Carbon sequestration in the semi-arid tropics for improving livelihoods

This paper reviews the research conducted by ICRISAT and its partners on the role of management systems on carbon sequestration and crop productivity in the semi‐arid regions of India. It is now established that apart from water shortages, the dryland productivity is also constrained by low fertility mainly caused by the low organic matter status of most soils. Sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the soil has the potential to achieve the multiple objectives of improving the soil quality and fertility of the semi‐arid tropical soils, increasing crop productivity, improving livelihoods and maintaining environmental quality