Sustainable Paddy Program

Verra Project ID: VCS 3655

By Agricapita Innotech Private Limited

🌐 Project Overview

The Sustainable Paddy Program is a Verra-registered carbon offset initiative (Project ID: VCS 3655), implemented by Agricapita Innotech Private Limited. The project is designed to reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation by replacing traditional continuously flooded irrigation practices with Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) methods. It empowers small and marginal farmers in India through sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and enhanced livelihoods.

📍 Location

India – First phase implemented in Jangaon district, Telangana State. The project will expand to other rice-growing regions across India.

🎯 Objectives

Significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies
Optimize water use efficiency in irrigation
Improve soil health and crop productivity
Empower rural farming communities
Generate high-integrity carbon credits under Verra’s VCS program

📈 Emission Reductions

Year	Estimated Emission Reductions (tCO₂e)
Average Annual ERs	57,192 tCO₂e

💧 Technology & Methodology

Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD):
A water-saving technique where irrigation is applied intermittently rather than continuously flooding rice fields. Farmers use a field water tube to monitor soil moisture and decide when to irrigate.
Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):
An approach where seeds are sown directly into the field without transplanting, reducing water and labor requirements.

Methodology Applied:
AMS-III.AU: Methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation (Version 4.0)

🌿 Environmental & Agro-Ecological Benefits

GHG Mitigation: Methane reductions up to 48%
Water Use Efficiency: 15–30% savings
Soil Quality: Improved aeration and organic matter retention
Climate Resilience: Better coping with drought, pests, and disease
Lower Chemical Use: Encourages organic inputs and reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers

👨‍🌾 Social Impact

Farmers Engaged: Over 3,185 farmers in the first season
Employment: Field staff and agronomists hired locally
Women Empowerment: Technical training and participation encouraged
Digital Support: Farmers use the AgriCapita mobile app for advisory, logging data, and accessing best practices
Training Programs: Extensive field-level training and awareness campaigns conducted in regional languages

✅ Project Features

Grouped Project under Verra’s VCS Program
Project Type: Agricultural Land Management (ALM) – Improved Cropland Management (ICM)
Crediting Period: 2022–2032 (10 years, fixed)
First Dry Event: July 30, 2022 – Project Start Date
Technology Demonstration: Field tubes, geo-tagged monitoring, mobile-based advisory