Assessing the Role of Regenerative Practices in Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration in Farmlands: A Review
Akash Shukla *
Forest Research Institute Dehradun, India.
Nikita Rai
Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, India.
Rashmi Mohapatra
Centre for Indigenous Knowledge on Herbal Medicines and Therapeutics, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751024, India.
Vangapandu Thriveni
Department of Horticulture, M S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha - 761211, India.
Kamlesh Kumar Yadav
Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering IFTM University Moradabad Uttar Pradesh-244102, India.
Lalit Upadhyay
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, India.
Souvik Ghosh
Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar - 736165, West Bengal, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soil carbon sequestration is a pivotal process in mitigating atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and restoring ecosystem functionality in agricultural landscapes. Regenerative agriculture, a holistic land management approach, offers a scientifically validated framework to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) through biologically driven practices. Synthesises global and regional evidence on the effectiveness of regenerative practices such as cover cropping, conservation tillage, compost application, agroforestry, rotational grazing, and polyculture systems in augmenting SOC levels across various agroecological zones. The role of regenerative practices in enhancing soil carbon sequestration in agricultural lands, with a focus on empirical evidence, quantitative assessments, and co-benefits for sustainability. It synthesises findings from long-term trials, meta-analyses, and regional studies, particularly from tropical and subtropical agroecological zones. Empirical studies and meta-analyses indicate SOC accrual rates ranging from 0.2 to 2.5 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ under these practices, contingent on soil type, climate, and management intensity. In parallel, regenerative systems offer synergistic co-benefits including enhanced soil fertility, improved microbial diversity, increased water retention, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Region-specific studies, including field trials and community-scale interventions, confirm the scalability and relevance of such approaches under tropical and subtropical conditions. Despite proven environmental and agronomic benefits, widespread implementation is constrained by socio-economic, institutional, and technical barriers, such as land tenure insecurity, limited knowledge dissemination, and lack of robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems. The integration of remote sensing, digital soil mapping, and process-based carbon models (e.g., RothC, CENTURY) is advancing the precision and scalability of SOC assessments. Policy interventions through government schemes, international frameworks, and voluntary carbon markets are emerging to support transition pathways. Identifies future research priorities focused on multiscale modelling, farmer-led innovation, socio-economic impact assessment, and the development of climate-smart regenerative packages. By aligning science, policy, and practice, regenerative agriculture can serve as a cornerstone for sustainable land use and climate resilience.
Keywords: Soil carbon sequestration, regenerative agriculture, organic matter, agroecology, carbon modelling