Carbon Farming

Carbon farming, a transformative agricultural approach, aims to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) into soil and plant biomass, mitigating climate change while enhancing agricultural productivity. By implementing practices such as agroforestry, biochar application, cover cropping, and reduced tillage, agricultural landscapes are converted into vital carbon sinks. The importance, significance, and urgency of carbon farming are increasingly recognized globally, particularly in regions like India and Tamil Nadu, where agriculture is central to livelihoods and environmental challenges are pronounced.

Globally, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2023 report, agriculture, forestry, and land-use practices contributed approximately 24% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the 2010-2019 decade, with livestock and chemical fertilizers playing significant roles. Carbon farming counters this by enhancing carbon sequestration. The United Nations’ “4 per 1000” initiative, launched during COP21 in 2015, underscores the potential of a 0.4% annual increase in soil carbon to offset a substantial portion of global emissions. Beyond climate benefits, carbon farming offers economic incentives through carbon credits, potentially generating new revenue streams for farmers by 2030, as carbon markets expand.

The significance of carbon farming lies in its dual role as a climate solution and an agricultural enhancer. Healthy soils enriched with organic carbon support robust microbial activity, reducing the need for chemical inputs and enhancing crop resilience against drought and pests. This regenerative approach aligns with sustainable agriculture principles, ensuring long-term productivity without depleting natural resources. Moreover, carbon farming promotes biodiversity by integrating trees and diverse crops, creating habitats for wildlife and pollinators. Economically, it opens new revenue streams via carbon markets, projected to reach substantial valuations by 2050, according to market research reports.

The urgency of carbon farming stems from the escalating climate crisis. Global temperatures are projected to rise by 2°C by 2100, according to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (2022), if emissions aren’t curbed, triggering catastrophic impacts like extreme weather, sea-level rise, and food insecurity. The IPCC highlights soil carbon sequestration as a cost-effective, scalable solution, potentially offsetting up to 20% of annual CO₂ emissions by mid-century.

India, with its vast agricultural landscape spanning 170 million hectares in 2024, is uniquely positioned to leverage carbon farming. Agriculture supports nearly two-thirds of its population and contributed approximately 30% to its GDP in 2023. Government initiatives like the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), launched in 2010, and the National Agroforestry Policy, enacted in 2014, promote carbon sequestration. Studies from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2022 suggest agroecological practices could sequester 3-8 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent annually by 2050, contributing to India’s net-zero goals.

Tamil Nadu, a key agricultural state, faces soil erosion and water scarcity. Carbon farming practices like agroforestry and bio-char application can restore soil health and conserve water. The popularity of Biosuccess’s B2Agri brand, established in 2002, reflects the region’s acceptance of carbon-focused solutions.