Carbon Sequestration Potential and Farming Income

― Identifying the Optimal Carbon Farming Practices in Japanese Paddy Fields ―

Abstract

Carbon sequestration through agricultural soil is increasingly promoted as a win-win strategy for mitigating climate change and improving farmers' livelihoods, especially in dry land. A better understanding of agricultural management for paddy fields that can increase both soil carbon and household income is therefore necessary. Using a DeNitrification–DeComposition (DNDC) model, this paper evaluates different farming management practices both by their capacity of carbon sequestration and contribution to household income, thereby to identify the optimal carbon-capturing farming practices for paddy fields. A real-time soil sensor and several comprehensive field surveys were employed for data collection. The farming practices of no-till, reduced tillage combing increased organic fertilizers were identified as cost-effective strategies to increase carbon sequestration in the paddy fields of Matsuyama.