In a historic step toward increasing farmers’ income, the Uttar Pradesh government’s Agriculture Department, in collaboration with IIT Roorkee, has launched the country’s first large-scale farmer carbon credit model. This model will provide farmers with the opportunity to earn direct income in exchange for improving soil health. The program is being launched in the Saharanpur division, which has the potential to generate large-scale carbon credits annually.
This initiative is India’s first government-academic model directly linking farmers’ income to climate-resilient farming, generating carbon credits through a scientifically proven digital monitoring, reporting, and verification system. Under the project, farmers will be able to increase soil carbon storage by adopting sustainable technologies such as minimum tillage, cover cropping, residue management, agroforestry, and advanced biofertilizers.
Farmer Empowerment Initiative
Soil carbon addition and greenhouse gas emission reduction will be digitally measured, and proceeds from the sale of the resulting high-quality carbon credits will be transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts. IIT Roorkee will also play a key role in connecting farmers to carbon markets and global buyers. IIT Roorkee Director Prof. KK Pant said this initiative will help empower farmers and provide new economic opportunities through carbon credits.
Prof. AS Maurya, Principal Investigator and Nodal Officer of the project at IIT Roorkee, said that every ton of carbon stored in the soil will be measured, verified, and converted into income. This model will not only generate carbon credits but will also be crucial for soil regeneration, reduced farming costs, and long-term income for farmers
