Shillong, May 11: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday inaugurated a first-of-its-kind community-focused Biochar Unit at Umsli in Ri Bhoi district, describing the initiative as a major step toward sustainable agriculture, climate action and rural livelihood generation.
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| Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and officials release reports during the inauguration of the Meghalaya Community Biochar Initiative at Umsli in Ri Bhoi district on May 11, 2026. (Image: X/SangmaConrad) |
The Biochar Plant, set up at the Eastern Ri Bhoi Organic FPC Processing Plant, converts sustainably harvested bamboo into biochar - a stable carbon-rich material that improves soil fertility, enhances moisture retention and permanently stores carbon for hundreds of years.
Addressing the inauguration programme, Sangma said improving farmers’ income remains one of the government’s key priorities and that several interventions are being introduced to strengthen agricultural productivity and sustainability.
“It is important to add value to farmers’ products through multiple activities, from improving soil health and providing quality seeds to supporting working capital,” the Chief Minister said.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s acidic soil conditions, heavy rainfall and abundant bamboo resources, Sangma said biochar production is especially suitable for the state and would play a significant role in restoring soil health while supporting environmentally sustainable farming practices.
He added that the unit’s pyrolysis technology would help in carbon sequestration by locking carbon away instead of allowing it to return to the atmosphere. The by-products, including bio-oil and synthesis gas, can also be used for environmentally beneficial purposes.
According to officials, the Rs 1.5 crore project has the capacity to process one tonne of bamboo daily, converting nearly 30 per cent into biochar. The initiative is being implemented by Compliance Kart in partnership with Ri Bhoi FPC.
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The project is expected to remove nearly 6,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 20 years and generate around Rs 12 crore in carbon revenue, which will be shared with farmers and local institutions.
The initiative is also expected to directly benefit around 250 to 300 people across Khasi Hills and Garo Hills, including bamboo harvesters, machine operators and farmers.
During the programme, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries also released reports on Bamboo Resource Assessment and Inventory of Aeronaut and Other Horticultural Species.
