A recent LinkedIn post from RecyCoal, SoilSister, and Generation Restoration e.V. presents a structured approach to tracking biochar from feedstock to soil application, using PlantVillage+ as their dMRV partner. The work is implemented in smallholder contexts in Africa, using decentralized production systems. Part of the underlying survey data is publicly available, offering a useful reference point.

The model is organized across three stages. Feedstock is sourced from agricultural residues and dried to manage moisture levels. Pyrolysis runs are documented through timestamps, geotagged images, and temperature monitoring. The final material is mixed with compost, both to reduce the likelihood of alternative uses and to support soil application.

This reflects a broader shift in the sector. There is increasing emphasis on traceability, data capture, and transparency across the production chain, including in distributed and small-scale project models.

At the same time, context matters.

In artisanal and decentralized systems, variability is expected. Feedstock type, moisture, operator practices, and local conditions can differ from one batch to another. Traceability systems help document these activities, but they do not fully capture all sources of variation.

Similarly, measures taken to reduce reversal risk, such as mixing with compost, address part of the permanence question. Long-term carbon stability remains influenced by site-specific factors, including soil conditions, climate, and land management practices, which can vary significantly across regions.

For practitioners and project developers, this points to the need to view traceability as one component within a broader system, particularly in smallholder and distributed production contexts.

Credibility is strengthened when three elements align:

• clear and consistent operational records
• robust measurement and verification approaches
• evidence of performance under real field conditions

As traceability becomes more widely adopted, attention is likely to shift toward how well these elements connect across different project scales and geographies.

The key question is not only whether activities are documented, but how effectively that information reflects system performance over time.

Source: LinkedIn post by RecyCoal, Linda Lingenauber, Mariama Ami Diop et al.

• Production survey: https://lnkd.in/ei95mGsr
• Mixing survey: https://lnkd.in/evY3bzVU