Indian farmers are increasingly earning from carbon credits, not just crop sales. This article profiles four startups: Varaha, Mitti Labs, Boomitra, and Prithu. They use regenerative practices like reduced tillage, alternate wetting and drying of rice fields, agroforestry, and biochar to cut emissions or store carbon in soil. Each startup verifies the impact using satellite imagery, AI, and independent audits, then sells verified credits on registries like Verra or Gold Standard. Revenue sharing varies, but farmers typically receive a significant share, often 75% or more. Varaha works with over 200,000 farmers, Mitti Labs targets methane from flooded rice, Boomitra focuses on soil carbon, and Prithu aims to sequester 20 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030. The article highlights how these models create an extra income stream while improving soil health and water efficiency.
