Current Research in Agriculture and Farming (CRAF)
Year : 2026, Volume 7, Issue 2
First page : 47-57
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-7146.278
Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Soils: Opportunities and Challenges
1Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Soil Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat- 785013 2Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Golegaon, VNMKV, Parbhani (MS) 3Assistant Professor (SS&AC), Agricultual Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kovilpatti - 628501, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu 4Ph.D. Research Scholar (Soil Science), Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, 5Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Horticulture (Fruit Science), RCA, MPUAT, Udaipur-313001, Rajasthan 6Subject Matter Specialist, (Horticulture), Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ballia, ANDUAT. Kumarganj Ayodhya U.P. *Corresponding Author E-mail: veenamadhuri027@gmail.com Received: 8.02.2026 | Revised: 23.03.2026 | Accepted: 10.04.2026
ABSTRACT
Agricultural soils represent a critical component of the global carbon cycle, serving as both sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). With the global soil organic carbon (SOC) pool estimated at approximately 1,500 petagrams of carbon (Pg C) in the top one meter, agricultural soils hold immense potential for climate change mitigation through enhanced carbon sequestration. This review paper examines the mechanisms, opportunities, and challenges associated with carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. Key practices including conservation tillage, cover cropping, agroforestry, biochar application, crop rotation, and organic amendments are discussed in terms of their effectiveness in enhancing SOC storage. The global sequestration potential of croplands is estimated between 0.90 and 1.85 Pg C per year through improved management practices. However, significant challenges persist, including the impermanence of stored carbon, difficulties in measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), high implementation costs, farmer adoption barriers, and policy gaps. This review synthesizes current scientific evidence and highlights that an integrated approach combining technological innovation, supportive policies, carbon market development, and farmer education is essential to realize the full potential of soil carbon sequestration as a viable climate change mitigation strategy.
