Lumami: A Nagaland University-led international study has proposed 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.
Nagaland’s mountainous terrain presents significant agricultural challenges. Farmers often cultivate on slopes where rainwater quickly runs off, leading to the loss of nutrient-rich topsoil.
At the same time, dry periods result in water shortages. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall and increasing soil degradation further affect farm productivity, creating an urgent need for climate-resilient solutions.
The study, involving researchers from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, and Parul University, Gujarat, besides Nagaland University, focused on the application of biochar in agricultural fields.
The study demonstrated 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.
The study highlighted that unlike conventional water-saving methods requiring 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.
The research suggests that the adoption of biochar can help farmers improve crop survival during dry spells, enhance productivity and income, and promote sustainable use of agricultural residues instead of open burning.
Highlighting the need for such studies, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, said, “This research reflects Nagaland University’s commitment to developing practical, locally relevant solutions for the unique challenges of hill agriculture and surrounding environments. Converting farm waste into biochar not only helps conserve water and improve soil health, but also empowers farmers with a sustainable and low-cost technology for climate-resilient livelihoods in Northeast India.”
The research was undertaken by Prof. Prabhakar Sharma from the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Nagaland University, along with Dr. Shakir Ali of the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Anamika Shrivastava of Amity University, and Dr. Krishna Kumar Yadav of Parul University.
The findings were published in Discover Soil, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal focused on soil science published by Springer Nature.
Highlighting the importance of the research, Prof. Prabhakar Sharma said, “The study aims to identify suitable locally available biomass for biochar production and evaluate its performance in steep and terraced farming systems. It further examines optimal application rates, long-term impacts on crop yield and soil health, and economic benefits for small and marginal farmers.”
Explaining what makes the study unique, Prof. Sharma added, “Most existing studies utilise biochar in general agricultural settings. However, our work connects water conservation, soil restoration and climate resilience specifically for hill farming systems, where rapid runoff, moisture loss and soil degradation are major challenges. The study also emphasises the use of locally available biomass resources for an affordable, scalable and relevant approach for farmers in Northeast India.”
The team plans to take the research forward through pilot demonstrations in university farms, village clusters, terrace fields and horticultural plantations.
Future efforts will also include farmer training programmes and collaboration with government agencies to support wider adoption of biochar-based practices.
The study underlines the potential of biochar as a solution that not only improves agricultural productivity but also contributes to environmental conservation.
By restoring degraded soils, reducing biomass burning and enhancing carbon storage, biochar can play a key role in strengthening climate resilience in ecologically sensitive hill regions.
Also Read: Assam tops Northeast trafficking cases despite low regional numbers: NCRB