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Soil Carbon Payments: First Farm-Level Credits in Punjab, Haryana

21 September 20261 min read
AGRICULTURE & RURALSoil CarbonPayments: FirstFarm-Level Creditsin Punjab, Haryana21 September 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Smallholders in Punjab and Haryana were paid directly for verified regenerative practices that store carbon in soil.

Key facts

  • Payout: over ₹2.9 crore via DBT.
  • Implementer: Grow Indigo through its ‘Aadi’ programme.
  • First cycle: 2019-2022 carbon benefits; about 30,000 acres, 50,000+ certified credits.
  • Origin: started in 2019 to curb stubble-burning pollution and groundwater depletion.

How it works

StageWhat happens
Practice changeDirect Seeded Rice, minimum tillage, cover crops and residue retention replace transplanting and stubble burning
MRVSatellite data, digital crop models and soil sampling track carbon and GHG changes
CreditsVerified credits sold in the voluntary carbon market
PaymentUpfront payment or 75% of net proceeds

Exam angle

  • MRV: Measurement, Reporting and Verification.
  • Market type: voluntary carbon market.

Test yourself

1. Under India's first farm-level soil carbon payments, which entity runs the 'Aadi' programme?

Grow Indigo, a Mahyco-Indigo Ag venture, implements Aadi.

2. What share of net carbon-credit sale proceeds can farmers receive under the soil carbon payment model?

Farmers get an upfront payment or 75% of net proceeds.

3. Where are verified credits from the Grow Indigo soil carbon model sold?

Verified credits are sold in the voluntary carbon market.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 19 September 2026 (11 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizSeptember 2026

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