1. Program Pertanian Hijau: Penggunaan Biochar untuk Pertanian Lestari
This event was co-organized by Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Carbon Zero Sdn Bhd with support from Biochar Malaysian Association (BMA) which was held in Agro Technology Park Cameron Highlands on 5th January 2025. This program was involved 40 students from Universiti Malaya, private company, BMA members, community and farmers.
2. Program Pengurusan Tanah Lestari: Penggunaan Biochar Untuk Tanaman Padi dan Sayuran
A community knowledge-sharing program titled “Sustainable Soil Management: Application of Biochar for Rice and Vegetable Cultivation” was recently held in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Tanjung Karang, Selangor. The program aimed to raise awareness among farmers about the benefits of biochar in improving soil health and increasing rice yields. Jointly organized by the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) Kampung Sungai Sireh, Carbon Zero Sdn Bhd, Unit Peladang Sungai Sireh Utara, and the Malaysian Society of Soil Science, the event was supported by the Biochar Malaysia Association and the University of Malaya Soil Doctors Programme (UMSDP). Officiated by YB Captain Datuk Dr. Zulkafperi Hanafi, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Karang, the initiative addressed the pressing issue of declining rice yields in the region. He stated that the implementation of the program is a good approach to help rice farmers. “Our issue here in Tanjong Karang is the declining rice yields, and many farmers have expressed concern. Therefore, this program is very timely, as researchers and industry representatives have come to share their findings on how to improve rice yields,” he said. The program featured talks and demonstrations on the role of biochar in sustainable agriculture, particularly its potential to improve soil fertility and support climate-resilient farming.
3. Sharing session entitle; Biochar for Improved Soil Health, Food Production, and Eutrophication Mitigation
This public sharing session featured Dr. Lucy Ngatia, Assistant Professor at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), United States. The program provided a platform to exchange insights, identify potential areas of collaboration, and explore how biochar can improve soil quality, increase food production, and reduce pollution in rivers and lakes.
The session was initiated by Biochar Malaysia Association (BMA) member, Mdm. Intan Nadhirah Masri, who was previously Dr. Ngatia’s mentee under the USDA Scientific Exchange Program at FAMU. Co-organized by the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Biochar Malaysia Association (BMA), the session was held on 18th June 2025 at 9.00 am via Google Meet. The event was highly informative, with an engaging discussion that addressed participants’ questions. A total of 53 participants from various agencies attended the session.
4. Biochar Workshop Series 1: Sustainable Soil, Carbon Opportunities and Circular Economy in Action
On 2nd July 2025, the Biochar Malaysia Association (BMA), co-organized with Kolej Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, UPM organizing biochar workshop in Mini Auditorium, TNCPI Building, UPM. This workshop featured four distinguished speakers who shared their expertise on various aspects. Prof. Dr. Prakash Nagabovanalli from University of Agricultural Sciences (UASB), Bangalore, India shared his expertise with talk entitle “Boosting Soil Fertility with Biochar: A Sustainable Solution”. The second speaker, Dr. Nur Sa’adah Abdul Halim from Carbon Zero Sdn Bhd given a talk on “Unlocking the Carbon Credit Potential: The Power of Biochar” followed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosazlin Abdullah, from Institute of Biological Sciences Universiti Malaya (UM) with the session on “Why Isn’t Biochar Everywhere? Exploring the Challenges of Scalling Up In Malaysia” and the last speaker, Mdm. Intan Nadhirah Masri, from Malaysian Agricultural Research & Development Institute (MARDI) shared the project entitled “Food Waste Composting & Creating Recycling Loop in Cameron Highlands: MARDI Experience”. More than 40 participants turn out in this program from different agencies including academician, research institute, entrepreneur, farmer and students.
5. Biochar Facility Site Visit in Kelantan
A site visit to Bukit Selar Carbon Station located in Jeli, Kelantan was successfully conducted on 8 October 2025, bringing together 10 participants from academia and industry to strengthen collaboration and facilitate knowledge sharing on industrial-scale biochar production and sustainable biomass utilization.
The participants included Dr. Amran (Kuala Lumpur), Ms. Hazirah and two representatives from Treehouz (Kuala Lumpur), Mr. Richard (Kuala Lumpur, carpooling with Dato’ Lai and Dr. Saadah), Dato’ Lai, Dr. Saadah, Mr. Mong (joined the group at Gua Musang), and Mr. Afham together with one representative from Ain Biomass (joined from Gua Musang).
During the visit, participants toured the Bukit Selar Carbon Station to observe the commercial-scale biochar production process, biomass feedstock handling, and the facility’s sustainable carbon management practices. The visit also provided opportunities for technical discussions on biomass valorisation, biochar applications, carbon sequestration, and potential collaborations between academia and industry to advance sustainable biochar technologies.
Overall, the site visits successfully enhanced participants’ understanding of commercial biochar production and highlighted the role of innovative biomass technologies in supporting Malaysia’s circular economy, carbon removal initiatives, and climate change mitigation efforts.
