Soil Carbon and Organic Farming
Read the full reportOrganic farming practices have the potential to significantly boost soil organic carbon levels, with soils under organic management containing 44% more humus than those farmed conventionally. The report estimates that organic farming can sequester around 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare annually, far exceeding conventional methods. Long-term trials and meta-analyses confirm the benefits of organic farming, showing higher soil organic matter and improved soil structure, making it a crucial strategy for climate change mitigation and soil health improvement.
Organic farming practices have the potential to significantly increase soil organic carbon levels, contributing to climate change mitigation.
The report highlights that soils under organic management contain 44% more humus compared to conventionally farmed soils.
The sequestration potential of organic farming is estimated to be around 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year, significantly higher than conventional farming.
The report includes comprehensive data from field studies and meta-analyses demonstrating the benefits of organic farming on soil carbon sequestration and overall soil health.
Evidence from long-term trials shows that organic farming systems have higher soil organic matter content and improved soil structure compared to conventional systems.
Recommendations for policy implementation
- Promote and support the adoption of organic farming practices through policy incentives and subsidies.
- Integrate soil carbon sequestration targets into agricultural policy frameworks to encourage sustainable land management.
- Enhance soil health monitoring and data collection to track the benefits of organic farming practices on soil carbon levels.