First National Biochar Seminar in India, a great success

The first National Seminar in India, titled Biochar­­­—Status and Opportunities, was successfully conducted on 17–18 August, 2023 in Hyderabad at the campus of the National Institute for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (Ni-MSME).

Including scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers, NGOs, and policy makers, 70 delegates participated in the seminar.

The seminar had eight sessions and each session had three to four speakers, who made their presentation and answered the query of participants. Special interest was shown by participants in the session to discuss methodology to earn carbon credits by the organisations & farmers working in the biochar sector. A live demonstration of making biochar, using the equipment Ring of Fire, was organised by Mr Sameer Kanabargi, the Indian associate of m/s Wilson Biochar, LLC USA.

Biochar­­­—Status and Opportunities was inaugurated by Dr. S Glory Swarupa, Director General, Ni-MSME, and a valedictory address was delivered by Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, MANAGE, Hyderabad.  

Both the dignitaries mentioned that the biochar sector needs to grow rapidly in India, by establishing biochar manufacturing units and units to manufacture biochar-based fertilizers, mostly in the small and medium sector, which is being promoted by all government agencies.  

They also recommended active collaboration with overseas organisations engaged in the promotion of the biochar sector and promised all the help from their respective organisations.

The seminar was planned by Biochar Crusaders and executed with the financial and technical support of India Biochar and Bioresources Network (IBBN) & German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). Logistic support was provided by Ni-MSME, which also provided accommodations for the visiting delegates.

The three member team who actively worked in planning and organising the seminar are: