By School of Environment, Resources and Development
5 January 2025: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population and is primarily cultivated in flooded fields. Beyond ensuring food security, it also holds significant cultural and social importance in Asia. However, rice cultivation faces numerous challenges, including high water consumption, declining soil fertility, reduced resource-use efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of climate change. Regenerative agricultural practices are gaining attention to restore soil health and build climate-resilient ecosystems. Among these nature-positive solutions, biochar application and the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation technique show promise in addressing various agricultural challenges.
Mr. Subesh Dhakal, a PhD Scholar in the Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agricultural Systems & Engineering (ASE) academic program of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is conducting research under the supervision of Prof. Avishek Datta to investigate the effects of regenerative practices, such as biochar application and AWD irrigation on rice. Prof. Datta and other committee members, Dr. Sushil Kumar Himanshu and Dr. Suriyan Cha-um, have been instrumental in shaping Mr. Dhakal’s research journey, providing him with the support and direction to navigate the complexities of his work effectively. Mr. Dhakal’s study aims to understand how regenerative approaches can enhance sustainability in rice production in
the ASEAN region.
Experiments are currently underway at AIT under both polyhouse and field conditions. Initiated in September 2023, this research indicates that improving soil health and utilizing water efficiently are critical for increasing rice yields and mitigating climate impacts. Recently, Mr. Dhakal received the best poster presentation awards for showcasing his work at conferences on sustainability and regenerative agriculture. He also presented his findings at the “3rd
International Conference on Rice for the Future,” held on November 14–15, 2024, in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
In conducting these experiments, he is supported by Dr. Hayat Ullah, Dr. Sheikh Faruk Ahmed, Ms. Phantipa Plangklang, Ms. Aliza Adhikari, Dr. Deepranjan Sarkar, Mr. Shubham Anil Gade, Mr. Mallappa J. Madolli, Ms. Sarina Adhikari, as well as master’s students Mr. Mriganka Kaustab Talukdar, Mr. Aadarsha Rijal, and Mr. Haji Muhammad.
“Our efforts could lead toward resilient farming practices in rice production that not only boost productivity but also safeguard our environment,” says Mr. Dhakal, emphasizing the importance of this study. Looking ahead, he plans to investigate the long-term effects of these regenerative practices on rice cultivation and hopes to collaborate with local farmers to implement these methods throughout the ASEAN region. “This research is just the start; we aim
to encourage a shift toward more sustainable agricultural systems that benefit both farmers and the entire planet,” he adds.
