Wheat farmers face an uphill battle in India’s Vibarbha region. Rainfall is unpredictable, groundwater is vanishing, and droughts are becoming more common. That makes it increasingly harder to grow food in this already dry landscape.

In partnership with Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth University in Akola, we set out to test whether adding biochar to the soil could help farmers grow more wheat with less water.

Biochar is a carbon-rich soil amendment made by heating agricultural waste at high temperatures with little oxygen. Biochar improves soil structure, helps retain moisture, and makes nutrients more available to crops.

Fewer irrigations, better harvest

In the trial, wheat was grown under different irrigation levels—with and without biochar. Some of the plots received fewer waterings but still outperformed the control fields, thanks to biochar.

One treatment, for example, used one less irrigation than the control but produced a 16% higher yield.

In other words: less water, more wheat.

Why it works

Biochar acts like a sponge in the soil. It holds water longer, gives plant roots better access to nutrients, and creates a healthier growing environment—especially in hot, dry conditions like those in Vidarbha.

For wheat farmers struggling with water shortages, that means fewer irrigation rounds, stronger crops, and more stable harvests.

The bigger picture

This trial is part of MASH Makes’ broader effort to test and scale sustainable farming practices across India. It shows that biochar is a practical tool that helps real farmers grow food more reliably in a changing world.

Want to see more biochar research results? Visit our research page.

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