The Magic of Terra Preta

Biochar has a longhistory in human history, most notably in the advanced cultures in South America. It allowed human civilization to flourish in a nutrient poor Amazon basin. Though many claims have been made about the benefits of biochar to increasing soil fertility and resilience, we take a conservative approach in our promotion of this alternative soil amendment. 
 
There is one area where biochar excels:

maintaining adequate soil moisture especially during periods of drought or erratic rainfall.

Even if none of the other claims about biochar are reliable, its ability to absorb and hold water is especially useful in regions where rainfall can be erratic or non-existent.
 
In the Koundara prefecture where I am Guinea operates, rainfall can be erratic or nonexistent for weeks at a time. This of course can adversely affect agricultural production, and consequently the ability of a population to feed itself. We feel biochar can be a useful and inexpensive “insurance policy” in a region where no one has the Guineans back!