Organic mulching – Climate-smart agriculture practice catalogue
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Organic mulching means covering the soil around plants with natural materials like rice straw, dry leaves, grass clippings, or compost. This simple practice delivers powerful climate benefits.Mulch conserves soil moisture by reducing evaporation, suppresses weeds by blocking sunlight, and prevents erosion by absorbing rain impact. It also insulates the soil against extreme heat, feeds soil organisms as it decomposes, and adds organic carbon, helping to sequester carbon dioxide.Research shows mulch can increase available water capacity by eighteen to thirty-five percent and boost soil organic carbon significantly. Straw mulch in rice paddies can also reduce methane emissions by twenty-five to forty percent.The catalogue covers essential components, application standards, and a step-by-step methodology. It compares organic options like straw and compost with inorganic alternatives.Well-suited for smallholders due to the wide availability of rice straw and crop residues, organic mulching is a low-cost, high-impact practice for building healthier soils and more resilient farms.