Solar Power and Regenerative Agriculture in Burma

Since the Covid pandemic hit in 2021, our activities with Solar Roots have been considerably restricted. Travel to far away developing countries was impossible and everyone was focused on taking care of their nearest and dearest.

But now things are opening up again, although they definitely can't be described as "getting back to normal". Given the triple whammy of Covid, Ukraine and now Palestine, I think that we are living in a new era.

I am in the process of moving to Thailand and I plan to make a base there future Solar Roots activity. Some of the countries that I would choose to visit first are in crisis and travel to them is not recommended at the moment. I am referring to Burma (coup d'etat), Ethiopia (civil war) and Sri Lanka (economic collapse).

So, it was most timely that I attended the ECHO Asia Agricultural conference 2023. Filled with paticipants from more 20 countries and featuring workshops and site visits it was very much the stimulous I needed in reviewing my ambitions, resources and opportunities for Solar Roots work down the road.

I was happy to meet with so many attendees from Burma and hear how they are adapoting to life after the coup. Other high points included a field visit to MaeJo University, where I got to meet the Director of the vermiculture program and observe a large scale operation. Funnily enough, he has been tasked by the government with developing some high powered strains of cannabis, (quite against his will!). It's a strange new world indeed.

It was fun to meet up with some biochar experts and learn where they are taking the endeavor, especially as regards carbon credits. It clearly makes sense to bury carbon and increase the soil carbon ratio, but to to be paid for doing it as well - this is new.

Networking with so many people who are doing such good work is always inspiring, as well as quite humbling!

Best wishes,

Bruce