CLIMATE-SMART SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND PRECISION AGRICULTURE: INTEGRATING REMOTE SENSING AND AI-BASED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTIVITY IN PAKISTAN’S ARID ZONES

Abstract

Climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity pose serious threats to agricultural sustainability in Pakistan’s arid zones, necessitating the adoption of climate-smart and technology-driven farming approaches. This study investigates the combined impact of soil carbon sequestration and precision agriculture, integrating remote sensing and AI-based nutrient management systems to enhance sustainable crop productivity. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, incorporating survey data from farmers and geospatial indicators derived from remote sensing datasets. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and spatial analysis techniques were used to examine direct, mediating, and integrated effects among the study variables. The results revealed that climate-smart soil carbon sequestration significantly improves soil fertility and crop productivity. Precision agriculture, particularly through remote sensing and AI-based nutrient optimization, demonstrated a stronger direct impact on sustainable crop productivity. Moreover, precision agriculture partially mediated the relationship between soil carbon sequestration and productivity, indicating that digital technologies enhance the effectiveness of soil management practices. Geospatial validation using NDVI and soil moisture indices further confirmed the robustness of the findings. The study concludes that integrating climate-smart soil management with precision agriculture offers a powerful and scalable approach for improving agricultural sustainability in arid regions. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and agricultural practitioners aiming to enhance food security under climate stress conditions