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The Efficacy of Organic Farming Practices in Mitigating Climate Change: A Systematic Review
* 1, 2 , 3 , 4
1  Department of Irrigation & Drainage, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Punjab, Pakistan
2  Agricultural Remote Sensing Lab of National Center of GIS and Space Applications (NCGSA-ARSL), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Punjab, Pakistan
3  Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi, Turkey
4  Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Punjab, Pakistan
Academic Editor: Mirza Hasanuzzaman

Abstract:

Organic farming practices are increasingly being recognized for their potential to mitigate climate change by enhancing soil health, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and promoting biodiversity. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of organic farming in climate change mitigation, focusing on carbon sequestration, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission reduction, and soil organic carbon (SOC) enhancement. Organic farming techniques, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic amendments, can sequester up to 0.9 tons of carbon per hectare annually, compared to 0.3 tons in conventional systems. In Ethiopia’s Tigray Province, organic practices have doubled agricultural productivity across over 1 million hectares by improving soil fertility and SOC. Additionally, organic farming reduces GHG emissions by minimizing synthetic fertilizer use and enhancing soil health, resulting in up to a 40% reduction in N₂O emissions. Prohibiting biomass burning further reduces methane (CH₄) emissions, which constitute 12% of agricultural GHG emissions. In Europe, organic farming has led to a 20% reduction in overall agricultural GHG emissions. These findings highlight the practical implications of organic farming. It aids climate change mitigation while enhancing farm resilience and sustainability. Improved soil health increases water retention and nutrient cycling, reduces the need for chemical inputs, and promotes biodiversity. Moreover, organic farming bolsters rural livelihoods by enhancing food security and providing economic benefits through higher market prices for organic products. In conclusion, organic farming practices offer a robust strategy for mitigating climate change. They provide significant benefits in carbon sequestration, GHG emission reduction, and soil health improvement, making them crucial for sustainable agricultural development and addressing global climate challenges.

Keywords: Organic Farming; Carbon Sequestration; Soil Organic Carbon; Crop Rotation; Cover Cropping; Sustainable Agriculture

 
 
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