Use biochar, mechanisation for higher yields: Gadkari to farmers

Time of India

30-05-2025

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Nagpur: Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari called on farmers to embrace organic carbon techniques, biochar use, and modern mechanisation to improve agricultural yields, reduce input costs, and bolster farm income.
Speaking at a workshop on biochar production and training at Bhakti Farms in Dhapewada on Friday, Gadkari said, "Organic carbon is like oxygen for soil—essential for healthy farming and prosperity."
Addressing farmers and agricultural experts, he stressed that new technologies and organic farming practices can ensure better productivity and higher profitability. "We must adopt these innovations to protect the environment and improve the lives of farmers," he said.
The workshop was organised by Agrovision Foundation and attended by dignitaries including Kanchan Gadkari, senior agricultural scientist CD Mayee, A Manikandan from ICAR-CICR, Ramkrishna Ghodpage from Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Vijay Waghmare, Agrovision's Ravi Boratkar, and MGIRI's Ashutosh Murkute, Deep Verma, BJP district president Anandrao Raut, and other local leaders.
Highlighting examples from Maharashtra, Gadkari cited Saoner's Rajesh Bagal, who reaped 110 tonne sugarcane per acre by boosting soil carbon content to 0.8% through compost use.
Similarly, BJP leader Raut harvested 100 tonne sugarcane per acre after enhancing organic carbon levels in his land. "These examples prove that increasing organic carbon directly improves yields," he said.
Gadkari described biochar as a 'black gold' that enhances soil fertility and combats climate change by storing carbon and reducing pollution. "Biochar also improves water retention and nutrient levels in soil," he explained.
He noted that 'padhati' and 'turhati' are excellent local biomass sources for biochar production in Maharashtra.
Gadkari detailed affordable methods to produce biochar, introducing equipment developed by MGIRI in Wardha: the drum-type pyrolyser priced at Rs5,000 to Rs7,000, and the box-type pyrolyser priced at Rs30,000, which can be mounted on tractors for easy field use.
Beyond biochar, Gadkari urged farmers to explore cutting-edge technologies like drones for spraying nano urea, which can cut fertiliser wastage from 75% in manual spraying to just 25%.
He cited farmer Dilip Dhote's success with drones and discussed solar-powered electric tractors and electronic bullock carts as affordable and efficient solutions for small farmers.
Gadkari shared his own farming experiments, including mechanised 'iwamrut' (organic fertiliser) production at his farm, and free fly ash distribution from power plants to improve soil quality and reduce costs. He spoke about plans to create an organic fruit and vegetable market linked to Bhakti Farms, where residue-free produce will fetch higher prices compared to local mandis.
"We're developing a dedicated website for Bhakti Farm Market so farmers can earn up to Rs4 lakh per acre from organic onions," he said.
He also called for creating a bank of small agricultural tools and machinery to help farmers reduce their dependence on scarce labour and complete field work quickly. "New equipment is available in the market, but banks of such tools will make them accessible to small farmers," he suggested.
Gadkari expressed his determination to end farmer suicides by reducing costs and improving farm incomes through technology. "Scientists must visit villages and teach farmers these methods so no one is left behind," he said, thanking Nagpur University management council member Samay Bansod for organising the workshop. "If we mechanise, experiment, and share knowledge, I'm confident we can end farmer distress and ensure prosperity for every farmer," he concluded.
# What is Biochar?
A carbon-rich material created by burning crop residues in low-oxygen conditions (pyrolysis). It looks similar to charcoal.
# Key Benefits
- Enhances soil organic carbon
- Improves soil fertility and water retention
- Reduces fertiliser requirements
- Stores carbon, combating climate change
- Cuts agricultural waste by reusing crop residue
# How to Produce Biochar:
- Drum-type pyrolyser:
- Cost: ₹5,000–₹7,000
- Made from steel drums, suitable for individual farmers
- Box-type pyrolyser:
- Cost: ₹30,000
- Tractor-mounted for larger-scale production
# Scientific Backing:
- Increases organic carbon in soil, leading to better yields
- Known as "black gold" by agricultural scientists
- Proven to boost crop production when used with compost
# Local Examples:
Farmers in Maharashtra increased yields from 60–70 tonnes to over 100 tonnes of sugarcane per acre by raising soil carbon.
Endorsed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at the Dhapewada workshop.
# Sustainability Impact:
- Reduces need for chemical fertilisers
- Cuts down greenhouse gas emissions
- Prevents open burning of crop residues
# Applications
- Can be mixed with compost for organic farming
- Enhances yield quality, increasing market value of produce
- Reduces input costs over time
# Call to Action for Farmers
- Test soil for organic carbon (minimum 0.25% ideal, can go up to 0.8%)
- Start small-scale biochar production using local crop residues
- Combine with organic techniques to boost incomes and fight climate change
Nagpur: Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari called on farmers to embrace organic carbon techniques, biochar use, and modern mechanisation to improve agricultural yields, reduce input costs, and bolster farm income. Speaking at a workshop on biochar production and training at Bhakti Farms in Dhapewada on Friday, Gadkari said, "Organic carbon is like oxygen for soil—essential for healthy farming and prosperity.
"
Addressing farmers and agricultural experts, he stressed that new technologies and organic farming practices can ensure better productivity and higher profitability. "We must adopt these innovations to protect the environment and improve the lives of farmers," he said.
The workshop was organised by Agrovision Foundation and attended by dignitaries including Kanchan Gadkari, senior agricultural scientist CD Mayee, A Manikandan from ICAR-CICR, Ramkrishna Ghodpage from Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Vijay Waghmare, Agrovision's Ravi Boratkar, and MGIRI's Ashutosh Murkute, Deep Verma, BJP district president Anandrao Raut, and other local leaders.
Highlighting examples from Maharashtra, Gadkari cited Saoner's Rajesh Bagal, who reaped 110 tonne sugarcane per acre by boosting soil carbon content to 0.8% through compost use. Similarly, BJP leader Raut harvested 100 tonne sugarcane per acre after enhancing organic carbon levels in his land. "These examples prove that increasing organic carbon directly improves yields," he said.
Gadkari described biochar as a 'black gold' that enhances soil fertility and combats climate change by storing carbon and reducing pollution.
"Biochar also improves water retention and nutrient levels in soil," he explained. He noted that 'padhati' and 'turhati' are excellent local biomass sources for biochar production in Maharashtra.
Gadkari detailed affordable methods to produce biochar, introducing equipment developed by MGIRI in Wardha: the drum-type pyrolyser priced at Rs5,000 to Rs7,000, and the box-type pyrolyser priced at Rs30,000, which can be mounted on tractors for easy field use.
Beyond biochar, Gadkari urged farmers to explore cutting-edge technologies like drones for spraying nano urea, which can cut fertiliser wastage from 75% in manual spraying to just 25%. He cited farmer Dilip Dhote's success with drones and discussed solar-powered electric tractors and electronic bullock carts as affordable and efficient solutions for small farmers.
Gadkari shared his own farming experiments, including mechanised 'iwamrut' (organic fertiliser) production at his farm, and free fly ash distribution from power plants to improve soil quality and reduce costs.
He spoke about plans to create an organic fruit and vegetable market linked to Bhakti Farms, where residue-free produce will fetch higher prices compared to local mandis. "We're developing a dedicated website for Bhakti Farm Market so farmers can earn up to Rs4 lakh per acre from organic onions," he said.
He also called for creating a bank of small agricultural tools and machinery to help farmers reduce their dependence on scarce labour and complete field work quickly.
"New equipment is available in the market, but banks of such tools will make them accessible to small farmers," he suggested.
Gadkari expressed his determination to end farmer suicides by reducing costs and improving farm incomes through technology. "Scientists must visit villages and teach farmers these methods so no one is left behind," he said, thanking Nagpur University management council member Samay Bansod for organising the workshop.
"If we mechanise, experiment, and share knowledge, I'm confident we can end farmer distress and ensure prosperity for every farmer," he concluded.
# What is Biochar?
A carbon-rich material created by burning crop residues in low-oxygen conditions (pyrolysis). It looks similar to charcoal.
# Key Benefits
- Enhances soil organic carbon
- Improves soil fertility and water retention
- Reduces fertiliser requirements
- Stores carbon, combating climate change
- Cuts agricultural waste by reusing crop residue
# How to Produce Biochar:
- Drum-type pyrolyser:
- Cost: ₹5,000–₹7,000
- Made from steel drums, suitable for individual farmers
- Box-type pyrolyser:
- Cost: ₹30,000
- Tractor-mounted for larger-scale production
# Scientific Backing:
- Increases organic carbon in soil, leading to better yields
- Known as "black gold" by agricultural scientists
- Proven to boost crop production when used with compost
# Local Examples:
Farmers in Maharashtra increased yields from 60–70 tonnes to over 100 tonnes of sugarcane per acre by raising soil carbon.
Endorsed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at the Dhapewada workshop.
# Sustainability Impact:
- Reduces need for chemical fertilisers
- Cuts down greenhouse gas emissions
- Prevents open burning of crop residues
# Applications
- Can be mixed with compost for organic farming
- Enhances yield quality, increasing market value of produce
- Reduces input costs over time
# Call to Action for Farmers
- Test soil for organic carbon (minimum 0.25% ideal, can go up to 0.8%)
- Start small-scale biochar production using local crop residues
- Combine with organic techniques to boost incomes and fight climate change