Willingness of the Farmers to Accept Carbon Farming in Bishnupur District of Manipur

Abstract

Agriculture plays a dual role in the context of climate change, acting both as a contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and as a potential mitigator through the adoption of sustainable practices. Carbon farming, a method of sequestering carbon in soils and vegetation while reducing emissions, presents an opportunity to combat climate change while improving soil health and biodiversity. Recent bibliometric research indicates that carbon farming has attracted rapidly increasing scholarly interest worldwide, with nearly 1,000 articles published across 92 countries and multiple disciplines, reflecting its growing importance in strategies in climate change mitigation. This study examines the willingness of farmers in Bishnupur district of Manipur, to adopt carbon farming practices. Using data collected through interviews with farmers across four villages, namely Thinungei, Kwaksiphai, Sendra and Kumbi. This research explores farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and barriers to participation in carbon farming and carbon credit schemes. The findings indicate that economic incentives, such as subsidies or payments for carbon sequestration, significantly influence farmers' willingness to adopt carbon farming. Government policies, environmental awareness and technical support also play critical roles. However, challenges like limited knowledge, insufficient financial incentives and regulatory constraints impede adoption. The study emphasizes the need for targeted education, supportive policies and farmer-inclusive program designs to overcome these barriers and foster sustainable agriculture. These findings, based on primary data from 120 farmers across four villages, provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers and practitioners aiming to promote low-carbon agricultural practices and address climate change challenges in rural communities.