The journal Sustainability recently published a study by Erica Porato and Rasoul Yousefpour that explores the potential for biochar adoption in rural Costa Rica. Biochar can improve soil health and trap carbon underground for centuries. Despite its benefits for sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, the researchers found that 68.4 percent of the surveyed farmers had never heard of it before the study began. This significant knowledge gap represents a major hurdle for the country as it strives to meet its ambitious carbon neutrality goals by 2050.

The research indicates that the likelihood of a farmer knowing about biochar is closely linked to their level of education. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between formal schooling and biochar awareness, suggesting that outreach programs should be tailored to reach those with less access to academic resources. While many farmers were unfamiliar with the term, once the concept was explained, a majority expressed a strong interest in its use. Specifically, 52.6 percent of participants were interested in using biochar as a fertilizer to boost crop productivity, while 42.1 percent saw its value for sequestering carbon to help the environment.

Farm size also plays a critical role in determining who can realistically produce this material. The study found that larger farms, particularly those involved in forestry or agroforestry, are significantly more likely to produce woody biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More waste. This is the primary ingredient needed to create high-quality biochar. Because larger operations have a steady supply of this “raw material,” they are better positioned to adopt the technology. In contrast, 64.1 percent of the farmers surveyed managed small plots of less than 10 hectares, meaning they may lack the steady stream of waste or the financial resources needed to produce biochar on their own.

Technical trials conducted during the study proved that simple, low-cost kilns can produce biochar of acceptable quality. Using local tree species, the researchers created biochar with carbon stability levels as high as 85.3 percent. This demonstrates that expensive, high-tech machinery is not strictly necessary for successful production. However, the study also noted that these simple methods sometimes result in higher ashAsh is the non-combustible inorganic residue that remains after organic matter, like wood or biomass, is completely burned. It consists mainly of minerals and is different from biochar, which is produced through incomplete combustion.   Ash Ash is the residue that remains after the complete More content and incomplete burning, especially during the humid rainy season. This suggests that while the technology is accessible, farmers will need specific training to manage the process effectively under local weather conditions.

Beyond education and farm size, several structural barriers prevent biochar from becoming a standard tool in Costa Rican agriculture. Farmers identified knowledge gaps as the top obstacle, followed closely by a lack of access to resources and the necessary equipment. Only a small fraction of respondents cited direct financial costs as their primary concern, indicating that the problem is more about “how” and “with what” rather than just the price tag. The researchers suggest that creating cooperatives where farmers share equipment and knowledge could be the best way to help small-scale landholders overcome these hurdles.

To move forward, the study recommends that the Costa Rican government integrate biochar into existing environmental programs, such as the Payment for Ecosystem Services. By providing financial incentives or technical support, the state could encourage more landholders to turn their agricultural waste into a soil-enhancing resource. This transition would not only help individual farmers improve their harvests but also support the broader national mission to restore degraded land and combat the global climate crisis through innovative, community-based solutions.

Source: Porato, E., & Yousefpour, R. (2026). Socioeconomic and cognitive determinants of biochar implementation in tropical land management: A case study from rural Costa Rica. Sustainability, 18(5), 2662.