Establishing a forum dedicated to carbon farming Research and Innovation (R&I) within the CARBONICA platform represents a significant initiative to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community building across various regions and expertise.
This forum is envisioned as an online space that gathers experts from all three Widening Countries (Cyprus, Greece, and North Macedonia) to pool their knowledge, experiences, and insights regarding carbon farming. It transcends geographical boundaries, encouraging participation from local experts and diaspora communities, fostering a diverse and global perspective on the subject.
At its core, this space is inclusive and inviting, welcoming project partners, stakeholders (such as farmers, researchers, policymakers, and environmentalists), and individuals enthusiastic about contributing to climate-resilient agriculture and carbon farming innovations.
Introduction to Carbon Farming practices
It is estimated that EU cropland soils lose about 7.4 million tons of carbon annually. It is important to apply techniques that increase soil organic carbon in the soil and decrease carbon emissions. There are several ways to increase CO2 inputs in the soil:
- Some farmers use cover crops to protect the soil, adding organic matter and increasing carbon capture. Bare soil leads to erosion and carbon loss.
- No tillage or minimum tillage: Tillage breaks up soil and releases carbon. Shifting to no-till or reduced-till ensures carbon remains in the soil, improving its structure.
- Crop rotation and diversified cropping systems: Improve soil structure, balance soil nutrients and contribute to carbon retention. Continuous planting of the same crop increases pest and disease problems.
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