A research team from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has introduced a dual-purpose cooking appliance known as the “BAU BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More Stove.” Funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), the project was led by Prof. Md. Shahiduzzaman and supported by a multi-disciplinary group of scientists from the departments of Parasitology and Soil Science. This innovation allows for high-temperature domestic cooking while simultaneously generating organic charcoalCharcoal is a black, brittle, and porous material produced by heating wood or other organic substances in a low-oxygen environment. It is primarily used as a fuel source for cooking and heating.   More through a specialized carbonization process. Currently undergoing field testing in the Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur, the technology represents a significant advancement in integrating carbon sequestration with daily household activities in Bangladesh.

The primary challenge addressed by the BAU research team is the prohibitive cost of conventional biochar production, which has historically limited its adoption among smallholder farmers. While the benefits of biochar for soil health and carbon sequestration are well-documented, dedicated pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More units are often too expensive for rural households. Additionally, traditional cooking methods in the region are frequently inefficient, requiring significant amounts of firewood and contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions. The lack of a low-cost, accessible method for producing high-quality biochar has remained a bottleneck for climate-smart agricultural practices in developing economies.

The solution developed by BAU involves a stove engineered to operate at temperatures between 300 and 600°C in a low-oxygen environment, facilitating the production of biochar from common biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More fuels like firewood. By using locally available materials and software-optimized designs, the team created a cost-effective unit that functions as a household utility. This “farmer-friendly” approach ensures that biochar is produced as a byproduct of a necessary daily task—cooking—rather than through a separate, costly industrial process. The resulting biochar retains high inorganic carbon content, making it suitable for soil application and methane reduction in livestock management.

Early outcomes of the field trials indicate that the BAU Biochar Stove reduces both cooking time and fuel consumption compared to traditional stoves. Feedback from users in Mymensingh and Rangpur suggests that the appliance is highly efficient for large families, allowing them to produce quality biochar at no additional cost. Beyond domestic efficiency, the biochar produced helps sequester carbon and improve soil fertility when applied to fields. As the project moves toward broader implementation, it offers a scalable model for reducing agricultural methane emissions and enhancing soil quality through decentralized, household-level technology.