Community Biochar Project

Often times, Agricultural waste is underutilized or burned, which can negatively impact the environment. To help mitigate this issue, Robinson, a retail brand under Central Retail, has partnered with the Ban Thep Na Economic Crop Community Enterprise to support the development of a community-based biochar initiative. This collaboration involves co-investing in the construction of a facility for producing biochar and high-quality charcoal fuel, with the aim of enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing production costs, and minimizing environmental impact.

The partnership focuses on research and development of biochar production technologies that utilize agricultural waste materials. The resulting biochar can be used to improve soil quality in crop fields and boost the resilience of economic crops—particularly avocados—helping them better withstand drought conditions. Additionally, the biochar serves as a clean energy fuel source at the community level.

We at Central Retail believe in creating sustainable and long-term impacts, so to ensure this, the project also includes training sessions and capacity-building programs for farmers and enterprise members. These sessions aim to develop skills and promote knowledge about both the production and practical application of biochar, helping to strengthen the community’s self-reliance and elevate production standards. In addition, a portion of the agricultural output from the enterprise has already been selected for distribution through Tops stores, integrating local products into modern retail channels.

This project not only reduces environmental impact from chemical fertilizer use but also acts as a critical mechanism for building community resilience in the face of climate change. There are also plans to expand the initiative to other areas in Thep Sathit District, aiming to raise the long-term productivity and sustainability standards of local farmers.