Key Takeaways:
- The Good Rice Alliance (TGRA) receives an ‘Ae’ ex ante rating from BeZero Carbon, recognizing high-quality carbon credits.
- TGRA partners with Bayer, GenZero, and Shell Energy India to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable rice farming.
- More than 12,000 farmers across 13 Indian states are enrolled in climate-smart practices covering 35,000 hectares.
- Initiatives include Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) techniques, reducing methane emissions and saving water.
- The program integrates digital Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) and quality management systems to ensure high-integrity carbon credits.
TGRA Receives Top-Quartile Carbon Rating
The Good Rice Alliance (TGRA), an initiative advancing sustainable rice farming in India, has earned an ‘Ae’ ex ante rating from BeZero Carbon, a leading independent carbon ratings agency. The rating reflects a high standalone carbon rating (‘a’) paired with a strong likelihood of successful project execution (‘aa’).
Suhas Joshi, India Carbon Initiative Lead at Bayer, said the rating confirms TGRA’s “scientific and operational rigor” and emphasizes the alliance’s commitment to supporting farmers while generating high-integrity carbon credits.
Partnerships Driving Sustainable Agriculture
TGRA operates in collaboration with Bayer, GenZero, and Shell Energy India Private Limited. The alliance focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through sustainable practices that include AWD and DSR rice cultivation.
Since May 2023, the program has engaged more than 12,000 farmers across 13 Indian states, covering 35,000 hectares. The initiative is projected to cut methane emissions by nearly 1,20,000 tonnes of CO2e annually while reducing water usage by up to 30%, equivalent to approximately 330 billion US gallons per season.
The Good Rice Alliance’ Measurements, Reportings, and Quality Assurances
The Good Rice Alliance implements robust on-ground and digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, combined with a strict Quality Management System. These measures support high-integrity carbon credit generation and reinforce program integrity across all participating farms.
BeZero Carbon’s ex ante assessment evaluates TGRA’s credibility across additionality, carbon accounting, permanence, project execution, and safeguards, offering confidence to carbon credit offtakers worldwide.
TGRA’s Role in Climate Action
Paddy rice cultivation contributes to roughly 10% of global methane emissions. By promoting climate-smart practices, The Good Rice Alliance aims to reduce emissions, conserve water, and create new income opportunities for smallholder farmers, while aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
