ASCC-M based transformational education model for enhancing carbon literacy and agroecological resilience among rural farmers

Climate change has become a major ecological and social challenge affecting food security and agricultural sustainability worldwide. The agricultural sector significantly contributes to carbon emissions through fertilizer use and land conversion, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to conceptualize a place-based, technology-enhanced Transformational Education Model grounded in Agro-Smart Carbon Capture Microbiome (ASCC-M) technology, designed to strengthen rural farmers' carbon literacy and agroecological resilience while advancing geography education through deeper understanding of human–environment interactions, spatial agricultural processes, and climate-related dynamics within real rural landscapes. The research employed conceptual design through systematic literature review and model development, integrating theories of transformative learning, carbon literacy, and agroecological education. The ASCC-M system combines microbial biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time soil monitoring, serving as both a learning medium and environmental empowerment tool. The conceptual analysis suggests that the ASCC-M-based model has the potential to encourage farmers to engage in reflective learning, data-driven decision-making, and environmentally conscious farming practices. By situating climate learning within authentic agricultural environments and integrating spatially responsive smart technologies, the model bridges theoretical environmental education with geographically grounded practice. The model has theoretical implications for sustainability education and practical relevance as a framework for climate-resilient agricultural learning.