Under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration, one day on-field skill development program on “Basics and Applied Skills for Biochar Production” was organised today by Environment & Sustainability department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar.
Inaugurating the program Dr. Bhgyadhar Bhoi, Acting Director, CSIR-IMMT highlighted the importance of the on-field skill development initiative. Dr. A K Sahoo, Chief Scientist, Dr. D S Rao, Head, HRD, Dr. S Pradhan and Dr. N K Dhal, Head, E & S Department addressed the participants.
Dr. Manish Kumar, Principal Scientist, E & S Department demonstrated trench and rotatable kiln method of biochar production to the farmers.
Elaborating about this programme Dr. Manish Kumar said, “Boichar is inspired by ancient cultivation practice. It is mainly suitable for degraded, acidic and sandy soil. Its application can improve pH, water holding capacity, organic carbon, nutrients availability, crop growth and productivity in the soil. Furthermore, biochar production and soil application prevent and reduces environmental pollution”.
The training program elaborated about agro-residues, processing of biomass residues, size and design of kiln, pyrolysis process, biochar products & their use in agriculture/soil.
Utkalika Samiti, an NGO from Jajpur associated for the skill development program. About 25 progressive farmers from Jajpur district of Odisha were the trainees of the skill development program.