Problem

• Prosopis juliflora (from South America), an invasive species introduced to "green" the desert, has spread rapidly and displaced native plants, worsening overgrazing and ecosystem collapse.

 

Goals

• Scale up biochar/charcoal production with better packaging and machinery.

• Partner with East African experts to refine techniques.

• Turn Prosopis from a threat into an economic and ecological asset.

 

Activities

• As of today the DECAN project produces charcoal from prosopis and sells them in large 18kgs bags in local supemarkets for locals to use for cooking or heat. It is a more ecological solution than making charcoal from acacia trees. The DECAN project is working to sell them in smaller bags that will be more convenient for local residents to buy. 

• They are facing the competition of charcoal imported from Turkey that are sold in smaller bags and that is less expensive 

• KlimateNet members are collaborating with Bertrand Lafrance, DECAN founder to assess the option of producing biochar with prosospis 

• Biochar enriches soil, boosts agriculture, and locks away carbon.

• Bertrand is also exploring the optoins to harvest the  Prosopis fruit and to transform it into flour to feed animals feed and potentially humans (requires further R&D). The harvest needs to be done in season (Months of April/May) 

 

Innovation & Impact

• The project turns an environmental problem (invasive species) into an economic opportunity.

• Biochar production has potential for both environmental restoration and local economic development.

• KlimateNet members are also investigating the option to produce biomass that could be buried underground 

 

Challenges

• Packaging is currently in large, impractical bags; smaller, more attractive packaging is needed for wider adoption.

• The market is challenged by cheaper imported charcoal

• Lack of formal accounting/reporting limits growth and transparency (cash-based business).

• Production is limited by expertise, funding, and the need for better equipment (e.g., machines to standardize charcoal shapes).

 

Future Needs and opportunities 

• Develop smaller packaging and clearer branding to distinguish Prosopis charcoal from traditional acacia charcoal.

• Secure funding to improve production technology and business operations.

• Explore use of Prosopis fruit as animal feed, requiring further research and equipment to process seeds for livestock health.

 

Success Metrics

• Volume of Prosopis removed and processed: DECAN produces 56 bags of 18kg each of charlcoal per month (tbc) i.e between 6 to 12 tonnes per year 

• Sales of biochar/charcoal (by unit/weight).

• Number of local jobs created.

• DECAN has direct access to less than 100 tonnes of prosopis biomass every year but there is massive potential in the country 

• Potential amount of tonnes of carbon  equivalent that could be removed by eradicating prosopis in Djibouti 

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