Carbon smart agriculture: lower carbon emissions and higher economic benefits of maize production in Thailand

Abstract

Reducing carbon emissions and increasing economic profit are the two of the main challenges for developing sustainable agricultural in Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate appropriate approaches to reduce carbon emissions and increase economic outcomes during the various weather seasons (early rainy, late rainy and dry seasons) for maize cultivation in Thailand. Based on the carbon movement categorization, carbon emissions of maize production were found to be 548, 449 and 810 kg CE/ha-crop during the early rainy, late rainy and dry seasons, respectively. The carbon fixation efficiency was computed to be 79.0–80.2%, indicating that maize production continued to emit significant carbon amounts to the atmosphere. Based on carbon smart agriculture, evaluation of sustainable resources consumption scenarios for maize production, 29.8–56.3% reduced carbon emissions could be achieved using the amount of fertilizer recommended by the Thai Department of Agriculture, replacing 20% of chemical fertilizer with chicken manure, and replacing fossil-diesel fuel with biodiesel. The potential cost savings of implementing these recommendations were estimated to be 25.3 and 74.5 USD/ha during the early rainy and dry seasons, respectively. From the proposed scenarios, the carbon fixation efficiencies increased to 85.9, 83.7 and 88.7% for early rainy, late rainy, and dry seasons, respectively. Thus, resource efficiency and lower carbon emissions produce a win–win scenario for all crop season productions. These findings may be used to effect better government policy for the efficient use of resources and energy in maize cultivation to achieve both reduced carbon emissions and save costs.