Excel-based model for assessing the feasibility for agroforestry carbon sequestration

Within the SUFACHAIN work package 5 on monetization of ecosystem services, our partner Sustainable AG developed an Excel-based model for the calculation of:

• Carbon sequestration (Biomass above- and belowground, pruning, soil organic carbon)
• Cost calculation (Establishment/planting, maintenance, labour, Material, machinery, fences, drip irrigation, additional cost as distribution/logistics, losses & shortages, training, software, Carbon standard cost, Thirdparty verification, optional consulting, inflation)
• Benefit/income (Flexible carbon credit price)
• Cost-benefit ratio (Cost minus income, annually and total, per hectare; for 2 different carbon standards).

The model can show the result of 13 different scenarios (distinguishing in tree density, machinery use, fences use and drip irrigation). The user can choose freely the hectare size, number of farmers and participation rate, and the time scale.

The input data was sourced from literature incl. case studies from WOCAT SLM database, interviews (onsite and remote) and to a small extent also earlier case studies of Sustainable AG.

The input data bears a relatively high uncertainty, especially the income data (carbon price forecast), but to a lesser extent also the cost and sequestration data. The model outputs vary strongly when changing the monetary input data. Thus, this data should be subject to verification and continuous adjustments.

To learn about the tool, check the recordings of our workshop: https://sufachain.org/presentation-on-feasibility-study-for-agroforestry-carbon-sequestration-project-in-kyrgyzstan

If you are interested to test the model for your own calculations, you can fill in this contact form and we will send you the tool:

note: the tool can only be provided to Central Asian stakeholders