-intensive. By producing biochar directly on farms, we cut both costs and emissions. Farmers also gain practical skills for applying biochar effectively and tracking outcomes, which is crucial for carbon finance programs.

The results are real. Pak Amir reports stronger rice growth and fewer losses during dry periods. Organic farmers in Selangor have cut reliance on external inputs by up to 60 percent, saving money while protecting their soils. Across the region, agricultural residues are no longer waste; they are a resource that builds resilience, reduces environmental harm, and contributes to climate action.

Communities see the benefits too. Soils that hold water better mean more reliable food production. Eliminating open burning improves air quality. Reduced runoff protects waterways. Carbon finance offers additional income, creating incentives for long-term sustainability. When adopted at scale, these practices reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and help communities adapt to climate change.

Scaling for Southeast Asia

Looking ahead, we are exploring expansion into the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, and beyond. Many of these countries are low- or middle-income and face severe climate impacts. Smallholders there need solutions that combine adaptation and mitigation. Biochar fits perfectly. It improves soils, stabilises yields, cuts waste burning, stores carbon, and saves water.

For farmers like Pak Amir, the future is about more than surviving each season. It is about thriving with practical tools that boost productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen resilience. For communities and governments, it is proof that smallholder agriculture can be part of the climate solution when combined with accessible technology, knowledge, and measurable incentives.

Also Read: Investing in impact: High-growth tech for climate and community

The challenge now is scaling these practices even further. How do we ensure every smallholder in Southeast Asia has access to the tools and know-how that make climate-smart agriculture possible? How can governments, NGOs, and private actors work together to provide incentives, training, and monitoring systems that turn a centuries-old practice into a modern, sustainable solution?

Low-cost, in-place biochar production combined with technical training and carbon finance offers a blueprint for resilient agriculture. It respects the realities of smallholder farming while addressing climate, water, and soil challenges. As Southeast Asia faces increasingly severe climate threats, solutions like this at the intersection of adaptation and mitigation may define the future of sustainable farming.

—

Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Enjoyed this read? Don’t miss out on the next insight. Join our WhatsApp channel for real-time drops.

Image courtesy: Canva Pro

The post Soil, smoke, and solutions: Farming meets climate action appeared first on e27.