07 May Carbon Farming

THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF “Carbon Farming”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “ ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.

Why in the News?

Recently, carbon trading within the agricultural domain has gained significance globally, with particular prominence observed in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. These countries have witnessed the emergence of voluntary carbon markets, indicating a growing trend towards engaging in carbon trading activities within the agricultural sector.

About Carbon Farming

• Carbon farming refers to the adoption of agricultural methods aimed at storing carbon in the soil, consequently mitigating the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, a significant driver of climate change. 
• This strategy employs a range of techniques, including the use of carbon-rich fertilizers, minimal or no-tillage practices, the cultivation of cover crops, diversified crop rotations, agroforestry, and other soil management approaches, all geared towards augmenting carbon sequestration in agricultural ecosystems.

Methods Employed for Carbon Farming

• Crop diversification: Rotating crops and diversifying crop species can improve soil health and increase carbon sequestration. Different crops have varying root structures and residue characteristics, which contribute to soil organic matter accumulation and carbon storage. Crop rotation also helps break pest and disease cycles, reducing the need for chemical inputs.
• Livestock management: Sustainable livestock management practices, such as rotational grazing, silvopasture, and managed intensive grazing, can enhance carbon sequestration in grasslands and pasturelands. These practices promote grass growth, root development, and soil carbon storage while improving forage quality and livestock productivity.
• Biochar application: Biochar, a form of charcoal produced from biomass, can be applied to soil as a soil amendment. Biochar enhances soil fertility, water retention, and microbial activity, leading to increased carbon sequestration.
• No or low Soil Tillage: Traditionally, tillage serves to loosen soil, improve aeration, and eradicate early-stage weeds. Nevertheless, tillage accelerates carbon mineralization, resulting in the release of CO2 from the soil. Minimising soil disturbance emerges as an effective strategy for safeguarding soil organic matter.
• Agroforestry: Agroforestry involves integrating trees into agricultural systems. Trees not only absorb CO2 from the atmosphere but also store carbon in their biomass, roots, and soil. Agroforestry systems can enhance carbon sequestration while providing additional benefits such as improved soil health, biodiversity, and water retention.

Importance of Carbon Farming

• Carbon farming is instrumental in combating climate change through the absorption of carbon from the atmosphere into soil and vegetation, thereby curbing greenhouse gas emissions and bolstering carbon storage in agricultural areas. 
• Carbon farming promotes soil vitality, biodiversity, and the durability of ecosystems. 
• Carbon farming improves agricultural output, soil richness, and the ability to retain water. It advocates for regenerative methods that diminish reliance on chemical substances, boost crop production, and encourage the buildup of organic matter in the soil.
• Carbon farming aids in food security by enabling farmers to embrace sustainable land management methods, which not only address climate change but also secure the long-term viability of agriculture.
• Carbon farming provides financial prospects for farmers through avenues like carbon credits, rewards, and engagement in carbon markets. By storing carbon in the soil, farmers can earn extra revenue, enhance farm profitability, and play a role in fostering a more sustainable agricultural industry.

Challenges associated with Carbon Farming

• • In Hot and Dry regions: Carbon farming may present difficulties in regions characterised by high temperatures and low precipitation, where water resources are scarce and primarily allocated for essential purposes such as drinking and sanitation. Insufficient water availability can impede plant growth, limiting the capacity for carbon sequestration through photosynthesis. 
  • Lack of financial resources: The implementation of carbon farming techniques may necessitate financial support for farmers to offset the expenses associated with their adoption. Particularly in developing nations such as India, small-scale farmers might encounter challenges in accessing the resources required to engage in sustainable land management practices and environmental initiatives.
  • Measurement difficulties: Assessing alterations in soil carbon levels is a complex and expensive task, posing difficulties in confirming the efficiency of carbon farming methods.
  • Economic and social challenges: Carbon farming encounters economic and social obstacles, such as the requirement for substantial investment in infrastructure and the possibility of unequal distribution of advantages among farmers and communities.
  • Integrity of Carbon Markets: Soil carbon sequestration runs the risk of being counted multiple times, resulting in potential inaccuracies in accounting and compromising the integrity of carbon markets. 

Global Carbon Farming Practices

• The Agricultural Carbon Project in Kenya, backed by the World Bank, underscores the capacity of carbon farming to tackle climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as food security issues, particularly in economically developing nations.
• France introduced the 4 per 1000 Initiative in 2015 at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This initiative introduces a novel approach to combating climate change by advocating for an annual rise in soil organic carbon. 
• The European Parliament launched the Carbon Farming – Making Agriculture Fit for 2023 initiative.

Opportunities For India

• Abundant agricultural area: Areas abundant in agricultural land, like the Indo-Gangetic plains and the Deccan Plateau, are highly conducive to embracing carbon farming practices.
• Additional earnings to Farmers: Carbon credit systems have the potential to motivate farmers by offering supplementary earnings through environmental services.
• Food security: Encouraging farmers via carbon credit systems, India can address climate change while simultaneously bolstering food security, enhancing soil health, and generating economic prospects for farmers.

Government Policies and Initiatives

• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): With the goal of establishing 10,000 FPOs by FY2027, the Indian government aims to empower smallholder and marginal farmers to benefit from economies of scale. Support schemes and tax incentives are provided to promote sustainable agricultural practices, including carbon farming.
• Carbon Market Development: India is in the process of developing a carbon market that values greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative creates opportunities for farmers to engage in carbon trading and earn revenue from carbon credits.
• Green Credit Scheme: The Indian government has initiated a Green Credit Scheme to bolster sustainable practices, including those in agriculture. This scheme incentivises farmers to embrace climate mitigation measures and earn additional income through carbon credits.
• Research and Development Support: Encouraging a research-oriented approach to address challenges in carbon farming, develop scalable technological solutions for measurement, reporting, and verification, and showcase best practices to illustrate the effectiveness of carbon credits in agriculture.

Way Forward

• Awareness and Capacity Building: Enhancing farmers’ understanding of the advantages of carbon farming, offering instruction in sustainable agricultural methods, and fostering a conducive environment for adoption to encourage widespread utilisation of carbon farming techniques.
• Scaling Up: Expanding the implementation of carbon farming practices nationwide by addressing challenges such as limited awareness, insufficient policy backing, technological hurdles, and fostering a supportive adoption environment.
• Diversification of Carbon Capture Methods: Apart from afforestation, India should investigate and advocate for alternative carbon sequestration techniques like blue carbon sinks, algae-bacteria sequestration, and climate-smart agricultural practices to augment biological carbon capture and sequestration endeavors.

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Prelims Based Question

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Carbon farming:

1. Regions with extensive agricultural land are well suited for Carbon Farming.
2. Carbon farming requires high tillage of the soil.

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a).1 Only

(b).2 Only

(c).Both 1 and 2

(d). Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: A

Mains Based Question

Q1. Discuss the significance of carbon farming in mitigating climate change and its role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. How does carbon farming contribute to soil health, biodiversity, and food security?

Vikas Agarwal