Plan and Policies for Soil Organic Carbon Management Under Agroforestry System

Abstract

Soil degradation is a major issue through various countries across the globe. During the present century, it was observed that land degradation has become a predominant phenomenon among different environmental perturbation. As per one estimate, 3 billion people (1/3) across the globe are suffering crisis situation in terms of land degradation. Anthropogenic process such as deforestation and land-use changes causes 30% reduction in C (carbon) stock. Further, faulty and unscientific agricultural practices cause more than 50% depletion of soil organic C. This in turn causes reduction of 5–7 tons C/hectare. Therefore, proper soil management along with maintenance of soil C pool becomes important from the context of arresting further soil degradation. In this connection, 122 countries across the globe have already initiated land restoration and rehabilitation programs. Considering this fact sustainable land-use practices in the form of agroforestry and ecofriendly farming become essential component for well-being of human civilization. Agroforestry has huge potential to provide 50% demand of fuelwood, 60% of small timber, 75% of plywood, 60% of paper pulp raw material, and up to 10% green fodder requirement with a ground coverage of 29.38 million hectare (8.94% of country’s area). This in turn contributes up to 38% of C sink to the total sink of forest and other vegetation of the country. Proper policy and planning are essential requirement to properly manage soil C and maintain the long-term soil sustainability. Key policy issues include 4p1000; Bonn Challenge has been initiated throughout the world for proper management of soil health and sustainability. For C management and maintenance of soil fertility practices such land degradation neutrality, sustainable land management is the effective measure. In this perspective, key policy agenda includes Agenda 2030 Target 15.3 on Land Degradation Neutrality which has already been initiated for public awareness regarding soil resources. Further, more than 60 countries are working in the field of integrated soil fertility management for soil organic C buildup through agroforestry. Agroforestry implementation through National Agroforestry Policy 2014 is a masterstroke for India to implement agroforestry practices under diverse land use prioritizing 20 multipurpose tree species under policy perspective. Overall, suitable policy and planning on case-to-case basis are required to formulate to achieve the 2030 goal of sustainable development. © The Editor(s)(if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.