What is conservation agriculture and carbon agriculture

Conservation agriculture and carbon agriculture are approaches to agricultural management that seek to improve the sustainability and efficiency of natural resources, particularly soil and water, in addition to contributing to the mitigation of climate change.

Conservation agriculture

Conservation agriculture focuses on three fundamental principles:

1. Minimum soil disturbance:

   • Conventional tillage is reduced or eliminated to reduce erosion and soil loss. This may include direct planting practices or minimal tillage.

2. Permanent soil coverage:

   • Using vegetable crops or coverage, erosion floor is protected and humidity is preserved.

3. Crop rotation:

   • Alternating different types of crops improves biodiversity, interrupts pest and disease cycles and optimizes soil nutrients.

This approach not only seeks to increase agricultural productivity, but also to protect and improve the most valuable resource for agriculture: soil.

Carbon agriculture

Carbon agriculture, on the other hand, refers to agricultural practices aimed at improving carbon dioxide capture and storage (CO2) on the ground. This is known as carbon kidnapping and is a key tool to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, a significant greenhouse gas. Carbon agriculture practices may include:

1. Agricultural waste management:

   • Leave crop residues in the field after harvesting to decompose and become organic soil.

2. Use of coverage crops:

   • Plant crops that are not harvested but enrich the organic carbon of the soil.

3. Agroforestry:

   • Integrate trees into agricultural systems to increase air and underground biomass that captures carbon.

4. Rotational grazing:

   • Manage cattle so that you paste in different areas, allowing the vegetation to recover and capture more carbon on the ground.

Both approaches, conservation agriculture and carbon agriculture are interrelated and complementary. Both seek to create more resilient agricultural systems, improve soil quality and contribute to the fight against climate change. These practices are not only beneficial to the environment but can also improve the long -term profitability of farms by reducing costs and improving soil health.