Soil is one of the largest carbon reservoirs – and yet one of the most overlooked, says Prof. Dr. Dushko Mukaetov from the Institute of Agriculture at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.
“With the right management, especially in agriculture and forestry, we can significantly increase carbon storage in soils and reduce its concentration in the atmosphere.” Healthy soils are not only a foundation of food production — they can also become powerful climate allies. Through the Carbon4SoilQuality project, partners across the Mediterranean are working to unlock this potential and support the transition toward regenerative and climate-smart agriculture.
What is carbon farming?
Carbon farming is a set of agricultural practices — like reduced tillage, cover crops, agroforestry, composting — that both sequester carbon in soils and reduce emissions. It is a cornerstone of the EU Green Deal and an important tool in enhancing soil quality, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
What is the Carbon4SoilQuality project doing? The project, co-funded by Interreg Euro-MED, aims to:
- Map organic carbon levels in Mediterranean soils
-
Define reference values for long-term monitoring
- Identify the most suitable carbon farming techniques for different soil types and conditions
Develop training materials and a Carbon Agriculture Handbook for farmers, advisors, and decision-makers
Training topics include:
-
Soil quality and carbon cycles
-
Monitoring tools and methods
-
Choosing the right carbon farming practice
-
Accessing carbon markets and carbon credits
As Prof. Mukaetov emphasizes in his interview for Umno.mk:
“Carbon agriculture is not only about reducing emissions — it is also about making soils healthier, more fertile, and more resilient to extreme weather events.”
Let’s bring soil back into the climate conversation — where it belongs.
We are researching how to properly manage carbon in Mediterranean soils – UMNO.MK
