CARBON FARMING

• Carbon, ubiquitous in living organisms and minerals, forms the bedrock of Earth's ecosystems. It intricately weaves through vital processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and the carbon cycle.
• In parallel, farming, the art of land cultivation and livestock management, serves as humanity's cornerstone for sustenance, yielding food, fibre, and fuel resources.
• The fusion of these two realms births carbon farming, a methodology intertwining regenerative agricultural practices with ecological stewardship.
• Its essence lies in nurturing ecosystem vitality, bolstering agricultural productivity, and fortifying soil health.
• Notably, carbon farming emerges as a potent ally against climate change by amplifying carbon storage in agricultural landscapes and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Adaptable across diverse agro-climatic zones, it addresses soil degradation and water scarcity and confronts the challenges posed by climate variability, offering a holistic solution for sustainable agriculture.

Carbon farming offers multifaceted benefits through various techniques, making it a powerful tool in combating climate change and enhancing agricultural sustainability.

• Rotational Grazing simple practice helps optimise pasture health and carbon sequestration by strategically rotating livestock through different grazing areas.
• Practices like silvopasture and alley cropping not only diversify farm income but also sequester carbon in trees and shrubs, contributing to long-term carbon storage.
• Techniques such as zero tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, and crop residue management minimize soil disturbance, enhance organic content, and mitigate the impacts of intensive agricultural activities.
• By utilizing organic fertilizers and compost, this approach promotes soil fertility while reducing emissions, contributing to a healthier agricultural ecosystem.
• Crop diversification and intercropping enhance ecosystem resilience, providing long-term benefits for both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
• Strategies like rotational grazing, optimizing feed quality, and managing animal waste not only reduce methane emissions but also increase carbon storage in pasture lands, making livestock farming more sustainable overall.

Despite its potential benefits, carbon farming faces several challenges that can hinder its effectiveness and widespread adoption.

• Effectiveness varies based on factors such as geographical location, soil type, crop selection, water availability, biodiversity, and farm size. Regions with long growing seasons and sufficient rainfall are better suited for carbon farming, while hot and dry areas with limited water availability pose significant challenges.
• In areas with limited water resources, such as arid regions, the growth of plants may be restricted, hindering carbon sequestration through photosynthesis. Practices like cover cropping, which require additional water, may not be viable in such environments.
• Choosing suitable plant species is crucial, as not all plants sequester carbon equally effectively. Fast-growing trees and deep-rooted perennial grasses are better at carbon storage, but may not thrive in arid environments.
• The adoption of carbon farming practices may require financial assistance for farmers, particularly in developing countries where small-scale farmers may lack the resources to invest in sustainable land management practices.
• Effective implementation of carbon farming relies on supportive policies and community engagement to overcome barriers and promote adoption at scale.

Carbon farming initiatives have gained prominence worldwide, with various schemes aiming to incentivize carbon mitigation activities in agriculture and address climate change challenges.

• Countries like the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have established voluntary carbon markets, such as the Chicago Climate Exchange and the Carbon Farming Initiative in Australia. These markets encourage practices ranging from no-till farming to reforestation and pollution reduction.
• Kenya’s Agricultural Carbon Project Supported by the World Bank, this initiative showcases carbon farming's potential to address climate mitigation, adaptation, and food security challenges in economically developing countries.
• '4 per 1000' Initiative Launched during the COP21 climate talks in 2015 in Paris, this initiative emphasizes the role of carbon sinks in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. As the oceans and atmosphere near saturation points with carbon, managing the remaining carbon budget wisely becomes imperative.

As climate change escalates, India recognizes the pivotal role of agriculture in adopting climate-resilient and emission-reducing practices. The country's vast agricultural landscape presents ample opportunities for implementing carbon farming strategies.

• Grassroots initiatives and agricultural research showcase the potential of organic farming to sequester carbon. Agroecological practices hold promise, with estimates suggesting they could generate $63 billion in value from around 170 million hectares of arable land. This includes potential annual payments of ₹5,000-6,000 per acre for farmers adopting sustainable practices.
• Regions like the Indo-Gangetic plains and the Deccan Plateau are well-suited for carbon farming adoption. However, challenges arise in mountainous terrain and coastal areas prone to salinization and resource limitations.
• Carbon credit systems can incentivize farmers by providing additional income for environmental services. Studies indicate that agricultural soils in India can absorb billions of tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, contributing significantly to climate stabilization and food security.
• Scaling up carbon farming in India necessitates addressing challenges such as limited awareness, inadequate policy support, technological barriers, and the need for an enabling adoption environment. Despite these hurdles, promoting carbon farming aligns with India's interests in mitigating climate change, improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and creating economic opportunities for farmers.