This paper examines the economic viability of biochar application in crop production, focusing on varying application rates of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 tons per hectare. Biochar, produced through biomass pyrolysis, has shown promise in improving crop yields and contributing to environmental sustainability. The biochar production financial metrics were analyzed, and it shows that the economic parameters such as Operational Expenditure (OPEX) amounting to $2339.40, feedstock cost of $2420.25, and transport cost of $293.71. The total biochar production cost was $232.87 per ton, with labour costs comprising 27.07 % of the overall production and application expenses. The analysis revealed that the maximum annual revenue from crop production (peas in the rabi season and maize in the kharif season) reached $525.88 per hectare at a biochar application rate of 12 tons/ha. Carbon sequestration revenue was estimated at $186.6 per ton of biochar. Economic indicators revealed that the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was the highest at 1.476, with an 8 ton/ha biochar application rate. At the same time, the net present worth (NPW) and internal rate of return (IRR) also maximized at this rate, reaching $932.85 and 85.71 %, respectively. Conversely, higher biochar application rates of 24 and 28 tons/ha resulted in negative NPW and IRR values and BCR values below 1, indicating economic infeasibility at these levels. These findings highlight the economic viability and potential agronomic benefits of biochar application at optimal rates of 8 tons/ha for promoting sustainable crop production.

中文翻译：

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评估生物炭在可持续作物生产中的农艺和经济可行性


本文探讨了生物炭在作物生产中应用的经济可行性，重点关注每公顷 0、4、8、12、16、20、24 和 28 吨的不同施用量。通过生物质热解生产的生物炭在提高农作物产量和促进环境可持续性方面表现出了良好的前景。对生物炭生产财务指标进行了分析，结果显示运营支出 (OPEX) 等经济参数为 2339.40 美元，原料成本为 2420.25 美元，运输成本为 293.71 美元。生物炭总生产成本为每吨232.87美元，其中劳动力成本占总生产和应用费用的27.07%。分析显示，生物炭施用量为 12 吨/公顷时，作物生产（拉比季节的豌豆和哈里夫季节的玉米）的最大年收入达到每公顷 525.88 美元。每吨生物炭的碳封存收入估计为 186.6 美元。经济指标显示，生物炭施用量为8吨/公顷时，效益成本比（BCR）最高，为1.476。与此同时，净现值（NPW）和内部收益率（IRR）也以此速度最大化，分别达到932.85美元和85.71%。相反，较高的生物炭施用率（24 吨/公顷和 28 吨/公顷）导致 NPW 和 IRR 值为负，且 BCR 值低于 1，表明在这些水平下经济不可行。这些发现强调了以 8 吨/公顷的最佳用量施用生物炭对于促进可持续作物生产的经济可行性和潜在农艺效益。