Ingrid van Ginkel
HUSK Ventures
In Cambodia, where agriculture employs nearly a third of the labor force and contributes over a fifth of the national economy, the health of the soil is inseparable from the wellbeing of its people. Yet, this vital foundation is under threat. Land degradation driven by climate change and unsustainable practices is eroding livelihoods, reducing yields, and deepening rural vulnerability.
How HUSK is restoring soils and reviving livelihoods in Cambodia
HUSK offers a solution rooted in nature and innovation. As the world’s leading producer of biochar-based fertilisers, HUSK transforms rice husk, an abundant byproduct of rice farming, into regenerative agricultural products that enrich the soil, improve crop yields, and lower input costs. These solutions not only help farmers grow more and spend less, but also sequester carbon in the ground for over 100 years.
At the heart of HUSK’s work is a smokeless pyrolysis process that captures carbon and returns it to the earth, sequestering carbon while building soil resilience. The company’s biochar, soil enhancers, fertilisers, and biopesticides have been trialed on more than 250 farms across Cambodia and Vietnam, with an average crop yield increase of 30%.
From agricultural waste to regenerative value
HUSK is home to the world’s first biochar facility integrated into a rice mill, built to meet the European Biochar Certification (EBC C-Sink) standards. This pioneering model diverts rice husk from being burned, turning it instead into high-performance, locally made inputs for smallholder farmers. Circular by design, HUSK’s system is replicable in rice-producing regions across the globe.
Today, the company employs 60 team members, with 93% based in Cambodia and Vietnam, and draws on deep expertise in agronomy, engineering, biology, and regenerative agriculture. Together, they are building a scalable model for climate-smart farming, one that restores degraded soils, reduces emissions, and supports the long-term prosperity of farming communities.
HUSK transforms rice husk waste into biochar, bio-stimulants and fertilisers to improve soil health, boost yields, lower costs, and enhance food security while removing carbon.
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