Amazon to buy carbon credits from 13,000 Indian farmers

Amazon is making a major investment in saving the environment by purchasing carbon credits from 13,000 rice farmers in India. This project to reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation will increase farmers' income. Learn about this complete model and how India is becoming a hub of the global carbon market.

Amazon, the world's leading e-commerce company, has taken a major step in India's agricultural sector. It's worth noting that Amazon is now purchasing carbon credits from approximately 13,000 rice farmers in India. This deal is not only good news for the environment but also opens up a new source of income for Indian farmers. Until now, large companies simply purchased carbon credits from the market, but now they are investing directly in projects that reduce pollution.

Paddy cultivation will reduce pollution

This Amazon project covers approximately 35,000 hectares of land. Its goal is to reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation. Waterlogged rice fields release large amounts of methane, which is harmful to the environment. The Good Rice Alliance is teaching farmers farming techniques that increase rice yields and reduce pollution. It is estimated that this project will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 685,000 tons.

India becomes the new hub of carbon credit market

Experts believe that India is becoming a major hub in the global carbon market. India's agricultural sector is vast, offering significant potential for carbon reduction. According to Umang Agarwal of Grow Indigo, a company like Amazon purchasing carbon credits from agriculture demonstrates that agriculture has become a real asset. Large companies are now choosing reliable, high-quality projects that can be monitored by satellite and on the ground.

Challenges and farmers' share

This changing model is not without challenges. Experts say that the current system's largest expenditure is incurred in audit and certification, reducing the amount of money reaching farmers. Furthermore, a lack of transparency and verification is also a major problem. The government has developed a framework for this, but the key question is who will be the true owner of this credit: the farmer or the company?