Turning rice waste into resilient farming

Across Southeast Asia, farmers are grappling with declining yields, depleted soils, and rising climate pressures, from prolonged dry spells to increasingly erratic rainfall. The consequences are particularly stark for smallholders, who often lack the resources and resilience to adapt. In response, the DFCD has approved Origination Facility support to HUSK, a regenerative agriculture company that transforms rice husk waste into organic, tailor-made, crop-specific biochar-based fertilisers that rebuild soil health and store carbon.

This support will help HUSK's capacity to scale its operations in both Cambodia and Vietnam, enabling more farmers to access affordable, climate-resilient alternatives to transition away from synthetic fertilisers. The initiative directly aligns with SNV’s systems approach to agri-food transformation – enhancing soil function, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods – and reflects DFCD’s commitment to unlocking finance for inclusive, climate-resilient solutions.

About HUSK and their solution to building soil and sinking carbon

HUSK started operations in Cambodia in 2019, working with rice mills to collect agricultural waste and transform it into biochar: a carbon-rich, stable substance that improves soil structure and chemistry, boosts water retention, and locks carbon into the ground for centuries. HUSK then combines this biochar with nutrients tailored to local crops and conditions, producing biochar-based fertilisers that regenerate soil and build climate resilience. Their products address widespread issues such as poor water retention, soil compaction, low pH, and nutrient loss - common challenges across the Mekong Delta and Southeast Asia.

HUSK has a long-term partnership with Amru Rice, one of Cambodia’s leading rice exporters, which supplies the company with rice husk feedstock and land next to their mill. Amru itself has also been de-risked through the DFCD Origination Facility, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient agri-food systems in the region.

With a track record of university-led field trials, long-term mill partnerships, and growing interest from agri-businesses and farmer groups, HUSK is now preparing to scale up its model in Vietnam. The company plans to build a new pyrolysis facility, expand partnerships with local cooperatives and distributors, and adapt its ESG and gender inclusion systems to the Vietnamese context.

About SNV's support

This project also builds on SNV’s prior engagement with HUSK through the Innovations Against Poverty (IAP) programme in Cambodia, which supported the company to develop and test early applications of its biochar fertilisers. This initial support helped validate the potential of HUSK’s model to improve soil health, reduce emissions, and boost farmer incomes in Cambodia.

Now, under the DFCD Origination Facility, SNV is supporting HUSK to scale its business model to Vietnam—de-risking investment in a new production facility, supporting local trials, and helping the company expand its regenerative approach into new agro-ecological zones.

Through the DFCD Origination Facility, HUSK will receive tailored grant support to de-risk its next stage of growth. This includes field trials with leading universities in Cambodia and Vietnam, market adoption pilots with farming communities, and the establishment of sustainable feedstock partnerships. The grant will also help HUSK strengthen its environmental and social safeguards and prepare for future investment in biochar expansion.

“This collaboration will help us demonstrate the benefits of biochar-based fertilisers in new territories and build trust among farmers to transition towards more regenerative practices and unlock the scale we need to make sustainable agriculture the norm, not the exception,” said Heloise Buckland, Co-founder and Chairwoman of HUSK.

Long-term impact and climate potential

HUSK’s biochar-based fertilisers offer multiple benefits: improved yields, reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers, and stronger soil resilience in the face of climate stress. As soils improve, water retention increases and input costs fall, translating into more secure livelihoods for farming households.

By 2030, pending full investment for its expansion plan, HUSK expects to support 125,000 hectares of farmland, benefiting over 390,000 people. The project is expected to sequester over 8,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually and directly contribute to Cambodia and Vietnam’s climate adaptation goals. The initiative is classified as Rio Marker 2 for climate adaptation and aligns with national priorities on sustainable agriculture.

Expected future impact

Why it matters for the region

This partnership showcases the kind of private sector innovation increasingly emerging in climate-vulnerable economies. By bridging the gap between agricultural waste and soil regeneration, Husk offers a scalable, circular solution that supports both people and planet.

“HUSK is tackling a critical but often overlooked part of the climate resilience puzzle: soil health,” said Alex Downs, SNV’s Regional Business Investment Officer. “Our support is helping them bring a farmer-focused, low-carbon solution to scale, while also opening up pathways for future investment across the region.”

About HUSK

HUSK is a pioneering leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing biochar-based fertilizers from agricultural waste to help catalyse the transition to regenerative agriculture. Active in Cambodia and Vietnam, HUSK’s products restore degraded soils, reduce emissions, and help farmers improve yields and climate resilience. Learn more: https://www.huskventures.com

About the DFCD

The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) is a climate resilience fund, dedicated to supporting climate adaptation and mitigation projects which benefit vulnerable communities and landscapes. It is funded by the Dutch government and managed by a pioneering consortium of Climate Fund Managers (CFM), Worldwide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) and SNV, led by the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank, FMO. For more information, please visit the DFCD website.

About SNV

SNV is a global development partner deeply rooted in the African and Asian countries where we operate. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform agri-food, energy and water systems. Working on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance, we tailor our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

You can read the full disclosure document here.

For more information and if you want to share any confidential information you may have regarding the intended project or company, please contact:

SNV - Dutch Fund for Climate and Development: dfcd@snv.org