BCI, Planboo launch Biochar Pilot to improve soil health in India

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and climate-tech startup Planboo have announced a new project that will test the production and use of biochar on cotton farms in India. The aim is to improve environmental performance, measure its impact and explore whether the method can be expanded across the cotton sector.

Beginning in February 2026, the project will involve at least 75 farmers who will turn agricultural waste from the January cotton harvest into biochar, a charcoal-like material known for improving soil quality and storing carbon in the soil for over 100 years.

Lars van Doremalen, Director of Impact at BCI, said: “Since announcing our partnership with Planboo in September, we have been working to identify suitable locations and partners for testing this solution. Biochar has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and remove carbon while helping farming communities adapt to climate change.”

Throughout the project, Planboo’s digital Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRVin) system will record every step, from producing biochar to calculating carbon removals. This all-in-one software measures waste inputs, biochar output and total carbon removed, making carbon data more accessible. This verified data on carbon reductions will also help create new income opportunities for farming communities.