Context: Biochar Benefits for Agriculture
Biochar is emerging as a sustainable solution to India’s crop-residue burning problem by converting agricultural waste into a carbon-rich soil amendment.
It offers a triple benefit:
- Improving soil health
- Enhancing farm productivity
- Supporting climate-change mitigation
Biochar
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis.
Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis means heating biomass in low-oxygen conditions.
Biomass Used
- Crop residues
- Organic waste
- Bagasse
- Coconut waste
- Other biodegradable waste
Why Biochar Is Different From Open Burning
Unlike open burning, carbon remains locked in a stable form for decades.
This makes biochar a long-term carbon sink.
Key Property
Biochar is highly porous.
This enables:
- Water retention
- Nutrient storage
- Microbial growth
Significance / Applications
1. Soil Health
Biochar improves:
- Soil organic carbon
- Nutrient retention
- Microbial activity
- Water-holding capacity by 10–25%
2. Agricultural Productivity
Biochar can:
- Increase crop yields by 10–30%
- Improve drought resilience
- Improve moisture availability
- Improve soil fertility and organic carbon, especially in black-soil regions
3. Climate Action
Biochar:
- Reduces emissions from stubble burning
- Is recognised as a Carbon Dioxide Removal technology
- Can generate carbon credits
Carbon Credit Value
1 tonne of certified biochar can generate 2–2.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent carbon credits.
4. Farmer Income
Biochar converts crop residue into a value-added product.
It can create additional revenue opportunities through carbon-credit markets.
5. Circular Economy
Biochar helps utilise:
- Crop residue
- Sewage sludge
- Biodegradable urban waste
Municipal Solid Waste Link
India generates about 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with over 50% biodegradable.
PYQ Link
Biochar can be used in farming because it:
- Can be part of growing medium in vertical farming.
- Promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.
- Helps the growing medium retain water for longer.
