Dimapur: A Nagaland University-led international study is exploring the use of ‘biochar’ as a practical and affordable solution to address water scarcity and soil degradation in the hilly regions of Nagaland. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating crop residues and organic biomass in low-oxygen conditions. The findings highlight how converting agricultural waste into biochar can help improve soil moisture, enhance crop productivity and support sustainable farming systems.
Study Details and Collaborators
The study, which involved researchers from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, Amity University in Uttar Pradesh, Parul University in Gujarat, and Nagaland University, focuses on biochar application in agricultural fields. It demonstrates that biochar can act like a sponge in the soil, improving water retention, reducing irrigation needs and enhancing soil fertility. It also helps reduce soil erosion, making it particularly suitable for hill farming systems.
Benefits of Biochar
The study highlights that unlike conventional water-saving methods that require costly infrastructure, biochar offers a nature-based, low-cost and circular economy solution. By converting farm waste into a valuable soil input, biochar not only improves water availability but also increases crop yields, reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers, and supports long-term carbon storage in soil. The findings have strong relevance for addressing broader challenges such as groundwater depletion, drought stress and declining soil quality across India.
Research Team
The research was undertaken by Prof. Prabhakar Sharma from the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Technology at Nagaland University, along with Dr Shakir Ali from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, Dr Anamika Shrivastava from Amity University in Uttar Pradesh, and Dr Krishna Kumar Yadav from Parul University in Gujarat.
