Soils under long-term Conservation Agriculture (CA) management in Cambodia’s upland cropping systems can act as carbon sinks, according to research examining cassava-based production. The 2024 resource assesses the effects of CA on soil organic carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, providing evidence on the relationship between agricultural land management, soil health and climate change mitigation. Its focus on long-term systems offers insights into how changes in cropping practices can influence carbon dynamics over time.

The findings indicate that CA management can increase soil organic carbon storage while contributing to improved soil health. By examining these effects alongside GHG emissions, the research connects farm-level land management with broader objectives related to carbon neutrality, climate mitigation and food security. The resource also considers the relevance of these findings for Cambodia’s national food security strategy and highlights policy support as an important factor for expanding the adoption of CA practices.

Conducted with contributions from CIRAD and Cambodia’s General Directorate of Agriculture/Department of Agricultural Resources Management (GDA/DARM), the research brings together Cambodian and international specialists in conservation agriculture, soils and carbon management. The results provide a scientific basis for considering conservation agriculture within discussions on sustainable land management, climate policy and the potential role of agricultural soils in carbon sequestration.