Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils: Practices and policies

Abstract

Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate climate change while enhancing soil health and agricultural productivity. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the practices and policies that promote soil carbon sequestration, focusing on their potential to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels and contribute to sustainable agriculture. The paper covers key practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, agroforestry, organic amendments, and crop rotation, as well as the role of policy frameworks in incentivizing carbon sequestration. Recent studies and case studies are analyzed to highlight the effectiveness of these practices and policies. The paper concludes with recommendations for scaling up soil carbon sequestration efforts and integrating them into global climate mitigation strategies.