Biochar for Future Food Security:An overview

Global climate change is the primary important factor for agricultural production and one of the most urgent environmental problems. Agricultural soil is dynamic biological system that both stores and releases greenhouse gases. This makes soils an important source of greenhouse gases but also a potential sink if right management is applied. Climate change mitigation impacts arise largely from the stabilisation of soil organic matter, the reduction in fertilizer requirements and gaseous emissions in soils, and the production of renewable energy which can displace fossil fuel consumption. Biochar application may improve the soil health and reduce emissions from biomass that would otherwise naturally degrade to greenhouse gases. Converting biomass to biochar offers an excellent method for reducing waste and using these byproducts

Biochar is one of the viable organic amendments to combat climate change and sustain the soil health with sustainable crop production. Biochar may be added to soils with the intention to improve soil functions and to reduce emissions from biomass that would otherwise naturally degrade to greenhouse gases. Biochar also has appreciable carbon sequestration value. Biochar application may improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils, reduce fertilizer requirements and stimulate plant growth, though the results vary between biochars, soil types and plant species. The effectiveness of biochar for the improvement of soil properties is influenced by the biomass feedstock and the pyrolysis conditions Biochar also has appreciable carbon sequestration value.