Carbon Farming: A Promising Approach to Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in India
Jambamma *
Agriculture College, Aswaraopet-507301, PJTSAU-Hydrabad, India.
Kanaka, S.
TNIAMP, MDPU, Chennai, India.
Yogameenakshi, P.
TNAU-Rice Research Station, Tirur, India.
Agila, R.
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tirur, India.
Sridhar, P.
TNAU Specialist, TN-IAM Project, Chennai, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This article addresses India's role in the reduction of GHG emissions, the impact of renewable energy and the application of solar energy. In response to the climatic challenges, India is meticulously stepping towards offsetting or the onset of carbon farming such as organic cultivation and solar energy interventions. Offset carbon farming area of 5. 387 Mha organic farming could sequester carbon annually of 6.567 mt, simultaneously; it has the advantage of reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer application doses ranging from a minimum of 0.27 mt and a maximum of 1.08 mt per hectare. Furthermore, solar energy can indirectly be used as SWH suitable for average family households contributing carbon credits of 771 kg-824 kg in addition to saving an annual electricity burden of around 1365 kWh to 1459 kWh and directly utilized for solar PV electricity generation of 1 MW will offset approximately 730 tons of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to 33, 183 carbon-absorbing trees (22 kg of CO2 absorbed/ tree/year). Carbon farming has challenges encompassing economic, technological, policy, and knowledge-based barriers that require innovative solutions and concerted stakeholder efforts.
Keywords: Carbon farming, carbon sequestration, flat plate collector, GHG emission, G-20, organic farming, photovoltaic cell, solar panel