Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has constituted a dedicated working group on carbon credits with Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal as the chairperson.
Officials said the group will facilitate teaching, research and extension in the area. The initiative is aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and preparing farmers to benefit from emerging opportunities in the carbon credit ecosystem, they added.
The working group comprises experts from diverse scientific domains of the university. The members include Sandeep Kapur, professor, School of Business Studies, who will serve as member secretary; Ajmer Singh Dhatt, director of research; Makhan Singh Bhullar, director of extension education; Manjeet Singh, dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology; and Rishi Indra Singh Gill, dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry. The group also has expert scientists from various departments of the university. Eminent soil scientist Dinesh Kumar Benbi has been included in the group as well.
As part of the initiative, a training of trainers (ToT) session on carbon farming was organised at Dr Khem Singh Gill Farmers’ Service Centre during a monthly research and extension meeting of the PAU. In the inaugural address, Gosal said the university has been promoting eco-friendly farming practices for the past five decades. He added the adoption of scientific methods can enable farmers to tap into the emerging carbon credit market.
Sandeep Kapur, professor, and Navneet Kaur Gill, assistant professor, School of Business Studies, highlighted the need to prepare farmers for emerging opportunities in carbon markets, increasing global importance of carbon-smart agriculture and carbon credits as an additional source of income for the farmers.
Detailed insights were shared on carbon farming practices, such as residue management, biochar, agroforestry, efficient water management and soil carbon enhancement techniques, during the session. The practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving soil health and farm sustainability. Experts also explained the concept of carbon credits, methods of carbon sequestration, procedures for carbon measurement and verification, and the role of project developers in connecting farmers with carbon trading platforms.
The session saw active participation from university officers, scientists from research stations, experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and officials from Farmer Advisory Service Centres across the state.
The participants engaged in interactive discussions on the practical challenges and future possibilities of implementing carbon farming at the grassroots. The programme concluded with an emphasis on raising awareness among farmers and strengthening institutional efforts to promote sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices across the state.