Guwahati, May 11 -- By Roopak Goswami

Guwahati: A Nagaland University-led international study has identified biochar - a carbon-rich material produced from agricultural waste as a promising low-cost solution to tackle water scarcity, soil degradation and declining farm productivity in Northeast India's hill agriculture systems.

The study highlights how converting crop residues and organic biomass into biochar can significantly improve soil moisture retention, reduce water loss and enhance soil fertility, making it particularly suitable for rain-fed and slope-based farming landscapes like Nagaland.

Researchers say the findings are especially relevant for hill states where steep terrain causes rapid rainwater runoff and loss of nutrient-...