Maldives Employs Coconut Shells as Fertilizer

Coconut Shells to Help the Maldives Achieve Carbon Neutrality

Coconut to be Used as Fertilizer

The Maldives has begun using discarded coconut shells as a fertilizer which will help the island nation achieve carbon neutrality – the country’s goal is to become the first carbon neutral country in the world.  The plan is to achieve carbon neutral status by the year 2020.

Coconut Shell Qualities and Uses

By burning the coconut shells, the Maldives will be able to create a substance known as biochar, a charcoal with a high carbon content that decomposes over a long period of time.  While it decomposes, it is used as a fertilizer as it nourishes the soil.

Coconut Waste Project

The new coconut-burning project is a joint venture between the Maldivian Government and Carbon Gold, a UK Company.  While the scheme helps the islands get rid of unwanted organic waste and creates the biochar fertilizer, it also helps make the country less dependent on imported fertilizers.  The company also says that biochar is an effective way of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Maldives Communities Involved

The idea is to place kilns in each of the villages of the Maldives, which would allow locals to burn their own coconuts and create their own fertilizers.  Currently, a lot of money is spent by people all over the island nation on fertilizers imported from India, since the soil quality is so poor.

Role Model for Other Tropical Countries

Considering the number of tropical countries around the world that have an excess of coconuts and an over-dependency on unnatural fertilizers, the idea of turning coconuts into biochar could be a great idea for many other countries around the world.

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