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22 June 2026

Biochar for sustainable agriculture in India

Biochar is a significant technological intervention for sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation that directly addresses soil health and crop productivity, making it a highly relevant topic for GS3 agriculture and environment questions.

1 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating agricultural waste in low-oxygen conditions (pyrolysis).
  • It acts as a carbon-negative solution, sequestering carbon in soil for long periods due to slow decomposition.
  • Benefits include improved soil organic carbon, enhanced water-holding capacity (10-25% increase), and stimulation of beneficial soil microbes.
  • Field trials show crop productivity gains of 10-30% in nutrient-poor soils.
  • Agricultural residues (e.g., paddy straw, maize stalks, sugarcane bagasse) and urban organic waste (sewage sludge, municipal waste) serve as potential feedstocks.
  • Biochar can be integrated into carbon credit markets; protocols like VM0042 allow 1 tonne of biochar to generate 2-2.8 tonnes of CO2-equivalent credits.
  • Successful implementation requires decentralised pyrolysis technology and robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems.
  • International models: Kenya (rice husks for carbon credits), Thailand (national soil rehabilitation initiatives), and Brazil (sugarcane bagasse use).
  • Challenges include lack of awareness among farmers, disposal-centric view of farm residues, and limited scaling beyond pilot projects.

Questions

  1. Discuss the potential of biochar as a sustainable solution to address the dual challenges of crop residue burning and soil degradation in India. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. How can the integration of biochar production into the circular economy and carbon credit markets enhance climate resilience and income for smallholder farmers in India? 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. What is the primary process used to produce biochar from agricultural waste?

  2. According to the VM0042 methodology, what is the approximate carbon dioxide-equivalent credit generated per tonne of certified biochar?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-06-22/biochar-for-sustainable-agriculture-in-india