Sustainable Rice Production

The Sustainable Rice Production project, specifically focusing on Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) techniques, is being implemented in the Kamareddy and Karimnagar districts of Telangana State. The project is aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing income opportunities for local farmers through carbon revenue.

Current Population:

The project directly enrolled farmers in both districts, specifically reaching 24,036 farmers in Kamareddy and 22,000 farmers in Karimnagar.

Current Area:

The intervention spans across 150 villages in Kamareddy and 135 villages in Karimnagar, covering a total of 52,932 acres in Kamareddy and 48,847 acres in Karimnagar.

Project Partners:

The project is supported by Core Carbon X Climate Change Consultancy and works closely with the Agriculture Department,local government, village-level Focus Groups, and Farmer Production Companies (FPCs) to implement sustainable practices.

Start Year:

The project commenced in 2022 and has continued to expand its operations.

Staff Count:

The project is supported by a team consisting of 35 staffs, 33 Field Stall Cluster Coordinators, 1 District Coordinator per district, and 1 documentation officers, ensuring smooth field-level implementation across all mandals in both districts.

Activities and Implementation

Major Activities:

1. Training and Enrollment: The project begins with farmer engagement and training programs aimed at spreading awareness about AWD techniques and sustainable rice production.
2. Alternative Wetting and Drying Methodology: AWD helps in reducing water consumption and methane emissions, making rice cultivation environmentally friendly.
3. Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture Practices: A shift from traditional irrigation methods to practices that are eco-friendly and resource-efficient.
4. Connect with Local Government and Stakeholders: Active collaboration with local governmental bodies and village-level Focus Groups to ensure participative rural development.
5. Enroll Farmers in Carbon Revenue Schemes: Farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable methods, which allows them to generate alternative income through carbon credit revenues.
6. Value Addition: The project focuses on enhancing the value of agricultural products through farmer cooperatives like Farmer Production Companies (FPCs).

Approach:

• Step 1: Engaging farmers through training programs and workshops to make them aware of AWD and its benefits.
• Step 2: Establishing Focus Groups at the village level to facilitate discussions and collaborative decision-making.
• Step 3: Collaborating with Farmer Production Companies to scale up the adoption of AWD and ensure the efficient production and marketing of rice.
• Step 4: Implementing the AWD technique and monitoring its progress across identified areas in the two districts.
• Step 5: Creating opportunities for alternative income generation through carbon credits and other sustainable practices.
• Step 6: Regular monitoring and assessment to measure the impact of AWD on water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop productivity.

Project Specific Goals:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of AWD.
• Reduce water and energy consumption in rice cultivation.
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices at the village level through participative engagement.
• Facilitate alternative income sources for farmers by tapping into carbon credit schemes.
• Build a collaborative framework between farmers, local governments, and Farmer Production Companies to ensure long-term sustainability.

Impact and Outcomes

Our Impact So Far:

Since its inception in 2022, the project has achieved significant milestones:
• 46,036 farmers have been trained and enrolled across Kamareddy (24,036 farmers) and Karimnagar (22,000 farmers).
• The project covers 285 villages (150 in Kamareddy and 135 in Karimnagar), working in 13 mandals of Kamareddy and 16 mandals in Karimnagar.
• A total of 52,932 acres in Kamareddy and 48,847 acres in Karimnagar are now managed under sustainable rice production practices.

The project has reduced water consumption, cut down greenhouse gas emissions, and allowed farmers to tap into carbon revenues, providing an alternative source of income.

What We Aim At:

The Sustainable Rice Production - AWD project aims to expand its reach by enrolling more farmers and villages across both districts. The focus will remain on reducing the environmental footprint of rice cultivation, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing the financial resilience of farmers by creating income opportunities through carbon credits. Through continuous collaboration with local governments, village Focus Groups, and Farmer Production Companies, the project aspires to become a model for sustainable agriculture in the region.

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