Soil Carbon Sequestration

In News

• Recently the International Crops Research Institute for The Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has published a modelling study.

More about the news

• About the study:
  • The study revealed how the right combination of fertilizer, biochar, and irrigation could potentially increase soil carbon by as much as 300 percent and help mitigate climate change. 
    • The modelling study found that biochar increased carbon value in the soil by 130-300 percent over 30 years with little difference in yield. 
    • It also found that the optimal use of fertilizers increased the carbon and output by up to 30 percent.
• Regions under the study:
  • The modelling study was conducted in five districts of Maharashtra (Jalna, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Amravati, and Yavatmal) and eight districts of Odisha (Angul, Bolangir, Deogarh, Dhenkenal, Kalahandi, Kendujhar, Nuapada, and Sundegarh).
    • They have a predominantly semi-arid climate with annual rainfall between 600 millimetres and 1,100 mm. 
• Crops under the study:
  • Important crops such as cotton, sorghum, soybean, chickpea, pigeon pea and millet were studied in the region. 
• Study of traditional & modern practices:
  • In addition, soil sampling and analysis of long-term experiments on improved versus traditional farmer practices and tillage and residue management practices were also conducted. 
  • The researchers also evaluated improved management practices such as biochar, need-based fertiliser, and irrigation.

Significance

• Contribution of agriculture in the fight against climate crisis:
  • Food systems account for nearly one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 
    • In 2015, food-system emissions amounted to 18 Gt CO2 equivalent per year globally, representing 34 percent of total GHG emissions.
  • An agriculture modelling study can help bolster the fight against climate crisis by helping capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing it in soil.
  • So, Agriculture is said to be one of the major factors affecting climate change. However, it can also be a part of the solution. 
• Contribution of sample study:
  • This soil carbon sequestration over 30 years in the sample 13 districts of Maharashtra & Odisha may significantly contribute to combating global climate change.
• Income to farmers:
  • Carbon sequestering can provide an additional source of income for the farmers.
• Aligned with SDGs:
  • The study is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13: Climate Action) which is on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
• Model for the policymakers:
  • The study may help policymakers, government, and civil society to implement strategies that incentivise farmers to manage their soils in ways to sequester more carbon.

Other Government efforts

• The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill:
  • Apart from the other stated objectives, the bill aims to establish Carbon Markets in India.
    • The Bill empowers the central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme.
    • The proposed amendments aims to encourage the development of a carbon market by laying the framework for issuance of carbon credits against deployment of clean technology. 
    • Investment in clean technology will help corporations in greening their business profiles and the attached carbon credits will provide an additional revenue stream. 
    • Hence, the proposed amendments seek to address a prominent gap in the climate change narrative with respect to involvement of the private sector.

• Panchamrit strategy: 
  • Hon. PM Narendra Modi’s Panchamrit strategy was announced at the COP 26 in Glasgow conference into enhanced climate targets.
    • India will increase its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 gigawatt (GW) by 2030.
    • It will meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.
    • The total projected carbon emissions will be reduced by 1 billion tonnes from now through 2030.
    • The carbon intensity of its economy will be brought down to less than 45 percent.
    • India will achieve its target of net zero by 2070.
  • India also recently updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) on the lines of this strategy.

Source: DTE