A Review on Exploring Carbon Farming as a Strategy to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Carbon farming, an innovative agricultural approach aimed at mitigating climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in soil and biomass, is gaining attention worldwide. This review article provides a comprehensive examination of carbon farming practices, their environmental and socio-economic impacts, challenges, and future potential, with a focus on emerging trends and applications in India. Key carbon farming techniques such as agroforestry, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and biochar application are explored, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing soil carbon content and overall farm ecosystem health. The review delves into the underlying mechanisms of carbon sequestration, including biological processes like photosynthesis and soil organic matter stabilization. The environmental benefits of carbon farming are substantial, notably in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving soil health and biodiversity. The article also explores the significant economic and social benefits, particularly in the context of rural Indian communities, where carbon farming has the potential to enhance sustainable agriculture, increase farmer income through carbon credits, and improve food security. The review identifies several challenges hindering the widespread adoption of carbon farming, including cost factors, resource requirements, and variability in effectiveness due to diverse climatic and soil conditions. Policy and regulatory hurdles, especially in the fragmented landscape of Indian agriculture, are discussed, emphasizing the need for supportive frameworks to promote carbon farming practices. The review paper highlights innovative technological advancements and research frontiers in India, such as satellite monitoring and AI-based soil analysis, and the potential for integrating carbon farming with other sustainable agricultural practices. Looking ahead, the review underscores the critical role of carbon farming in India's future climate strategies, with predictive models suggesting its significant contribution to national carbon reduction targets. The global scalability and impact of Indian carbon farming models are also considered, suggesting their adaptability in similar agro-climatic regions, thereby contributing to global climate mitigation efforts. This review provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in the field of sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, advocating for increased adoption and support of carbon farming practices.