Workshop on Biochar - Production and Uses (India)

Thursday 16th - Friday 17th September 2010: for more information please see: http://biocharinnovation.wordpress.com.

Location: Appropriate Rural Technology Institute's Rural Entrepreneurship Development Centre Ganeshnagar, Phaltan - Banaramati Road, Phaltan 415523 District Satara. M.S., India

Phone contact: Ms. Sarah Carter 919595595424, Mr. V.G. Vyas 02166 249874

Email: sarah.carter@ed.ac.uk

This meeting will discuss the current state of biochar production and use in India, and will explore the potential for development of new technologies -- both large and small scale, with a particular focus on gasification cook stoves. Issues for consideration to policy makers, and prototype guidelines for sustainable biochar deployment as an agricultural soil amendment will be discussed. Biochar is the result of thermally treating biomass (including wood, agricultural residues, paper sludge) in a zero to low oxygen environment to produce a charcoal-type material which can provide agronomic benefits to soils.

Presentations based on your own work/experience on any of the above areas are welcome, please submit an abstract for consideration.

Delegates are encouraged to bring display/demonstration materials and video films based on their work. Demonstrators have to make their own arrangements for demonstration materials. A token remuneration will be offered to presenters.

The workshop venue is in Satara district, 120 km from Pune and about 300 km from Mumbai (the nearest International airport). Pune is well connected by road, rail and air to the rest of India. There are ST buses plying between Pune (Swargate ST stand) and Phaltan and the journey takes about 3 hrs. Alternative railway stations are Baramati, Nira, and Daund, from where ST buses are available for Phaltan.

Travel assistance can be offered to a limited number of participants from within India. Free transport will be made available between Pune and Phaltan for those who can reach Pune by 7 am on 16th September, and for those leaving Phaltan in the afternoon of 17th September, by prior intimation. Transport between Phaltan ST stand and accommodation / workshop venue will be provided on evening of 15th September, morning of 16th September as well as on afternoon of 17th September and morning of 18th September, by prior intimation.

Limited free accommodation can be provided on campus, for the nights of 15th, 16th and 17th September on first come first serve basis. This is a dormitory type accommodation with common bath and toilet facilities. Hotel accommodation can be arranged in Phaltan on request, but the costs will have to be borne by the participants. The hotel charges are generally around Rs.500 (non AC) to Rs.1000 (AC) per room per night.

Please note that delegates must attend the entire workshop in order to avail of free accommodation and/or travel assistance.

As the desired number of participants is limited, not more than two delegates from a single organisation can be accommodated.

This meeting is part of the Enabling Bio-innovations for Poverty Alleviation in Asia Project, funded through IDRC-CRDI www.bioinnovationpolicies.ait.asia