4 Startups Helping Indian Farmers Earn From Carbon, Not Just Crops

What Happened

four startups in India are linking farming practices to carbon credits, enabling farmers to earn from carbon removal in addition to crop yields. Varaha, Mitti Labs, Boomitra and Prithu each apply mitigation or monitoring methods to qualify for carbon credits and distribute revenue to participating farmers. Varaha uses regenerative practices and a mapping/verification process; Mitti Labs promotes Alternate Wetting and Drying to reduce methane and verify results; Boomitra measures soil carbon with AI/satellite data and sells credits; Prithu connects marginal farmers to carbon markets with AI, satellite imagery and blockchain-based MRV to ensure transparent verification.

Why It Matters

The model expands revenue streams for farmers beyond crop sales by tapping into verified carbon removals. It relies on technological tools to measure, verify and trade credits, potentially increasing farm income in years beyond harvests. The ventures claim significant farmer participation and credit-trading pathways through established registries and standards.

Background

Varaha was founded in 2022 and operates across India and other countries, enrolling thousands of farmers and distributing a share of carbon-credit revenue to farmers from the outset. Mitti Labs, started in 2023, focuses on methane reduction in flooded rice fields and uses AWD to lower emissions and conserve water, with verification supported by radar/satellite data and Gold Standard methods. Boomitra began in 2017 and uses AI, satellite and microwave data to assess soil carbon without extensive field testing, with farmer revenue tied to verified credits issued by registries such as Verra and Social Carbon. Prithu, formed in 2024 in Gurugram, aims to connect marginal farmers to global carbon markets for removal projects and uses AI, satellite imagery and blockchain-based MRV for transparent verification.

Key Facts

• Varaha founded in 2022; operates with 2 lakh+ farmers across India and other countries; tracks impact via Vann app, satellites and AI; verified carbon removal is independently audited before credits are issued.
• Mitti Labs founded in 2023; promotes Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) to reduce methane from rice fields; AWD can cut methane by up to 50% and save water; uses satellite radar, AI and digital field twins to verify practices; follows Gold Standard methods.
• Boomitra founded in 2017; measures soil carbon using AI, satellite and microwave data; promotes reduced tillage, cover crops, rotational grazing and residue reincorporation; revenue from verified credits goes to farmers and landowners (75%+ of gross credit-sale revenue).
• Prithu founded in 2024 in Gurugram; connects marginal farmers to global carbon markets for carbon removal; promotes reduced tillage, cover crops, AWD, biochar, agroforestry and biogas; uses AI, satellite imagery and blockchain MRV for transparent verification; after Rs 10 crore seed funding, aims to sequester 20 million tonnes CO2e across 5 lakh+ hectares by 2030.

What Happens Next

Projects across these ventures indicate ongoing emphasis on verifiable carbon removals and farmer-inclusive revenue sharing. Specific next steps include expansion of enrollment and verification, scaling of carbon-credit issuance through registries, and progress toward stated sequestration and geographic targets by 2030.