Scaling biochar as a soil amendment, a climate-smart solution in Northwest India
A preview of an upcoming IBI webinar featuring how TNC and partners pairs rice-residue biochar with water‑smart rice cropping systems and field MRV
Across India’s rice landscapes, growers and conservation teams are searching for solutions that reduce emissions, improve soil health, lowers irrigation demand, and maintains crop yields.
Biochar has emerged as a promising pathway. But to scale responsibly, projects must be designed around the realities of smallholder farming and backed by robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV). The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working with partners in Punjab to test biochar applications in the field, pair them with water‑smart practices, and build evidence that is both scientifically credible and operationally practical.
This article offers a first look at what we’re doing, why it matters, and what attendees can expect from our upcoming International Biochar Initiative (IBI) webinar. The session will focus on our experience at TNC to bring together voices from research, partnerships with NGOs, academic institutions, and producers and practitioners, and evaluate industry readiness.
Why Punjab and why now?
Punjab is a high‑priority landscape for agricultural climate solutions. Rice production is extensive, residues are abundant, and producers are actively experimenting with practices that reduce burning and improve soil fertility and health. Biochar presents an opportunity to stabilize carbon, improve soil physiochemical properties, reduce irrigation demand, and potentially support yield maintenance; provided we understand the conditions under which benefits are realized and risks are mitigated.
Pairing biochar with water-smart rice systems
Considering adaption of comprehensive solutions to minimize adverse climate impacts due to intensive rice-wheat systems, our trials pair biochar with water‑smart practices like direct‑seeded rice (DSR) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD). This combination allows us to explore potential synergies for methane and nitrous oxide reductions and soil health while observing yield outcomes and preserving groundwater resources.
Attend the 8 April, 2026 webinar: featuring voices from India
The session will bring perspectives from global technical collaborations, partner efforts in implementation and furthering the project, and regional demonstration plots. The on‑the‑ground perspectives will complement technical segments on MRV and measurements, ensuring the session speaks to both strategy and day‑to‑day implementation.
TNC is hosting a webinar on this topic with International Biochar Initiative featuring TNC biochar pilot project in Punjab, methods, and practical takeaways. Expect a multi‑voice format, an MRV essentials segment, and ample time for interactive Q&A.
If you’re working on biochar in smallholder systems, send us your questions. We’ll incorporate them into the session’s Q&A. If you’re building MRV workflows for biochar projects, join the conversation and help shape tools that are scientifically robust and fit for purpose.
About the team and partners
The effort is led by TNC’s Global Provide Food & Water and PRANA team with colleagues in India and global technical support, in collaboration with partners across the biochar ecosystem from NGOs, academic institutions, producers, and farmers. Technology development and standard guidelines have informed our approach, and we look forward to sharing practical decision aids for understanding the impact of biochar, scaling solutions for implementation as a natural solution, navigating certification, and MRV choices during the webinar.