Biochar: A Carbon-Negative Solution for Indian Farming and Soil Restoration

Biochar is a carbon-rich solid made from crop residues, wood chips, and manure through pyrolysis. It locks carbon into a stable form that does not easily return to the atmosphere, making it a carbon-negative tool for soil restoration. In India, where open-field burning of crop residue is a major source of pollution, biochar offers a way to turn farm waste into a valuable soil amendment. The article explains that biochar is not a single product but a range of black carbon forms with unique chemical and physical properties. Its primary aim is long-term carbon sequestration by storing plant-fixed carbon in the ground. This approach addresses the agricultural paradox of burning biomass while also improving depleted soils. For carbon markets, biochar projects can generate verified carbon credits by proving that the carbon remains locked in the soil for decades or centuries. The scalability depends on pyrolysis technology costs, feedstock availability, and farmer adoption. India's large agricultural sector makes it a promising region for biochar deployment.