Conversion of agricultural wastes into eco-friendly and low cost biochar is not only a smart recycling strategy but a panacea to environmental pollution management. Agricultural wastes biochar can be an effective alternative technique for controlling contaminants due to its low cost, high-efficiency, simple to use, ecological sustainability and reliability in terms of public safety. Biochars have made substantial breakthroughs in reducing greenhouse gases emissions, reducing soil nutrient leaching, sequester atmospheric carbon into the soil, increasing agricultural productivity, and reducing bioavailability of environmental contaminants. Recent advances in the understanding of biochars warrant a proper scientific evaluation of the relationship between its properties and impact on soil properties, environmental pollutant remediation, plant growth, yield, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The main factors controlling biochar properties include the nature of feedstock, heat transfer rate, residence time and pyrolysis temperature. Biochar efficacy in pollutants management largely depends on its elemental composition, ion-exchange capacity, pore size distribution and surface area, which vary with the nature of feedstock, preparation conditions and procedures. The chapter explored the possibility of using biochar from agricultural wastes as a suitable alternative for the remediation of environmental pollutants, soil conditioning and the long-term biochar application in the environment.

Soil moisture has a vital role in the cultivation of crops. Its sufficiency and availability to crop- water supplies depends on the management practices of soil and amount of available water to the soil. This study examines the influence of rice husk biochar on the water holding capacity of soil in the savannah ecological zone of Ghana. Increasing rate of rice husk biochar increased water-holding capacity of soils. 4t/ha rice husk biochar showed higher significant differences among the treatments. It is recommended that 4t/ha rice husk biochar should be applied to increase the water-holding capacity of the soil.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the outcome of rice husk biochar on growth performance of moringa. The study was carried-out in a greenhouse for 52 days. Different rates of rice husk biochar (150 to 350 g) was mixed with 500 g of soil. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 treatments (each of which was replicated 3 times) was used, giving a total of 12 experimental units. Plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were assessed for each treatment. Results indicate that rice husk biochar (150 g, 250 g and 350 g) significantly increased the stem diameter of moringa as compared to that of the control 52 days after in the greenhouse. An increase in the number of leaves were observed at 150 g rice husk biochar after 40 days compared to the control. There were significant differences between treatments effects on all the parameters. Different rates of biochar certainly could constitute vital use of fertilizer to improve growth moringa in the nursery.

This study was conducted in the Tolon district of Ghana to determine small-scale farmers' perceptions, motivation and problems faced by them in the adoption of agroforestry practices. Primary data were collected through a pre-structured questionnaire from a sample of 200 respondents who were selected using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data analysis was done by using the percentage and total weighted score (TWS) method. Most of the farmers in the study area have a positive perception of the adoption of agroforestry practices. Crop diversification, high returns and risk minimisation were the major motivational factor, whereas small landholding size, lack of awareness and poor knowledge, poor market accessibility, lack of subsidy, credit facility, lack of good quality planting material and longer period for tree growth were the major problems faced by the farmers in the study area. Thus, the study suggested that farmers can be encouraged to practice agroforestry through improved agroforestry extension services, cooperative groups and distribution of quality planting material to farmers.

Ammal A, Mariam M. 2020. Contribution of non-timber forest products to livelihood of rural communities in Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana. Asian J For 4: 10-14. This survey concentrated on the contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to the livelihood of rural communities in the Kumbungu District of Ghana. Data were collected by structured questionnaires and verbal interviews to obtain information from sampled members of the communities' in the Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana. Personal interviews and direct observation were carried out. 200 structured questionnaires were administered randomly to respondents in 5 selected communities in Kumbungu District. The selected communities were Cheyohi, Kpalchi, Kokpeng, Zuolanyili, and Garizew. 40 questionnaires were administered in each community and this was used to prompt information on the uses of NTFPs in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (tables, charts, and graphs). The findings indicate that NTFPs are abundant in the study area and are found in all the forest land areas within the communities. NTFPs collection for utilization is usually carried out throughout the year. All the respondents in the five communities collect and use the NTFPs for preparation of food for the family and other purposes. The number of respondents involved in the collection of NTFPs was highest in Kokpeng community (21.3%), while only (18.5%) respondents were involved in the Garizew community. The chi-square test revealed that there were highly significant differences (P>0.05) between the number of respondents involved in the collection and non-collection of NTFPs in the district. The lowest income ranged between 1-25 (GHC) Ghana cedis week-1 whilst the highest income was 65+ Ghana cedis was generated by respondents in the district. 12.5% respondents in Zuolanyili had income ranging between 1-25 Ghana cedis week-1 and 10% of respondents' income ranged above 65+. 47.5% and 30% of respondents’ income ranged between 25-45 and 45-65 Ghana cedis respectively in the Zuolanyili community. Respondents in the Kokpeng community had the highest income of 30% above 65+ whilst Garizew had the lowest income 5% above 65+.