Carbon Farming

Carbon is essential for life on Earth. One carbon atom combines with two oxygen atoms to form a chemical compound called carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas and is commonly abbreviated as CO₂. Carbon dioxide is produced when we burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. It is also produced by forest fires and volcanic eruptions. All aerobic organisms produce carbon dioxide when they oxidize carbohydrates, fatty acids, and proteins in the mitochondria of cells. Respiration, the process by which organisms release energy from food, emits carbon dioxide. An increase in CO₂ concentrations in our atmosphere is causing average global temperatures to rise, which alters other aspects of Earth's climate. Carbon farming is a new form of agriculture to sequester carbon in the soil. An important contribution by farmers could be to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it in the soil through "carbon farming".

Carbon Farming

Carbon farming refers to a set of agricultural practices designed to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. Carbon farming involves agricultural practices that manage carbon pools, flows, and GHG fluxes at farm level to mitigate climate change. This includes managing land, livestock, materials, biomass, and GHG like CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O. The primary goal of carbon farming is to mitigate climate change by enhancing carbon capture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through strategic land management, farmers can play a crucial role in offsetting carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.

Benefits of Carbon Farming

  i. Climate change mitigation: The primary benefit is the significant contribution to mitigating climate change. Carbon farming helps offset carbon emissions, acting as a natural solution to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

ii.  Improved soil fertility: The focus on soil health leads to increased fertility and productivity. Healthy soils contribute to better crop yields, reduced erosion, and enhanced resilience to climate-related challenges.

iii. Biodiversity enhancement: Carbon farming practices support biodiversity by creating habitats for diverse plant and animal species. This contributes to ecological balance and resilience in the face of environmental changes.

iv. Economic opportunities: Farmers engaged in carbon farming may access new revenue streams through carbon offset programs. These initiatives incentivize sustainable practices and provide financial benefits to farmers.

Principles of carbon farming

Gabe Brown, the author of Dirt to Soil, advocates for regenerative agriculture, which can help sequester carbon and reverse global warming. Some of his principles include: 

i. Maximize biodiversity: This means biodiversity in the soil as well as on the soil surface: earthworms, bees, etc.

ii. Permanent ground cover: The fields are cultivated with crops all year round through under sowing and catch crops. This supports humus build-up and prevents soil erosion.

iii. Minimizing soil disturbance and synthetics: This refers to the use of, for example, a plough as well as fertilizer and crop protection.

iv. Integrating animals: Animals move nutrients, feed the soil with manure and microbes or pollinate crops. Animals can therefore partially replace the work of machines. 

v. Keeping living roots in the soil: Is the key to humus build-up, because the converted solar energy enters the soil through the root excretions. 

Carbon Farming Practices

Carbon farming encompasses a variety of practices aimed at improving carbon sequestration in the soil. Some of major carbon farming practices are as described below:

i.   Tillage Practices:  Tillage practices are one of the promising techniques of carbon farming. Conservation tillage and no-tillage minimise soil disturbance and help preserve soil organic carbon levels. The retention of crop residues is another critical aspect of minimum tillage systems that promotes soil carbon accumulation. The use of conservation tillage with the integration of cover crops can improve the carbon sequestration. Conservation tillage promotes higher soil organic carbon levels.

   ii.      Cover Crops:  Cover crops are increasingly recognised as a leading component of carbon farming practices, contributing to soil carbon sequestration and improving ecosystem services. Cover crops can mitigate GHG emissions associated with conventional agricultural practices.

 iii.      Intercrops: Intercropping systems can improve soil structure and stability. Intercropping has been associated with improved nutrient cycling and enhanced soil health.

 iv. Biogas and Biomethane:  Biogas and biomethane play a vital role in carbon sequestration. Integrating biogas production improves carbon stocks in soils.

   v.   Perennial Plants:  The carbon sequestration potential of perennial crops is significant due to deeper root systems. Perennial crops can sequester substantial amounts of carbon in above-ground biomass and soil. The ability of perennial plants to maintain soil cover year-round reduces soil erosion, enhancing their role in carbon farming. Perennial systems support nitrogen-fixing plants, contributing to healthier soil ecosystems and increased carbon sequestration.

 vi. Agro-forestry:  Agro-forestry systems enhance carbon storage and improve soil quality and biodiversity. Enabling trees into farming systems creates a multi-layered environment that supports greater biomass accumulation than monoculture systems, leading to increased carbon sequestration.

vii.      Organic fertilisation and biochar:  Biochar and organic fertilisation are increasingly recognised as effective carbon farming practices.

viii.  Crop diversity and rotation: Crop diversity and rotation can significantly influence soil organic carbon levels. Covering crops in rotation systems can enhance soil organic carbon stocks by replacing fallow periods with active carbon assimilation periods. This practice increases carbon storage and improves cropland soils’ net ecosystem carbon balance.

  ix.     Grazing management:  Grazing management practices significantly influence soil organic carbon levels in grasslands. Well-managed grasslands can substantially affect carbon sequestration, while prolonged overgrazing results in high soil organic carbon losses.