The Good Rice Alliance (TGRA) is a transformative initiative and program, not an act or a judgment, focused on advancing sustainable rice farming practices in India. It was formerly known as the Sustainable Rice Carbon Programme. The project began in 2021 to address the significant environmental impact of conventional rice cultivation, which is responsible for 8-10% of global methane emissions and consumes 24-30% of global freshwater. India ranks second globally in methane emissions from rice cultivation, making this a critical problem.
The mechanism works by transitioning farmers from the conventional continuous flooding method to climate-smart practices like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR). AWD involves alternately flooding and non-flooding fields, which can save up to 30% of water and reduce methane emissions. This shift generates tradable carbon credits (VER) by reducing methane emissions, with the project standard being the Gold Standard. The alliance uses the Good Rice Alliance Management System (GRAMS) to ensure program integrity and verifiable carbon credits, and farmers are financially incentivized.
The alliance is a collaborative effort supported by global companies: Bayer, GenZero (a Temasek-owned company), Shell Energy India Private Limited, and Mitsubishi Corporation. It connects directly to the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), with Amazon signing a $30 million deal to purchase the generated carbon credits. The program aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. As of October 2024, the alliance has enrolled over 10,000 farmers covering more than 25,000 hectares and is expanding its reach across major rice-producing states.