The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) successfully concluded the capacity-building segment of the "Train Stakeholders on the Use of Biotechnology for Sustainable Farming: Harnessing the Potential of Biochar" project. The training, which took place at the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU), was marked by the handover of a biochar machine prototype to Kazakhstani institutions, symbolizing a significant step toward sustainable agriculture in the region.
At the conclusion of the first day, First Deputy Rector of KazNARU, Prof. Dr. Primkul Ibragimov, met with the organizers from IOFS and ICESCO, along with the international experts. He commended the innovative approach of biochar application discussed during the training and highlighted the positive feedback from the participating scientists. Dr. Ibragimov stressed the importance of this technology for advancing sustainable agriculture in Kazakhstan and expressed his support for its continued development and application.
In the second day participants engaged in hands-on training with the biochar machine, gaining practical experience in biochar production and its application to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity. The sessions were led by international experts, including Dr. Ghulam Haider from Pakistan's National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and Dr. Ahmed H. El-Naggar from the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). The sessions began with a theoretical session where international experts introduced the concept and working principles of the biochar machine. Following this, the practical segment brought together researchers, university teachers, farmers, and students, who, alongside the experts, actively engaged with the biochar machine. They produced biochar using the provided biochar machine prototype and collected samples for analysis and comparison with the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) standard.
Looking forward, the Kazakh National Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry will conduct applied research on biochar production and application during the autumn of 2024 and spring of 2025. The results of this research will be presented in August 2025.
The event concluded with a ceremony where participants were awarded certificates. KazNARU, along with other Kazakhstani research institutions, expressed their appreciation for IOFS and ICESCO's efforts in organizing the event and introducing biochar production and application at the small-scale farmer level.
This initiative represents a pivotal step in promoting sustainable agricultural practices across Central Asia. As the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, it sets the stage for the broader adoption of biochar technology throughout the region. IOFS remains committed to fostering innovation and collaboration to drive sustainable agricultural development among its member states and plans to expand similar initiatives to other regions.
