Pakistan
March 26, 2014

An international workshop on bio-char, arranged by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Monday 24th March 2014.

Biochar is charcoal which is particularly used for the purpose of soil amendment. It can increase soil fertility, increase agricultural productivity, and provide protection against some foliar and soil-borne diseases.

The Vice Chancellor of UAF, Professor Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan while addressing, said as the country?s population is touching 190 million and around 60 percent of the country is under the grip of the food insecurity.

So, being an agrarian country Pakistan has numerous resources of bio-char and biomass available from agricultural crops and solid waste generated in huge quantities. He added that bio-char for the waste management, clean development and water purification will result in tackling the issues. He mentioned the carbon management is the area of the concerns.

Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arshad focused the promotion and usage of Bio-char in agriculture sector in order to alleviate the effect of carbon and green house gases. He called for combination of bio-char and organic material for soil fertility.

Professor Dr. Genxing Pan from China said his country is effectively working on the bio-char which is a new low carbon technology in the agriculture sector.

He also invited Pakistan for getting benefit from their new technology.

Speakers also added that bio-energy was the key for the future economy growth, but the emission of carbon oxide are resulting in melting of glaciers and affecting the agriculture sector. Therefore, Bio-char is helping the carbon dioxide reduction.

Dr. Fahad Rasool concluded that seminar was aim to raise the awareness among the masses about the bio-char so that the technology can be promoted in the country.

Link: http://uaf.edu.pk/events_2012/events.html

Website: http://www.pabic.com.pk

Published: March 26, 2014