2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 6

Agro residue generation is increasing globally due to the increase in agricultural crop area and cropping intensity. The increasing agricultural activities and modernization produces a lot of food processing waste, bio-waste and solid waste to meet the demands of food and energy for the growing population in the world. Improper disposal of biomass produced by the agricultural sector is a major challenge worldwide. conversion of agro residue into biochar helps to offset global warming gases emission and improve the soil health under changing climate. Converting agro residue into environmentally acceptable, low-cost biochar is not only a sensible recycling method, but also a cure for pollution control. Characterizing agro-residues involves detailed analysis of their physical, chemical and thermal properties to ensure they are suitable for biochar production. In India, the availability of diverse agro-residues presents a significant opportunity for sustainable biochar production, which can enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and provide an additional revenue stream for farmers. Biochar production from agricultural residues offers a sustainable solution for waste management and soil enhancement. This study assesses the potential of cotton stalk, soybean straw, and pigeon pea stalk as feedstock for biochar production. Comprehensive characterization was conducted through proximate and ultimate analysis, energy content evaluation. The findings indicate that each feedstock exhibits unique properties, influencing biochar yield and quality. The study highlights the comparative advantages and challenges of using these residues for biochar, aiming to optimize biochar production processes in agricultural systems.