CARBON FARMING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Carbon farming, a practice harnessing carbon sequestration in soils through agricultural techniques, as a potential solution to combat climate change.

Carbon Farming

• About: It is a system of agricultural management that helps the land store more carbon and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that it releases into the atmosphere.
• Also known as: Carbon sequestration
• Focus: It focuses on restoring ecosystem health through sustainable agricultural practices.
• Carbon farming enhances agricultural productivity by optimizing soil health and fertility.
• It plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Methods of Carbon Farming: Rotational Grazing, Agroforestry, Conservation Agriculture,.
  Integrated Nutrient Management and Agro-ecology.

Carbon Farming Schemes

• Carbon Trading: It has gained significance globally, notably in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
• Carbon Markets: Exemplified by initiatives like the Chicago Climate Exchange and Australia's Carbon Farming Initiative, incentivize carbon mitigation in agriculture.
• Global Initiatives: Projects like Kenya’s Agricultural Carbon Project, supported by the World Bank, underscore carbon farming's potential in developing countries for climate mitigation, adaptation, and food security.

Opportunities in India

• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Climate-resilient and emission-reducing agricultural practices present adaptation opportunities crucial for India amidst intensifying climate change.
• Viability of Organic Farming: Grassroots initiatives and agrarian research showcase the viability of organic farming for carbon sequestration, potentially generating substantial economic value.
• Geographical Suitability: Regions like the Indo-Gangetic plains are well-suited for carbon farming, while mountainous and coastal areas face challenges due to terrain and salinization.