As of the 2021/22 Agriculture Census, approximately 19.4 million people—67% of Nepal’s population—are engaged in agriculture, though this proportion has steadily declined from 73% in 2005 to 62% in 2021. The majority are smallholder farmers working on fragmented and marginal lands, highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Among the most pressing challenges is soil degradation, affecting over 40% of the country’s agricultural land, driven by erosion, nutrient depletion, and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The mid-hills and high-hills, characterized by steep slopes and shallow soils, are particularly vulnerable.

Nepal’s agriculture is increasingly strained by climate variability, with unpredictable rainfall patterns, delayed monsoons, and more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. A 2022 national review of major cereal crops reported declining yields of rice, wheat, and finger millet across all agro-ecological zones. Supporting this, a 2023 analysis by Khatri and Timsina found that agricultural productivity has stagnated in recent years.

Moreover, farmland abandonment—especially in the mountainous rural regions—is becoming a significant concern. A 2020 study by Suresh Chaudhary identified multiple drivers behind this trend, including population growth, urbanization, poor infrastructure, weak agricultural policies, land fragmentation, and political instability. These factors not only impact the rural economy but also reshape Nepal’s eco-environmental and sociocultural landscapes.

Collectively, these challenges underscore the urgent need for climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural interventions where biochar application could be a game-changer for resilient agriculture in Nepal.

Biochar and its Potential in Nepal
Biochar is a charcoal-like material produced by heating organic biomass- such as wood chips, crop residues, or invasive plants—in low-oxygen conditions. Nepal possesses abundant biomass resources that are largely underutilized or openly burned, contributing to environmental pollution. Materials such as rice husk, maize stalks, forest litter, invasive plant species, animal manure, and kitchen waste can serve as ideal feedstock for biochar production. Utilizing these locally available and often discarded resources offers an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to biochar production, making it a highly promising solution in the context of Nepal.

Another, potential is due to its affordability that can be produced at different scales using simple, locally made kilns and easy to operate. Ithaka Nepal, one of the pioneer and active organization working in biochar promoted Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln to produce high quality char with low emissions. Another organization, FabLab Nepal has developed bio-kiln to facilitate efficient biochar production to increase crop yields for smallholder farmers with locally available material and components in Nepal. Both are ecofriendly.

A study under the EnLiFT project, led by biochar expert Prof. Dr. Bishnu Hari Pandit and his team in Bhumlu and Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipalities, has demonstrated the potential to expand the biochar-based enterprise. By purchasing approximately 4,500 kg of goat feed from local farmers, the initiative not only supported local agriculture but also contributed to income generation, benefiting the entire village community and showcasing the economic and social viability of biochar enterprises. Amid Nepal's chemical fertilizer shortage, farmers are turning to organic alternatives. This growing demand presents an opportunity for income generation through biochar-based organic fertilizer enterprises.

Biochar’s potential is much more evident in enhancing soil fertility when enriched with compost, urine, or farmyard manure. Biochar enhances nutrient retention and supports beneficial soil microbial activity, contributing to improved and sustained crop yields over time. Studies by NARC have reported high productivity, upto 50% increase in many crops like pumpkin, tea, potato, maize when incorporated with biochar.  Due to its high porosity it helps to retain water which can be significant for rainfed farming in the hills and also in drought condition. More importantly, over 90% of the carbon in the original biomass is retained in the biochar, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions and helping to sequester carbon in the soil. By avoiding open burning of crop residues and reducing synthetic fertilizer use, biochar helps cut greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals for climate mitigation.

Challenges and Gaps
Most farmers in Nepal are unfamiliar with the concept of biochar and its potential benefits. Due to limited access to agricultural extension services and exposure to innovative technologies, many smallholders continue to rely on traditional, and often unsustainable, farming practices. Without targeted awareness campaigns or practical field demonstrations, biochar remains a low-priority topic, particularly in rural communities.

Biochar expert Prof. Dr. Bishnu Hari Pandit highlights a critical gap in outreach and promotion, noting the absence of organized campaigns and effective marketing strategies. Even in urban areas, public awareness of biochar is extremely low, making it difficult to promote or sell the product in the market.

There is also a clear shortage of technical expertise and institutional capacity related to biochar production, field application, and long-term impact monitoring. Only a handful of academic institutions and government agencies in Nepal are currently engaged in biochar research or extension activities.

Moreover, Nepal lacks a dedicated national policy or incentive framework to support the development and adoption of biochar. Unlike compost or vermicompost, biochar is not integrated into mainstream agricultural programs, subsidies, or extension models. Development partners and private investors have also yet to recognize and prioritize biochar in climate finance or agro-enterprise portfolios.

This combination of low awareness, limited technical capacity, and policy neglect poses a major barrier to scaling up biochar initiatives in Nepal. To fully realize its potential, there is an urgent need for targeted awareness campaigns, farmer training, investment in research and innovation, and the inclusion of biochar in climate-smart agriculture policies. Without addressing these critical gaps, biochar will remain underutilized—despite its promise as a sustainable and climate-resilient solution for Nepali agriculture.

Way Forward
Recognizing the immense potential of biochar in enhancing soil health, supporting sustainable agriculture, and mitigating climate change, the Government of Nepal should prioritize investment in local research, capacity building, and farmer training. It is crucial to raise awareness and build trust among farmers and cooperatives by demonstrating the tangible benefits of biochar application through field trials and knowledge-sharing platforms.
Moreover, biochar must be integrated into national climate-smart agriculture policies as a key tool for promoting sustainable, resilient, and low-emission farming practices, particularly in vulnerable mid-hill and Terai regions.

Why let our valuable agricultural and forest waste go up in smoke when, with the right vision and action, we can transform it into "black gold"—reviving our soils, uplifting our farmers, and securing a climate-resilient future for Nepal? To support this vision, I strongly recommend that national authorities develop and promote a public awareness slogan “Biochar: Kalo Sun ko Byapar” (Biochar: A Trade in Black Gold). This could be promoted alongside the well-established slogan “Hariyo Ban, Nepal ko Dhan” (Green Forests, the Wealth of Nepal). Together, these messages can reinforce Nepal’s commitment to climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and environmentally sound development.