ICAR-CCARI Launches Carbon Pathshala for Goa Farmers

ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa, organised a one-day workshop titled “Carbon Pathshala: Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) for Farmers” at ICAR-KVK, Old Goa, on 21 August 2026. The programme was held with Core CarbonX Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, under a research project on plantation-based systems, biochar production, and carbon credit generation in the west coast region of India.

Voluntary Carbon Market

The voluntary carbon market is a trading system in which carbon credits are bought and sold outside mandatory compliance frameworks. One carbon credit generally represents one metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced, removed, or avoided through a verified project.

Carbon sequestration is the capture and storage of atmospheric carbon in biomass, soils, or other reservoirs. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating organic matter in limited oxygen, and it is used in soil management and carbon storage projects.

Workshop Themes and Technical Sessions

The “Carbon Pathshala” initiative was designed to familiarise farmers with carbon sequestration, voluntary carbon markets, and biochar-based carbon credits. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director of ICAR-CCARI, stated that carbon-credit participation can provide farmers with an additional income stream.

Dr. A. R. Uthappa, Senior Scientist (Agroforestry), discussed pilot work in Kulagar systems and the conversion of farm and plantation residues into biochar. Dr. Sandip Mandal, Senior Scientist at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal, demonstrated the production of biochar through a portable unit.

Carbon Project Cycle and Farm Applications

Mr. Sandeep Kanda of Core CarbonX Solutions Pvt. Ltd. explained the carbon project cycle and the process of entering agricultural carbon markets. The workshop linked plantation residues, soil health improvement, and carbon credit generation within a single project framework.

The research project associated with the workshop is titled “Potential of Plantation-Based Systems in Generating Carbon Credit through Biochar Production in the West Coast Region of India”. The project connects agroforestry, residue management, and carbon accounting in coastal agricultural systems.

Important Facts for Exams

• ICAR-CCARI stands for the ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute.
• Voluntary carbon markets operate outside mandatory emissions trading systems.
• Biochar is produced by pyrolysis, which is heating organic material in low-oxygen conditions.
• Carbon credits are commonly measured as one metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Participating Farmers and Local Coverage

About 100 farmers from Keri, Priol, Madkai, Cumbarjua, and Karmali attended the workshop. The programme was structured to support women farmers and smallholder farmers in pilot projects linked to voluntary carbon markets.