1.2 Coordonnées des personnes-ressources et des institutions impliquées dans l'évaluation et la documentation de la Technologie

Nom du projet qui a facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ) - Allemagne

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) - Kenya

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Ecociate Consultants (Ecociate Consultants) - Inde

1.3 Conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées

Le compilateur et la(les) personne(s) ressource(s) acceptent les conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées:

Oui

1.4 Déclaration sur la durabilité de la Technologie décrite

Est-ce que la Technologie décrite ici pose problème par rapport à la dégradation des terres, de telle sorte qu'elle ne peut pas être déclarée comme étant une technologie de gestion durable des terres?

Non

Commentaires:

The application of biochar to the soil is a technology that can prevent or reduce land degradation by improving soil health through the addition of organic matter, increase soil fertility and the water retention capacity of soils.

1.5 Référence au(x) Questionnaires sur les Approches de GDT (documentées au moyen de WOCAT)

2.1 Courte description de la Technologie

Définition de la Technologie:

Biochar is a carbon-rich, solid material derived from a wide range of biomass or organic waste through a thermochemical method. It is an organic charcoal material that is the final product of pyrolysis, or high-temperature burning of agricultural biomass without oxygen. Surplus crop residues, agricultural waste, and wood from sustainable sources are used as feedstock (raw material). Such biochar production is linked with agroforestry plantation and agriculture to improve soil health and ensuring sustainable feedstock availability.

2.2 Description détaillée de la Technologie

Description:

Introduction and Background
Intensive cropping systems coupled with monocropping and high usage of synthetic fertilizers have led to the degradation of soils and depletion of nutrients directly affecting agricultural productivity and farmers' income. Farmers in the Balangir district of Odisha are facing similar challenges. To address these issues and promote sustainable farming practices, a biochar production initiative was introduced by utilizing crop residues and waste material from forests to produce biochar, a carbon-rich material that enhances soil fertility and soil structure. The initiative is a part of the Pro-Soil Project of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), India and implemented by the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF). The technology (a kiln for biochar production) and technical inputs for biochar production were sourced from the Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal.
Biochar is a type of charcoal produced from biomass like agricultural or forest waste or organic materials through a process called pyrolysis. The application of sustainable biochar technology in agroforestry systems can lead to better soil structure, increased water retention, reduced nutrient leaching, and improved crop yields. Moreover, it aids in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by locking carbon into soil for an extended period.
In the project region farmers used crop residues such as rice straw, wheat straw and residue of other crops along with non-usable biomass from local forests, such as branches, twigs, and leaves, to supplement the feedstock for the pyrolysis. Since the District has large forest areas, the availability of forest waste is no problem. The biochar produced was applied into existing crops fields as well as into agroforestry system. Aiming to promote agroforestry, the project promoted the integration of trees (both fruits and timber) and shrubs into existing agricultural practices. Agroforestry offers multiple benefits such as improved soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. When sustainable biochar production is integrated into these systems, it can create a sustainable cycle where agricultural waste is converted into biochar, which then enhances soil fertility and sequesters carbon when added back into the soil.
The project has actively involved women farmers, entrepreneurial youth, and farmers' groups in the collection, production and application process of biochar thus promoting community participation and creating awareness about the benefits of biochar.

Implementation
The biochar kiln technology, obtained from the Indian Institute of Soil Science, in Bhopal, is employed to convert biomass into biochar through pyrolysis. This technology ensures efficient and controlled production of high-quality biochar. The collected biomass undergoes a controlled pyrolysis process inside the biochar kiln, where it is burned in the relative absence of oxygen. Technical specialization during production includes kiln temperature control, feedstock preparation, and the management of pyrolysis gases to ensure efficient biochar production. This results in the conversion of biomass into biochar, also leaving behind bioenergy-rich gases. Quality control measures are implemented to ensure the production of biochar with optimal characteristics, including high carbon content, porosity, and stability.
The Biochar kiln used was designed with the aim to optimize temperature control and ensure efficient conversion of biomass. An efficient loading mechanism allows easy and controlled feeding of biomass into the kiln. This ensures a consistent flow of material during the pyrolysis process. Although local kilns are usually not equipped with temperature control mechanisms to regulate the pyrolysis temperature, the temperature in the kilns may alternatively be regulated through the rate of feeding biomass into the kilns. Such kilns usually have some safety features and proper ventilation so to prevent accidents.

To implement this technology the ICRAF conducted training sessions for farmers on the proper preparation and application of biochar. The trainings were focused on the following aspects:
-The collection and drying process for agriculture and forest waste
-The management of operations for the biochar kiln including the loading of raw material (feedstock) into the kiln, its burning, operation-timing, period check, volumes of raw material to be fed etc.
-Precautions to be taken during the process
-The quality check of prepared biochar charcoal and the process for pulverizing it
-Dosage recommendations for different crops as per local conditions
-The mixing of biochar with cow dung and cow urine before application
-Integration with existing farming practices and the long-term benefits of biochar on soil health

Impact and Knowledge Transfer
The biochar acts as a soil conditioner, enhancing water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity. The benefits and impacts on improved fertility, increased water retention, and reduced nutrient leaching, lead to higher crop yields and resilience against climate variability, carbon sequestration aids in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change, and utilizing agricultural residues reduces air pollution from open burning and provides a sustainable solution for organic waste disposal. Land users appreciated the enhanced soil productivity and environmental benefits brought by biochar. Overall, the Sustainable Biochar Production Technology represents a promising approach in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.

The project team, in collaboration with local agricultural extension services and the Indian Institute of Soil Science, monitored the impact of biochar application on soil health parameters. This involved regular soil testing, crop yield assessments and feedback from participating farmers. In fact, they also measured the impact of biochar made from different feedstock (raw materials). Success stories were shared with neighboring communities, public stakeholders and researchers and encouraged the further adoption of sustainable soil management practices.

The biochar production initiative in the Balangir District of Odisha in India demonstrates a sustainable approach to addressing soil health issues using locally available resources. Through the collaboration between ICRAF and GIZ, this project not only improves soil fertility but also empowers local communities by providing them with sustainable solutions for agricultural challenges. The success of this intervention serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at promoting environmentally friendly and community-driven approaches to agriculture.

2.3 Photos de la Technologie

2.4 Vidéos de la Technologie

2.5 Pays/ région/ lieux où la Technologie a été appliquée et qui sont couverts par cette évaluation

2.6 Date de mise en œuvre de la Technologie

Indiquez l'année de mise en œuvre:

2021

2.7 Introduction de la Technologie

Spécifiez comment la Technologie a été introduite: :

• au cours d'expérimentations / de recherches
• par le biais de projets/ d'interventions extérieures

Commentaires (type de projet, etc.) :

Piloting best practices to produce biochar using diverse feedstock and its application

3.1 Principal(aux) objectif(s) de la Technologie

• améliorer la production
• réduire, prévenir, restaurer les terres dégradées
• préserver l'écosystème
• conserver/ améliorer la biodiversité
• s'adapter au changement et aux extrêmes climatiques et à leurs impacts
• créer un impact économique positif

3.2 Type(s) actuel(s) d'utilisation des terres, là où la Technologie est appliquée

Les divers types d'utilisation des terres au sein du même unité de terrain: :

Non

3.3 Est-ce que l’utilisation des terres a changé en raison de la mise en œuvre de la Technologie ?

Est-ce que l’utilisation des terres a changé en raison de la mise en œuvre de la Technologie ?

• Non (Passez à la question 3.4)

3.4 Approvisionnement en eau

Approvisionnement en eau des terres sur lesquelles est appliquée la Technologie:

• mixte: pluvial-irrigué

Commentaires:

Most farmers are cultivating in rainfed conditions while some also have irrigation facilities

3.5 Groupe de GDT auquel appartient la Technologie

• Amélioration de la couverture végétale/ du sol
• récupération/ collecte de l'eau
• gestion des déchets/ gestion des eaux usées

3.6 Mesures de GDT constituant la Technologie

3.7 Principaux types de dégradation des terres traités par la Technologie

3.8 Prévention, réduction de la dégradation ou réhabilitation des terres dégradées

Spécifiez l'objectif de la Technologie au regard de la dégradation des terres:

• réduire la dégradation des terres
• restaurer/ réhabiliter des terres sévèrement dégradées

4.1 Dessin technique de la Technologie

4.2 Informations générales sur le calcul des intrants et des coûts

Spécifiez la manière dont les coûts et les intrants ont été calculés:

• par entité de la Technologie

autre/ monnaie nationale (précisez):

INR

Indiquez le taux de change des USD en devise locale, le cas échéant (p.ex. 1 USD = 79.9 réal brésilien): 1 USD = :

80,0

4.3 Activités de mise en place/ d'établissement

	Activité	Calendrier des activités (saisonnier)
1.	Purchase of biochar kiln unit	Can be done any time during the year but need to be ready before the month of September
2.	Purchase of pulveriser	Need to be purchased once and before the start of biochar production

Commentaires:

Both biochar kiln and pulveriser are fixed investments and can last up to 5 years

4.4 Coûts et intrants nécessaires à la mise en place

	Spécifiez les intrants	Unité	Quantité	Coûts par unité	Coût total par intrant	% des coût supporté par les exploitants des terres
Equipements	Biochar Klin	Rs.	1,0	7000,0	7000,0
Equipements	Pulvariser unit	Rs.	1,0	20000,0	20000,0
Coût total de mise en place de la Technologie					27000,0
Coût total de mise en place de la Technologie en dollars américains (USD)					337,5

Si le coût n'est pas pris en charge à 100% par l'exploitant des terres, indiquez qui a financé le coût restant:

The project paid towards the fixed investment costs of biochar kiln and pulverizier unit

4.5 Activités d'entretien/ récurrentes

	Activité	Calendrier/ fréquence
1.	Collecting the crop residues and forest waste	Needs to be collected and dried before the start of biochar production unit (September and June)
2.	Preparation of Biochar	Before the sowing of Rabi (winter) and Kharif (summer) seasons (Months of September/October and June/July)
3.	Application of biochar in the field	During the cropping season

Commentaires:

These activities may vary based on the cropping pattern and farmers' need of biochar application

4.6 Coûts et intrants nécessaires aux activités d'entretien/ récurrentes (par an)

	Spécifiez les intrants	Unité	Quantité	Coûts par unité	Coût total par intrant	% des coût supporté par les exploitants des terres
Main d'œuvre	Preparation of biochar	Person-day	2,0	200,0	400,0	100,0
Main d'œuvre	Application of biochar in the field	Person-day	1,0	200,0	200,0	100,0
Engrais et biocides	Farmyard manure	Rs.	20,0	5,0	100,0	100,0
Engrais et biocides	Fertilizer	Rs.	50,0	7,0	350,0	100,0
Coût total d'entretien de la Technologie					1050,0
Coût total d'entretien de la Technologie en dollars américains (USD)					13,13

Commentaires:

The application of biochar was practiced by land users twice in a year, before sowing kharif and rabi crops. The amount of maintenance activities of the technology is count double for a year as farmers are practicing the biochar technology for two seasons in a year.

4.7 Facteurs les plus importants affectant les coûts

Décrivez les facteurs les plus importants affectant les coûts :

The investment towards the purchase of the kiln- and the pulveriser unit. In the documented project, the investment costs were borne by the project. Therefore, smallholder farmers may find it difficult to purchase the hardware units of kiln and pulveriser, given such investment costs.

5.1 Climat

5.2 Topographie

Indiquez si la Technologie est spécifiquement appliquée dans des:

• non pertinent

Commentaires et précisions supplémentaires sur la topographie:

Balangir District is divided into four Agro-Ecological situations (AES) and characterized by a hot dry summer and highly erratic rainfall distribution of south-west monsoon rains, i.e., (i) plain land irrigated, (ii) plain land rainfed (iii) undulating plain drought-prone and (iv) undulating sub-mountainous tract rainfed.
The altitude of the Bolangir district is 207 masl.

5.3 Sols

Si disponible, joignez une description complète du sol ou précisez les informations disponibles, par ex., type de sol, pH/ acidité du sol, capacité d'échange cationique, azote, salinité, etc.

Mixed red and yellow soils occur as catenary associations in undulating and rolling terrains which differ in depth, texture, and color. Red and yellow soils are moderately shallow in depth and coarse-textured. Upland soils are shallower and lighter in texture than low-land soils.
Red and black soils are light to medium textured having neutral pH. These soils occur in mixed forms of both red & black soil together in which black soils occur in patches within the predominant red soils.
Black soils are mostly found in Puintala Block and in some parts of Loisingha Block. The soils are heavier in texture having clay content more than 30%. Clay minerals are predominant with smectites due to which deep cracks are seen to develop during summer.
Laterite soils are generally distributed in a few limited patches in the Balangir District. These soils are loamy sand to sandy loam in the surface having a hard clay pan in the subsoil. Crusting is a problem in upland literite.
Brown forest soils are mostly found in Khaprakhol, Tureikela, Bangomunda, Titilagarh, Saintala, and Gudvella Block. These soils are brown to grey-brown in color, light textured, and acidic in reaction.

5.4 Disponibilité et qualité de l'eau

La salinité de l'eau est-elle un problème? :

Oui

Précisez:

Balangir District falls within the Western Plateau and Hills Zone of Odisha, characterized by a semi-arid climate. The agro-climatic conditions include hot summers, limited rainfall, and erratic monsoons, which pose challenges for agriculture due to water scarcity. In many regions of Odisha, including Balangir, water salinity is a significant concern, especially in areas relying on groundwater sources.

La zone est-elle inondée?

Non

Commentaires et précisions supplémentaires sur la qualité et la quantité d'eau:

The groundwater level at 3 meters below ground level in 2019 indicates water table that lies within 3-5 meters below ground level (m bgl) or less is considered shallow. This level often indicates good accessibility to groundwater, making it relatively easier for extraction using shallow wells or hand pumps.

5.5 Biodiversité

Commentaires et précisions supplémentaires sur la biodiversité:

The Odisha Government has declared the Gandhamardan Hill Range in Bargarh and Balangir Districts a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).

5.6 Caractéristiques des exploitants des terres appliquant la Technologie

Indiquez toute autre caractéristique pertinente des exploitants des terres:

There are a number of women self help groups and farmer producer organisations being formed in the district as part of Government programs

5.7 Superficie moyenne des terres utilisées par les exploitants des terres appliquant la Technologie

5.8 Propriété foncière, droits d’utilisation des terres et de l'eau

Propriété foncière:

• individu, avec titre de propriété

Droits d’utilisation des terres:

• individuel

Droits d’utilisation de l’eau:

• communautaire (organisé)
• individuel

Est-ce que les droits d'utilisation des terres sont fondés sur un système juridique traditionnel?

Non

Commentaires:

The majority of the farmers in the district are smallholder farmers with agriculture being mostly rained, except some areas with irrigation facilities from the nearby dam

5.9 Accès aux services et aux infrastructures

Commentaires:

The district is located in the interior parts of eastern India and considered as a backward district with poor access to infrastructure and other facilities

6.1 Impacts sur site que la Technologie a montrés

Impacts socio-économiques

Production

Revenus et coûts

Impacts socioculturels

Impacts écologiques

Cycle de l'eau/ ruissellement

Sols

Biodiversité: végétale, animale

Réduction des risques de catastrophe et des risques climatiques

Précisez l'évaluation des impacts sur site (sous forme de mesures):

In the context of regions like Balangir, where salinity and soil loss are concerns, biochar's ability to improve soil structure and fertility without altering pH drastically could be beneficial. It helps mitigate soil erosion by enhancing soil health and resilience, thus contributing to sustainable agriculture practices in these challenging environments.

6.3 Exposition et sensibilité de la Technologie aux changements progressifs et aux évènements extrêmes/catastrophes liés au climat (telles que perçues par les exploitants des terres)

Changements climatiques progressifs

Changements climatiques progressifs

	Saison	Augmentation ou diminution	Comment la Technologie fait-elle face à cela?
températures annuelles		augmente	modérément
températures saisonnières	été	augmente	modérément
précipitations annuelles		décroît	bien
précipitations saisonnières	saison des pluies/ humide	décroît	modérément

Extrêmes climatiques (catastrophes)

Catastrophes climatiques

	Comment la Technologie fait-elle face à cela?
sécheresse	modérément

Commentaires:

Overall biochar improves the soil health and helps soil to maintain the moisture thus it is better suited to some of the climatic conditions such as low rainfall, delayed rains etc. However in case of extreme climatic conditions, technology alone may not mitigate the impact.

6.4 Analyse coûts-bénéfices

Quels sont les bénéfices comparativement aux coûts de mise en place (du point de vue des exploitants des terres)?

Quels sont les bénéfices comparativement aux coûts d'entretien récurrents (du point de vue des exploitants des terres)?

Commentaires:

The benefits of technology to soil health, crop productivity and crop quality is much higher than the cost of establishment and maintenance

6.5 Adoption de la Technologie

• cas isolés/ expérimentaux

Si disponible, quantifiez (nombre de ménages et/ou superficie couverte):

100

De tous ceux qui ont adopté la Technologie, combien d'entre eux l'ont fait spontanément, à savoir sans recevoir aucune incitation matérielle, ou aucune rémunération? :

• 0-10%

Commentaires:

It was mostly done as part of the PRO-SOIL PROJECT

6.6 Adaptation

La Technologie a-t-elle été récemment modifiée pour s'adapter à l'évolution des conditions?

Oui

Si oui, indiquez à quel changement la Technologie s'est adaptée:

• la disponibilité de la main-d'œuvre (par ex., en raison de migrations)

Spécifiez l'adaptation de la Technologie (conception, matériaux/ espèces, etc.):

Refinements in pyrolysis methods and technologies to produce biochar with specific characteristics suited to diverse soil types and climate conditions. This includes adjusting temperature, duration, and feedstock to optimize biochar properties like porosity and water retention capacity. Innovations in application techniques to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of biochar incorporation into agricultural systems. This involves exploring precision application methods, such as localized placement or mixing with organic amendments, to ensure better distribution and utilization of biochar in the root zone. Emphasis on integrating biochar technology into climate-smart agricultural practices, focusing on sustainable intensification while adapting to changing climatic conditions. This involves promoting practices that enhance resilience to drought, water conservation and soil fertility improvement.

6.7 Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités de la Technologie

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue de l'exploitant des terres
The soil moisture, soil texture, water retention and water-holding capacity of the soil increases. The uptake of nutrients increases which leads to less application of fertilizers in the field
There was an increase in crop yield, straw yield, vegetative mass growth, more grains or fruits per plant, and fewer pests & disease attacks on the plants were noticed
The better use of crop residue from the field increase the soil fertility and promoted better crop growth

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé
The use of biochar helps to combat the climate crisis by sequestering atmospheric carbon into soil as well as processing agricultural and other waste into useful clean energy
The application of biochar significantly changes the soil’s properties (texture, porosity, bulk density, particle density, surface area, pore size distribution, cation exchange capacity, pH, and water-holding capacity) which, directly influence plant growth
High porosity and a large surface area of biochar provide space for micro-organisms that are beneficial for the soil and help in binding important anions and cations, improving soil health and enhancing crop productivity
Reduced nitrous oxide and methane emissions when biochar is applied to the soil

6.8 Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques de la Technologie et moyens de les surmonter

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue de l’exploitant des terres	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
Need large quantities of wood and crop residue for biochar production on a larger scale	A better planning for crop residue management and access to communities to collect forest waste from forest can easily address this problem Exploring alternative biomass sources like agricultural residues, crop waste, or dedicated energy crops can reduce reliance on wood or coconut shells, promoting sustainable sourcing. Also, advancements in pyrolysis technologies to optimize biochar production from smaller quantities of biomass, improving efficiency and reducing the overall demand.
Do not have knowledge about how this biochar can be sold in the market for additional income	Creating more awareness among the farmers about biochar will create a market demand for it. Conducting market assessments and creating awareness among potential buyers about the benefits of biochar for soil improvement, carbon sequestration, and agricultural productivity. Exploring the development of value-added products or applications derived from biochar, such as soil amendments, filtration systems, or compost blends, to diversify market opportunities.

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
The availability of suitable wood and coconut for biochar production can be limited, and there may be competition between biochar production and other uses of biomass, such as food and fuel production	The innovation in technology where biochar can be produced with lesser amount of feedstock will be a great solution
If not managed sustainably, the production of biomass feedstock for biochar can lead to deforestation or the conversion of natural ecosystems into monoculture plantations, which can have negative ecological consequences	The promotion of agro-forestry is important to ensure the availability of feed stock while also ensuring the increased coverage of forest. The training of land users and other stakeholders around sustainable biochar production.

7.1 Méthodes/ sources d'information

7.2 Références des publications disponibles

Titre, auteur, année, ISBN:

IBI publication at International Biochar Initiative

Disponible à partir d'où? Coût?

https://biochar-international.org/resources/ibi-publications/

7.3 Liens vers les informations pertinentes en ligne

Titre/ description:

About Balangir District

URL:

https://balangir.nic.in/about-district/

Titre/ description:

Water Resources of Balangir District (Minor Irrigation Division, Balangir)

URL:

https://balangir.nic.in/water-resources/

Titre/ description:

Senior Geologist, Ground Water Survey & Investigation Division, Balangir

URL:

https://www.rtiodisha.gov.in/Pages/printAllManual/office_id:2710/lang:

7.4 Observations d'ordre général

This documentation not only follows the land user interview findings but also follows the results mentioned in the internal report after the experimentation