Open for funding · development phase Pabna · first site to confirm

Biochar Field

What is actually left after harvest?

Test whether surplus crop residues in Pabna can support consistent biochar production and repeat demand.

Discuss development funding
ResidueCarbonSoil
Pabna · agricultural context

What Pabna produces

District crop output identifies potential feedstocks. It does not establish collectable residue.

Rice525,849 t2024–25 production
Jute fibre104,387 t2024–25 output
Maize≈10,239 t2024–25 production
The investable number is usable residue at a viable delivered cost.
Existing useExisting valueSeasonal volumeCollectableSuitable

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics · Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics 2025 · Pabna 2024–25: rice = Total Aus + Total Aman + Total Boro; maize = Rabi + Kharif; jute converted from reported bales at 181.43 kg per bale.

Feedstock case

Check what residue is genuinely available

Biochar is a carbon-rich material made by heating organic matter with limited oxygen.

Existing useWhat is it used for now?
Existing valueWho already pays for it?
Seasonal volumeHow much can actually be collected?
ConditionMoisture, ash and contamination.
Delivered costCollection, preprocessing and haul radius.
Batch evidence

Four records for each batch

Dried corn cobs stored after harvest
SourceConfirm usable feedstock.
Source

Confirm usable feedstock

  • Current use and existing value
  • Ownership and seasonal volume
  • Condition and delivered collection cost
  • Traceable source

Crop-storage context · Nenad Stojković / Wikimedia Commons.

Field + market evidence

Test performance against delivered cost

Bangladesh biochar research ↗
Trial armWhat it establishes
ControlExisting local soil and farmer baseline.
BiocharMaterial response plus delivered application cost.
Biochar + compostWhether blending improves handling, application economics or field response.
Investment questionDoes the response justify what it costs to buy, move and apply the material?
Product economics

Cost the physical product

Delivered feedstock+Production+Handling · testing · transport=Physical product cost

Test that cost against willingness to pay, repeat demand or a credible offtake route.

What development funding buys

From diligence to operating evidence

A development decision precedes any operating investment.

Development fundingBuild the investment case.
  1. Feedstock pack

    Available volume, competing use and delivered cost.

  2. Site + approvals pack

    Preferred site, fallback and clearance path.

  3. Procurement pack

    Comparable equipment offers and recommendation.

  4. Proof pack

    Field protocol, prospective users and carbon pre-screen.

If the case supports investment

Operating evidenceBuild a track record for scale.
  1. Commissioned line

    Controlled production with safety and batch records.

  2. Operating record

    One season of feedstock, process and yield evidence.

  3. Field + market evidence

    Application cost, field response and repeat demand.

  4. Scale decision pack

    A clear recommendation on whether and how to scale.

Investment conditions

Conditions for a scale decision

  • Feedstock is genuinely surplus and economical to collect.
  • The site clears environmental and operating requirements.
  • Equipment meets safety and emissions standards.
  • Field response justifies delivered application cost.
  • Users show repeat demand.
  • Any carbon claim meets the chosen methodology.
Department of Environment · Rules 2023 ↗
Project allocationEnvironment 65%
Education 10%Health 0%Environment 65%Livelihood 25%

Evidence base

BBSYearbook of Agricultural Statistics 2025 · Pabna 2024–25 rice, jute and maize context; rice aggregates Aus + Aman + Boro, maize aggregates Rabi + Kharif, and jute tonnes are converted from BBS bales at 181.43 kg per bale.
FAO / ITPSBiochar in sustainable soil management: potential and constraintsVerraVM0044 Biochar Utilization v1.2Bangladesh DoEEnvironment Conservation Rules 2023HSTU-linked researchCo-composted biochar, acidic soil and maize

Image credits: corn-cob storage · Nenad Stojković / Wikimedia Commons; biochar material · Sophia Wojkowski / USDA ARS; field application · GIZ / Tim Brunauer / Wikimedia Commons; maize field, Kurigram · context image, not project evidence.

Open for funding · development phase · Pabna first site to confirm

Measure what the fields leave behind

Test collectable residue, site and equipment options, delivered costs and farmer demand before funding scale-up.

Final costing follows site and vendor diligence.

Discuss this project