Shell and cargill to explore collaboration on biochar program in pakistan
In 2021, Pakistan was ranked 3rd by IQAir with worst air quality amongst a list of countries. With the agriculture sector contributing to almost 20% of the country’s GDP, significant agricultural production and agricultural waste is generated. When agricultural waste is burnt to prepare the fields for the next planting season, this inevitably contributes to the air pollution challenge.
In the picture (L-R) Waqar Siddiqui, CEO & MD of Shell Pakistan Limited, Zain Hak, Shell VP A&F, Zsolt Kocza, APAC Commercial Excellence Lead Cargill, Imran Nasrullah, CEO Cargill Pakistan
Biochar technology presents an opportunity to significantly reduce emissions associated with agricultural waste burning. With pyrolysis process, a process of thermal decomposition of biomass in an oxygen-controlled environment, biochar is produced with little to no contaminating fumes. Biochar, applied as a soil amendment on farms, can potentially improve soil health.
Shell Agriculture and Forestry (A&F) and Cargill will explore collaboration on developing a biochar program for Pakistani farmers to support a more sustainable agriculture ecosystem and directly reduce emissions related to agriculture waste burning. In this partnership, both will also continuously explore the pathways to decarbonization for the sector.
About Shell Agriculture and Forestry (A&F)
A&F is a dedicated organization within Shell to profitability serve and jointly decarbonize the A&F sector which accounts for about 27% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A&F does this by being the partner of choice in offering sustainable and integrated solutions to solve challenges across A&F value chains, accelerating the sector’s transition to net zero emissions.
About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial, and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, our privately held company employs over 139,000 people in 65 countries. With a strong purpose to be the global leader in nourishing people.