Regenerative farming - Indo-Gangetic Plains, India
The project accelerates the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices to cut greenhouse gas emissions, restore degraded land, and boost soil health and crop yields. Using regenerative techniques like reduced tillage, Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), crop residue management, crop rotation, and cover crops, it replaces harmful traditional methods. Launched in June 2019, it now extends to maize-wheat, sugarcane, and cotton systems, incorporating pulses and mustards as cover crops. To date, the project has successfully integrated more than 5,601 farmers in Punjab and Haryana states in India. This initiative stands out for its contribution to the 12 Sustainable Development Goals, making a significant stride towards sustainable agriculture with far-reaching impacts on the environment and local livelihoods.
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Project information
Sustainable farming practices
Agriculture is responsible for over 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with India being the 3rd largest emitter globally. This project aims to promote regenerative practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, crop residue incorporation and optimised fertilisation with smallholder farmers in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, a region affected by persistent pollution.
This area, crucial for India's agriculture, faces severe environmental challenges that exacerbate global agricultural emissions. Sustainable and regenerative farming practices will help reduce carbon emissions, water use and pollution while improving soil health, crop yields and farmer livelihoods.
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Intervention
Regenerative farming
Location
India
Standards
Verra Standard
Methodology
VM0042
Sustainable Goals
Project performance
The Earthly rating
The Earthly rating is the industry-first holistic project assessment. Earthly researchers analyse 106 data points, aggregating information across the three vital pillars of carbon, biodiversity and people. Projects in Earthly's marketplace all exceed a minimum score of 5/10.
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227,878
tonnes of CO2e removed annually.
22.6%
improvement in water-use efficiency in the project area.
12.5% - 16%
increase in farmer income.
Project impact
Local impact
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This map displays the evolution of the regenerative agriculture project in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, highlighting the states where it currently operates.
Project area: through time
India's diverse agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including soil degradation, water scarcity, and the detrimental effects of conventional farming practices such as the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These practices contribute to carbon emissions and diminish soil fertility, while socio-economic barriers and a lack of scientific expertise limit the transition to sustainable methods
The Indo-Gangetic Plains project addresses these issues through the adoption of regenerative agriculture, aiming to rejuvenate soil health, increase biodiversity, sequester carbon, and improve water management. Since 2019, the project has seen significant growth. From around 34,000 hectares in 2019 to 41,995.55 hectares in 2025, it aims to cover a total of 815,865 ha in 2029. This growth is not only in land area but also in achieving substantial environmental impacts, including better soil organic matter, reduced erosion, improved water quality, and increased climate resilience for India's farming communities.
Positive for people
The Indo-Gangetic Plains are significantly impacted by poor air quality, alongside a range of other environmental challenges. The project aims to fight this challenge. In the most recent monitoring period, the project avoided the burning of over 40,000 hectares of agricultural land. This reduction in air pollution, and the associated mortality rate attributed to air pollution, has saved the equivalent of 52 lives in the current monitoring period. Amazingly, the project expects to save 2614 lives over the project lifetime by avoiding crop residue burning.
Economically, the project has fostered a substantial uplift in the livelihoods of local farmers, showcasing a 12-16% increase in their incomes, with 50-70% of carbon credit revenue distributed to farmers. This financial boost is attributed to a combination of factors including enhanced productivity, the sale of carbon credits, and a marked reduction in production costs.
In terms of employment, the project currently supports 34 individuals on the ground; a figure that is expected to grow over the project's lifespan. This expansion signifies not only the project's growth but also its role in fueling local employment and contributing to the economic stability of the region.
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Good for earth
The Indo-Gangetic Plains face significant challenges, including soil degradation, water scarcity and environmental pollution. In response, the project has made significant strides in sustainable agriculture, notably reducing water consumption by around 22% through the adoption of direct seeded rice (DSR) techniques instead of traditional transplanted methods. This shift has led to the conservation of over 59 million litres of water in the most recent crediting period, demonstrating the project's commitment to addressing these challenges through efficient and sustainable resource use.
Beyond water savings, the project champions regenerative agriculture practices that offer a plethora of biodiversity benefits and improvements in soil health. These practices extend beyond enhancing soil carbon levels to include erosion control and the promotion of soil biodiversity, thereby ensuring the long-term viability and productivity of the land. Such holistic environmental stewardship not only supports the ecosystem but also bolsters agricultural resilience.
Moreover, the project places a strong emphasis on reducing the use and reliance on agrochemicals, including synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. This approach minimises chemical runoff: a common environmental hazard associated with conventional farming practices. By advocating for, and implementing, safer and more sustainable agricultural methods, the project contributes to the preservation of surrounding ecosystems and water quality.
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