Biochar use as soil amendment on dry land by farmers in district of Blitar, Indonesia

Dry land in Indonesia is larger than its wetland, with yield problem and low fertility. Therefore it is necessary to find innovation to manage it. Biochar as soil amendment is an innovation that could help farmers in dry land to increase its productivity. This research aimed to describe the response and participation of farmers on biochar production and application as soil amendment on dry land management. This research is used survey and experimental method.: Location of the research is Blitar district, Indonesia which has a vast of dry land. The method of determining on location and sample was undertaken purposively, and descriptively on analytical method.

The results showed that farmers are able and willing to produce biochar independently and applying biochar on dry land owned as sustainable soil amendment. Utilization of biochar as a soil amendment on dryland management in Blitar, Indonesia has been received by farmers as an innovation that could help farmers overcome the problems of low productivity of dry land and can improve fertilizer efficiency. The positive response and active participation of farmers increase in the application of biochar on dry land and farming of various commodities in annual cropping patterns and utilization of their yards. Socialization and assistance needed for the use of biochar is more intensive and sustainable for farmers to produce and utilize biochar, so innovations and technologies that have been found to be beneficial to the welfare of farmers, solve environmental problems and create a multiplier effect on the productivity of dryland farming.