Acidic soils and poor nutrient availability severely constrain agricultural productivity in many high rainfall regions, leaving local crop yields far below their true potential. Farmers often rely entirely on mineral fertilizers, but continuous applications without organic matter or soil amendments fail to maintain long-term soil health. Transforming abundant agricultural byproducts like coffee husks into a stable soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More offers an innovative way to improve soil structure, retain vital moisture, and capture carbon. When paired with balanced mineral nutrients containing nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and boron, these organic practices can successfully transform degraded lands into productive agricultural fields.

Field experiments conducted in Southwestern Ethiopia demonstrated that integrating specific rates of coffee husk biochar and blended mineral fertilizers dramatically improves crop performance, particularly when paired with agricultural lime to neutralize soil acidity. The highest grain yield reached nearly four tons per hectare, representing a massive 149 percent increase compared to unfertilized control plots. Beyond sheer productivity, partial budget evaluations confirmed that this optimized treatment generated the highest net economic benefit alongside extraordinary marginal rates of return. Ultimately, blending organic waste management with precision mineral nutrition provides a robust, profitable roadmap for smallholder farmers striving to overcome chronic soil constraints and achieve food security.

Source: Bekele, K., Zewide, I., & Wato, T. (2026). Integrated coffee husk biochar and NPSB fertilizer improve bread wheat productivity in acidic soils. Scientific Reports.