I have over 30 years of experience in international agriculture within the context of rural development projects in South East Asia and Africa. I work on helping small farmers improve soil fertility and nutrient management through biochar based technologies to increase crop productivity in West and East Africa. My research work examines how biochar and ash affect fertility and crop yield in humid West Africa. I examine how biochar and ash affect soil acidity over time and what mechanisms of biochar are responsible for soil pH changes over time.