Bayer, GenZero, Shell, and Mitsubishi Launches The Good Rice Alliance(TGRA)

Mumbai - The Good Rice Alliance, the Sustainable Rice Carbon Programme, advances sustainable rice farming in India, enrolling over 10,000 farmers across 25,000 hectares to cut more than 100,000 tCO2e methane emissions annually. The Good Rice Alliance is currently reducing over 100,000 tonnes of CO2e methane emissions annually by promoting climate-smart practices like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). It has positively impacted 10,000 farmers across 9 Indian states, covering more than 25,000 hectares since its inception.

TGRA plans to expand by adding 8,500 hectares, improving GHG emissions measurement from rice paddies, and strengthening farmer support systems. The program will build on the first two years of implementation and currently covers major rice-producing states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Through TGRA, Bayer AG, a multinational biotechnology company, in collaboration with GenZero, a Investment Platform, Shell Energy India Private Limited, an energy solutions provider, and Mitsubishi Corporation, a trading company, is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through sustainable rice farming practices. This global effort combines expertise from agriculture, decarbonization, energy, and industrial sectors to promote eco-friendly cultivation methods.

The program has successfully reduced cultivation costs for most enrolled farmers. In its first year, a GHG measurement study was conducted in six locations. Demand for these practices is projected to rise to between 330 million and 1.5 billion tCO2e by 2030. The carbon offset platform industry in India is expected to grow 28% annually, reaching a market value of US$ 68.5 million by 2033.

Mr. Simon Wiebusch, President of Bayer South Asia, said, “At Bayer, our mission is to increase agricultural productivity with fewer resources while restoring ecological balance. At The Good Rice Alliance (TGRA) we emphasize that quality is the cornerstone of our mission, which aims to revolutionize rice cultivation practices. With most of the farmers experiencing tangible benefits from adopting regenerative practices, we are hopeful that our collaborative efforts will lead to the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices, fostering thriving communities of smallholder farmers nationwide.”

Mr. Suhas Joshi, India Carbon Initiative lead at Bayer, said “Increased scrutiny of voluntary carbon markets has highlighted the need for robust, high-quality projects. Achieving excellence requires more than inspiration. It demands perspiration, hard work, attention to detail, and a willingness to tackle the unglamorous tasks. At TGRA, we're doubling down on the fundamentals of Total Quality Management.”

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