IIT Roorkee & Government of Uttar Pradesh Launch India’s First Large-Scale Farmer Carbon Credit Model - Turning Soil into Income

Roorkee: IIT Roorkee, authorised by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, is initiating a pioneering programme that enables farmers to earn direct income through scientifically verified carbon credits. The programme shall deploy internationally aligned Digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (DMRV) systems. Increases in soil carbon and reductions in farm-level greenhouse emissions, achieved through practices such as minimum tillage, cover cropping, residue management, agroforestry and improved bio-fertiliser use, will be scientifically measured and converted into verified carbon credits. Revenue from the sale of these credits will be transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts. Reflecting the farmer-first vision, the outreach message emphasises: सीधी कमाई, स्थानीय फायदा.

The programme will begin in the Saharanpur Division, which holds strong potential to generate substantial volumes of carbon credits annually. IIT Roorkee will also enable connections between farmers, carbon markets and global buyers. For industry, the programme offers access to transparently measured, scientifically validated, high-quality carbon credits: advancing Net Zero commitments while supporting regenerative agriculture and rural livelihoods.

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “This initiative gives farmers a meaningful stake in climate action by ensuring that their sustainable practices translate into real and measurable income. By combining scientific rigour with practical, ground-level implementation, IIT Roorkee aims to empower farming communities, enhance their resilience, and create new economic opportunities through agriculture-based carbon credits.”

Prof. A.S. Maurya, Principal Investigator, IIT Roorkee, said, “Our scientific framework ensures that every tonne of carbon stored in the soil is measured, verified and monetized. This programme is not just about carbon credits, but about restoring soil health, reducing farm input costs and creating new income streams for millions of farmers.”

Ravinder, Principal Secretary (Agriculture), Government of Uttar Pradesh, noted, “The state government welcomes IIT Roorkee’s leadership in this transformative programme. This partnership will allow farmers to benefit directly from sustainable practices while contributing to India’s climate commitments.”

Large-scale sustainable practices under this programme are scheduled for launch soon.