Shillong, May 11 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated a biochar plant at Umsli in Bhoirymbong, saying that improving farmers’ income remains one of the state government’s foremost priorities and that value addition to agricultural produce is essential for strengthening the rural economy.

The biochar plant, set up at the Eastern Ri Bhoi Organic FPC Processing Plant in Ri Bhoi district, is being projected as a community-focused carbon removal initiative aimed at boosting sustainable agriculture, improving soil health and generating additional income opportunities for farmers and bamboo growers.

Addressing the gathering, Sangma said the government has undertaken several interventions at different levels to enhance agricultural productivity and support farmers across Meghalaya.

“One of the most important agendas of the government is to ensure improvement in the income of farmers,” the Chief Minister said, adding that multiple schemes, projects and missions have been launched to support farmers through better soil management, timely availability of quality seeds and working capital assistance.

He stressed that value addition to farm products is crucial for increasing farmers’ earnings and ensuring long-term sustainability in the agriculture sector.

Referring to the newly inaugurated biochar plant, Sangma said the project would have multiple environmental and economic benefits for the state.

“The soil condition of our state is acidic, we receive heavy rainfall and we have an abundance of bamboo. Therefore, production of biochar is a feasible proposition,” he said.

The Chief Minister noted that the two pyrolysis units installed at the plant would play a major role in carbon sequestration by locking carbon in the process, while by-products such as bio-oil and synthesis gas (syngas) could also be utilised in environmentally beneficial ways.

Retired IFS officer Dr S. Ashutosh, while giving an overview of the Meghalaya Community Biochar Initiative, said the project seeks to address soil degradation, declining productivity, plant diseases and climate change impacts through community-based biochar enterprises using bamboo resources.

The project, implemented by Compliance Kart in partnership with Ri Bhoi FPC, has been developed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.

The plant can process one tonne of bamboo daily and is expected to help remove nearly 6,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 20 years while generating estimated revenue of Rs 12 crore.

Around 250 to 300 community members, including bamboo harvesters, machine operators and farmers, are expected to benefit directly from the initiative.

–IANS

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