Volterra Ecosystems joins GO BIOCHARGAE

At Volterra Ecosystems, we are pleased to announce our participation in the BIOCHARGAE Operational Group (GO-BioChargae), an ambitious innovation project that seeks to transform current agricultural systems through the integration of technological, biological, and digital solutions. The goal: to promote regenerative, climate-smart agriculture with low external inputs.

 

A multidisciplinary consortium at the service of agriculture

The project is coordinated by the Ayesa Foundation and involves a consortium of entities that cover the entire agricultural value chain:

Together we work to develop practical solutions that improve the sustainability and profitability of agricultural holdings, especially those dedicated to woody crops such as citrus and almond trees.

 

What does GO-BioChargae consist of?

The project is based on a circular economy model founded on the use of agricultural residues (such as pruning waste, shells, and other plant by-products) to produce biochar through a controlled pyrolysis process. This biochar is applied to the soil as an agricultural amendment due to its ability to improve soil structure and fertility, increase water retention, and store carbon in a stable manner.

But the innovation does not end there. The biochar is combined with microalgae cultivated through photobioreactors installed on the farms themselves. This combination yields a natural bioinput with biostimulant and regenerative properties, whose effectiveness will be evaluated in the field to determine its effects on crop nutrition, soil biological activity, and water efficiency.

 

Volterra Ecosystems' role: biochar and knowledge transfer

At Volterra Ecosystems, we contribute our expertise in biochar production through Kon-Tiki kiln pyrolysis, an accessible and low-cost technique that allows farmers to self-manage their own plant residues.

Our role in the project includes:

  1. Production of biochar from agricultural residual biomass
  2. Transfer of the Kon-Tiki kiln pyrolysis technique to participating farmers and cooperatives
  3. Technical advice to guarantee the quality of the biochar produced and its correct application to the soil

This work is essential for the model to be replicable and scalable, allowing medium and small farms to adopt this technology without large investments.

 

Digitalization and decision support

BIOCHARGAE will also develop a digital decision-support platform. Based on sensors, agroclimatic data, and multispectral images, the tool will enable:

  • Monitoring of soil and crop status
  • Providing recommendations to adjust irrigation, fertilization, and the application of bioinputs
  • Incorporating a voice interaction system to facilitate its use by farmers

This platform is especially designed for medium and small farms, favoring their incorporation into the digital transition without technical barriers.

 

Carbon credits: a new source of income for farmers

Another key objective of the initiative is to analyze the carbon sequestration potential associated with the use of biochar and to study the technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility of transforming it into carbon credits within voluntary markets. This will allow farmers to diversify their sources of income and actively contribute to the decarbonization of the agri-food system.

 

Funding and alignment with European policies

GO-BioChargae is 80% subsidized by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The authority responsible for managing the EAFRD aid is the Directorate-General for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-Food Training of the Ministry.

In addition, the project has the support of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development) within the framework of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP-Agri). Total investment: €599,383.59

The project aligns with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the "Farm to Fork" Strategy, and the new CAP 2023–2027, responding directly to the challenges of sustainability, efficiency, and climate adaptation in the primary sector.

 

Duration and next steps

GO-BioChargae has an estimated duration of 2 to 3 years, during which the different phases of the project will be developed: from the production of biochar and microalgae to the field validation of the bioinputs, the development of the digital platform, and the feasibility analysis of carbon credits.

At Volterra Ecosystems, we are excited to be part of this initiative that positions innovation as a key tool for the agroecological and digital transformation of Spanish agriculture. We will continue to share progress and results through our blog.