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Current Status and National Policy on Biochar Production and Application in Thailand

Soil Science Research Group, Agricultural Product Science Research and Development

Office,

Thai Department of Agriculture

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Examples of Thai Agricultural Wastes

Pineapple peel Durian shell Mangosteen shell

Coconut fibre and shell Oil palm branch Rice straw

Cassava stemRice husk

Bagass

Corncob

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Agricultural Residues (Mt) of Thailand

- no information (Office of Agricultural Economics, 2013)

Biomass Total Used AvailableRice husk 3.95 0.86 3.09Rice straw 34.04 0.00 3.40Corncob 0.84 0.41 0.43Sugarcane leaves 16.80 0.00 6.72Bagass 21.00 21.00 0.00Cassava stem 2.11 0.00 0.84Cassava root 1.76 0.00 0.70Oil palm leaves 2.36 0.00 1.53Oil palm fibre 1.31 1.08 0.23Oil palm shell 0.53 0.22 0.31Oil palm branch 2.01 0.88 1.13Pararubber (age >25years) 200.00 196.45 3.55Eucalyptus wood 6.80 5.62 1.18Durian shell 0.05 0.00 0.05Mangosteen shell 0.16 - 0.16Pineapple peel 0.66 - 0.66Coconut fibre 0.51 - 0.51Coconut shell 0.22 - 0.22

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Types of Waste Agricultural Biomass

Agriculture in Thailand is varied in terms of activities in each region or locality, particularly in the way farm cultures and traditions have been handed down through generations. Each region has clear social and economic differences.

Paddy Field 11.27 million ha

Field Crop (5.02 m ha)

-Cassava 1.70 million ha

-Sugarcane 1.67 million ha

-Maize 1.65 million ha

Perennial Crop (4.42 m ha)

-Para Rubber 3.31 million ha

-Oil Palm 0.60 million ha

-Eucalyptus 0.51 million ha

Orchard (1.54 m ha)

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Thai Policy/ Plan on Soil and Nutrient Management

• Agricultural zoning plan for the farming of six economic crops including rice, maize, oil palm, cassava, sugar cane and rubber

• Strengthening food security

• Developing Thailand’s organic agriculture

• A better standard of living for Thai farmers -use the land with high efficiency -various production -reduce risks -reduce cost of production -increase income -balance natural environment -more activities -reduce migration and better life quality

Sufficiency Economy

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Overviews on Soil and Nutrient Management towards Sustainable Agri-food System in Thailand

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Examples of traditional kiln in Thailand

Pyrolysis reactor

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Organic Farm, Sampran Riverside Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

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Local people SchoolTemple

Noen Kham District, Chai Nat Province

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The Eco-community Vigor FoundationDr. Prateep Verapatthnanirund and Professor Dr. Tasnee Attanandana

Low-cost technology for Thai farmersA site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) research project

11Khao Kling Prison Camp

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Bamboo Charcoal (BUNTON)

Soil amendmentCosmeticMedicine

Sampanta Subdistrict, Nadee District, Prachinburi 25220

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Biochar application to soil

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Water retention and movement in soils

Land Development Department Station 5, Khonkaen Province

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Low and high magnification scanning electron micrographs and x-ray spectra of particlesof the chloride minerals sylvite (KCl) and halite (NaCl) on the surface of sugar palm fibrebiochar.

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Noen Kham District, Chai Nat Province

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Conclusions- Thailand’s rapid increase in waste agricultural biomass

Oil palmCassavaRice huskFruit shell such as durian shell, mangosteen shell and pineapple, etc

- Biochar is suitable for organic farming.

- Biochar is placed in soil to fertilize and lime the soil.

- We have some biochar research without direction.

- Some farmers and organic farms use biochar.

- Lack of knowledge and knowledge management.