Conservation Agriculture as a Driving Force to Accumulate Carbon in Soils: An Analysis of RDP in Lombardy

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission credits and C-sequestration are measures which are largely applied to limit the rising concentration of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere. In this context an increasing role is played by conservation agriculture (CA). The paper aims to present the policies pursued in Lombardy and to calculate, with the soil CN-cycle model ARMOSA, the potential of C-storage in soils with the adoption of CA measures for 20 years. The analysis is performed on 600 farms (24550 hectares) and it is implemented here taking into account the economic incentive provided by the 2007-2013 RDP (Rural Development Program) of Lombardy. The results show that C-accumulation in soils by CA can contribute to achieve Kyoto targets, but it needs a significant economic effort. Suggestions for policy-makers are here briefly outlined in relation to similar policies applied at the international level.