ICAR-CIRCOT Holds Strategic Discussion on Cotton Stalk Biochar and Farmer Carbon Credits

An interactive meeting for scientists of ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai, was convened on September 18, 2026, to explore the agricultural and multi-sectoral applications of biochar. The session experts included Dr. K. R. Kranti, Chief Scientist at the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), along with Merago/Geoclara co-founders Mr. Govind Setlur (CEO) and Ms. Rashmee Narayan (COO). Opening the session, Dr. S. K. Shukla, Director of ICAR-CIRCOT, highlighted the immense potential of utilizing India's abundant cotton stalk supply for biochar production. He addressed the logistical challenges associated with raw material transport and emphasized the necessity of implementing decentralized conversion systems to streamline operations. Expanding on these technical aspects, Senior Scientist Dr. Ajinath Dukare presented ongoing research focused on enriching biochar using banana pseudostem sap and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria to enhance its soil-nutrient value.

Commending ICAR-CIRCOT's pioneering research, Dr. Kranti encouraged the team to pursue strategic collaborations on securing carbon credits generated through cotton stalk-based biochar production. Drawing on his global perspective, he emphasized how integrating such sustainable practices aligns with international initiatives to reduce cotton farming's carbon footprint and elevate smallholder farmers' incomes. His advocacy underscores ICAC’s broader mission to drive eco-friendly agricultural innovations and promote climate-resilient practices across member nations.

In response, Merago/Geoclara executives Mr. Setlur and Ms. Narayan expressed their willingness to facilitate the carbon credit certification process to route financial and environmental benefits directly to local farmers. Geoclara is a sustainability and carbon-management platform developed by Merago Inc. that tracks carbon footprints, manages carbon credits, and promotes eco-friendly practices like sustainable farming. By bridging scientific innovation with commercial certification, this collaborative effort seeks to establish a framework that mitigates agricultural waste, promotes carbon sequestration, and provides direct economic upliftment for the farming community.