Almaty, Kazakhstan, On 28 August 2024, the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), has officially launched the "Train Stakeholders on the Use of Biotechnology for Sustainable Farming: Harnessing the Potential of Biochar" project. Hosted by the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU), this event marks a pivotal step in promoting sustainable agricultural practices across Central Asia.
The opening ceremony included remarks from Prof. Zulfiqar Ali, Director of the Programs and Projects Department at IOFS, Prof. Rafis Abazov, Vice-Rector of KazNARU; H.E. Prof. Dr. Primkul Ibragimov, First Deputy Rector of KazNARU; Mr. Bakbergen Koishibayev, First Secretary of the National Commission of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO (online); Dr. Fahman Fathurrahman, representative of ICESCO.
Prof. Zulfiqar Ali underscored the importance of biotechnology in improving soil health and highlighted the innovative role of biochar in enhancing agricultural productivity. He also expressed gratitude for the strong partnership of IOFS with ICESCO and KazNARU. The event brought together a diverse audience of 62 participants, including 18 online, comprising researchers, academics, government officials, and industry representatives from four OIC Member States: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan..
A key highlight was the Signing Ceremony for the Hand-Over Certificate of the Biochar Machine Prototype, signifying the formal transfer of the technology to support research and practical applications in the region.
Keynote sessions by international experts, including Dr. Ghulam Haider from Pakistan's NUST and Dr. Ahmed H. El-Naggar from ICBA, underscored biochar's global relevance in carbon sequestration, soil health, and crop production. These presentations highlighted biochar's potential to combat soil degradation and enhance agricultural sustainability.
Supported by IOFS and ICESCO, and developed with input from KazNARU and the Kazakh Soil Institute, the project focuses on promoting biochar for sustainable agriculture in Kazakhstan. A critical component is the biochar machine prototype, designed in collaboration with Pakistan’s NUST, which will facilitate applied research and practical application.
The event also featured an interactive session on collaborative knowledge creation, where participants discussed challenges, solutions, and policy development. This session will inform a policy paper on biochar use, guiding future initiatives in the region.
The second day will include hands-on training with the biochar machine, offering participants practical experience in biochar production and its application to improve soil health and agricultural productivity.
This initiative, the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, paves the way for the broader adoption of biochar technology across Central Asia. IOFS remains dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration to drive sustainable agricultural development among its member states, with plans to expand similar initiatives to other regions.
