Despite numerous projects and initiatives on soil carbon building, carbon content on arable plots in Flanders remains stagnant or even decreasing. This is also true for arable land in the LEADER region of Maasland. However, a good carbon content is crucial for healthy soil, stable yields and sustainable farming.
With the project Carbon Guide we want to reverse this trend. Central to this is the development of a digital tool that supports farmers in purposefully managing and increasing the carbon content on their arable land. The Carbon Guide reveals on which plots the greatest gains can be made by engaging in carbon sequestration, and where these efforts will yield the greatest financial returns.
The tool starts from science-based relationships between soil carbon and crop yield. Thus, the Carbon Guide not only shows on which plots carbon accumulation is most interesting, but also through which measures sequestration can be achieved the fastest. The calculation examples in the tool are based on measures recognised within existing carbon markets.
Founded on expertise and practical experience
The feasibility of the project relies on the extensive prior knowledge of the project partners. The Soil Science Service of Belgium (BDB) was previously involved in the development of the carbon simulator and CSLIM, models that can calculate carbon dynamics as a function of crop rotation and fertiliser regime. In addition, BDB has extensive experience in estimating crop yields in relation to carbon content.
In 2022, BDB completed the demonstration project on the 4J principle in maize (Right crop, right place, right technique, right yield). This involved calculating the effect on carbon content, nitrogen dynamics and crop production for various crop rotations - as an alternative to monoculture maize. The calculation rules from that project also form the basis for the Carbon Guide.
The Agricultural Research and Training Centre (PVL) brings practical knowledge around carbon accumulation and has a strong network of vegetable, potato and maize growers in the region. This network will be further expanded within the project to enable broad rollout.
Why this project
According to the latest figures from the Soil Fertility Survey (2024) of the Bodemkundige Dienst van België, carbon content is below the target zone in more than half of the plots in Dilsen-Stokkem, Kinrooi, Lanaken, Maaseik and Maasmechelen. This underlines the need for targeted support for farmers in this region.
However, higher carbon content offers several advantages. It improves soil structure and stimulates the mineralisation of organic matter, releasing more mineral nitrogen. This can reduce the need for chemical nitrogen fertilisers. Moreover, an increase in carbon content translates into higher and more stable crop yields over time.
The Carbon Guide helps farmers make more targeted investments in carbon accumulation and better assess the return on their efforts. In addition to yield increases, farmers can also valorise their efforts through participation in carbon markets such as Claire, Soil Capital and Farmers for Climate. These initiatives trade captured carbon to companies wishing to offset their emissions, providing an additional financial incentive.
Three phases
The project proceeds in three distinct phases:
- Development of the Carbon Dial (BDB)
The Soil Science Service of Belgium is developing a digital tool that calculates the financial added value of carbon accumulation per plot. - Test and demonstration at farmers (PVL)
A working group of about a dozen interested farmers is testing the tool in practice. Carbon content on selected plots is monitored, and results are fed back in the form of concrete advice. - Wide distribution
After one year, the Carbon Guide should be available for use within the working group. After two years, the tool will be rolled out to the wider sector, with a specific focus on vegetable, potato and maize growers. Dissemination will be done through trial field visits, study evenings, press articles and publications on websites.
An investment in the future
Unlike previous projects that focused on carbon accounting at farm level, the Carbon Guide visually shows at plot level where the greatest additional yield can be realised. Moreover, the tool offers insight into measures recognised within carbon markets, providing additional motivation to get actively involved.
The rise in soil carbon is a long-term process. The impact is felt not only today, but also by the next generation of farmers. The Carbon Guide gives farmers in Maasland a concrete, substantiated and financially relevant tool to build a resilient and carbon-rich soil in a targeted way.
