Carbon sequestration agriculture is becoming a central part of climate-smart farming, linking soil management with global carbon balance and sustainable food production. Soils hold more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined, which makes them one of the most effective natural tools for combating climate change. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and store it in their tissues. When plant residues and roots decompose, part of this carbon is transferred to the soil and converted into soil organic carbon (SOC). This process improves soil fertility, enhances water retention, and builds resilience to drought and erosion (Nazir et al., 2024; Villat et al., 2024).
Unlike industrial carbon capture systems, carbon sequestration agriculture depends on biological and ecological processes. It relies on practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, organic amendments, and diversified crop rotations. These management strategies increase organic matter and enhance soil health, turning farmland from a carbon source into a carbon sink (Munna & Lal, 2025). As global temperatures rise and soil degradation accelerates, integrating carbon-centered soil management is not just beneficial but essential for future food and environmental security.
How Carbon Sequestration Works in Agriculture
In agricultural systems, carbon sequestration begins when plants absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis and transfer some of that carbon into their roots and surrounding soil. Soil microbes break down plant materials and transform them into stable forms of organic matter. Over time, this organic matter becomes protected inside soil aggregates or chemically bonded with minerals, reducing its rate of decomposition (Zhu et al., 2024).
However, decades of intensive tillage and monocropping have released much of this stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Studies show that agricultural soils have lost between 50 and 70 percent of their original carbon content since the beginning of modern cultivation (Kane, 2015). Rebuilding this lost carbon requires sustainable strategies that increase carbon input while reducing carbon losses. Carbon sequestration agriculture achieves this through continuous organic residue return, minimum disturbance, and improved soil structure that supports carbon stability (Hussain, 2021).
Key Practices of Carbon Sequestration Agriculture
1. No-Till and Reduced Tillage
No-till and reduced tillage maintain soil structure and protect organic matter from rapid oxidation. When soil disturbance is minimized, microbial activity stabilizes and more carbon remains trapped inside soil aggregates. Conservation tillage also increases infiltration, reduces erosion, and enhances the bulk density and porosity of the soil (Munna & Lal, 2025). Long-term studies in temperate regions have shown that these systems improve SOC and overall soil quality compared to conventional tillage (Villat et al., 2024).
2. Cover Cropping
Cover crops play a major role in carbon sequestration agriculture. They keep soil covered year-round, reducing erosion and supplying additional biomass that feeds soil microbes. Cover crops improve aggregation, increase soil carbon, and support biodiversity in the soil ecosystem. A global meta-analysis found that cover crops increase SOC by approximately 15 percent compared to bare soil systems (Jian et al., 2020). In temperate zones, legume-based cover crops also fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide high-quality organic matter for carbon stabilization (Munna & Lal, 2025).
3. Organic Amendments and Biochar
Organic amendments such as compost, manure, and biochar are important carbon sources for depleted soils. These materials improve soil fertility, water retention, and porosity while contributing to long-term carbon storage. For instance, acid-modified pineapple crown biochar has been shown to improve the physical properties of saline soils by enhancing water-holding capacity and lowering electrical conductivity, making it a promising tool for both reclamation and carbon storage (Munna et al., 2025). Biochar is particularly effective because its molecular structure allows it to remain stable in soil for hundreds of years.
4. Crop Rotation and Diversification
Crop rotation and diversification increase soil carbon through varied root systems and organic residues. Rotations that include legumes and deep-rooted plants contribute to greater carbon deposition in the subsoil and improve microbial diversity. Continuous monocropping, on the other hand, depletes organic matter and limits carbon storage. Including different crops in a rotation improves soil structure, nutrient cycling, and long-term soil productivity (Acharya et al., 2024).
5. Agroforestry and Integrated Nutrient Management
Agroforestry combines trees, shrubs, and crops to create multiple carbon pools both above and below the ground. Trees store carbon in their biomass, while litterfall and root turnover add organic matter to the soil. Integrated nutrient management that combines organic and inorganic fertilizers maintains soil fertility, promotes microbial growth, and enhances SOC accumulation (Nazir et al., 2024). These systems represent a holistic form of carbon sequestration agriculture that benefits both the environment and the farmer.
Benefits of Carbon Sequestration Agriculture
The advantages of carbon sequestration agriculture extend far beyond carbon capture. Increasing soil organic carbon improves soil aggregation, enhances infiltration, and increases water retention during dry periods. SOC-rich soils have better nutrient availability and require less synthetic fertilizer, reducing both production costs and environmental pollution. Such soils also host a more active microbial community, which promotes nutrient cycling and overall soil vitality (Munna & Lal, 2025).
On a global scale, carbon sequestration on agricultural land has the potential to offset between 5 and 15 percent of annual human-caused CO₂ emissions if widely adopted (Villat et al., 2024). Moreover, these practices support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting sustainable agriculture, climate action, and ecosystem restoration. Therefore, carbon sequestration agriculture offers both environmental protection and economic benefits.
Challenges and Future Perspectives
Despite its promise, the adoption of carbon sequestration agriculture faces several challenges. Measuring soil carbon changes accurately requires long-term monitoring, standard sampling methods, and advanced analytical techniques. Soil type, climate, and land-use history all affect carbon accumulation rates, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all solution (Patil et al., 2025). Farmers may also face financial barriers because the benefits of increased soil carbon are realized slowly over time.
However, technological innovations such as remote sensing and carbon modeling are making verification more accurate and accessible. Global initiatives like the “4 per 1000” program encourage nations to increase soil carbon by 0.4 percent each year to offset greenhouse gas emissions (Hussain, 2021). With proper incentives, farmer education, and policy support, carbon sequestration agriculture could become a major global strategy for climate mitigation and food security.
Conclusion
Carbon sequestration agriculture represents an effective, nature-based solution to climate change and soil degradation. By integrating no-till systems, cover cropping, organic amendments, crop diversification, and agroforestry, farmers can convert agricultural lands into stable carbon sinks. These practices improve soil health, enhance crop yields, and contribute to global carbon reduction targets. As governments and institutions invest in sustainable land management, expanding carbon sequestration agriculture will play a crucial role in achieving a resilient and productive agricultural future.
References
Acharya, P., et al. (2024). Cover crop-mediated soil carbon storage and soil health in semi-arid systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 362, 109482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2023.109482
Hussain, S. (2021). Carbon sequestration to avoid soil degradation. Plants, 10(10), 2001. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102001
Jian, J., et al. (2020). A meta-analysis of global cropland soil carbon changes with cover crops. Geoderma, 376, 114583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114583
Munna, M. N. H., & Lal, R. (2025). Impacts of cover cropping and organic amendments on soil physical quality under temperate climate. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 11(1), 2467452. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2025.2467452
Munna, M. N. H., Tanu, F. Z., Mia, S., Shapna, N. A., Hakim, A., & Lal, R. (2025). Reclaiming saline soil by using acid-modified pineapple biochar. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 71(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2025.2579235
Nazir, M. J., et al. (2024). Harnessing soil carbon sequestration to address climate change. Soil & Tillage Research, 250, 105657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2023.105657
Villat, J., et al. (2024). Quantifying soil carbon sequestration from regenerative farming practices. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, 1234108. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1234108