Indonesia launches biochar guide to lift rice yields and cut emissions

Semarang (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s central bank has launched a climate-smart agriculture business guide using biochar technology to boost rice yields, curb emissions, and strengthen national food security, officials said on Monday. Bank Indonesia introduced the handbook alongside the Coordinating Ministry for Food, the Agriculture Ministry, and Diponegoro University, offering practical guidance for sustainable farming based on climate smart agriculture and biochar technology. The guide was officially launched in Semarang, Central Java, by the Director of Bank Indonesia’s Inclusive and Green Economic and Financial Department, Kurniawan Agung, who said it aimed to help farmers and agribusinesses adopt sustainable production methods. He said the handbook detailed the use of biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from biomass waste, which improves soil quality, boosts fertilizer and water efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and raises rice productivity. Pilot projects ...