ISLAMABAD, (TW News) __ A new partnership between SAWiE Ecosystems Private Ltd and AgriCapture aims to reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation in Pakistan while creating additional income opportunities for smallholder farmers through high-integrity carbon credits.

The collaboration forms part of the Global Rice Methane Initiative in South Asia and focuses on promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, particularly Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a water-management method designed to lower methane emissions from rice paddies. Carbon credits generated from the 2026 growing season will be developed under Verra’s VM51 methodology to ensure that emission reductions are measurable, transparent, and independently verified.

Pakistan grows rice on roughly 3.9 million hectares, placing it among the world’s top ten producers and contributing about two percent of global output. However, traditional continuously flooded rice systems are estimated to release between seven and eight million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually across the country. Experts say improved water-management practices could significantly cut emissions while improving water efficiency, productivity, and climate resilience.

Under the initiative, smallholder farmers—particularly women—will receive training and technical support to adopt sustainable rice-growing techniques and generate verified methane-reduction carbon credits for the Voluntary Carbon Market. Organizers say linking sustainable agriculture with climate finance could diversify rural incomes while maintaining environmental integrity and transparency in carbon markets.

Impact at scale

• Benefits for smallholder farmers, especially women
• Measurable reductions in methane emissions
• Improved water efficiency and climate resilience
• Access to climate finance through carbon markets
• Scalable nature-based solutions aligned with global standards

Fritz Boehmler, CEO of SAWiE Ecosystems, said the partnership will help harness methane-reduction opportunities through Alternate Wetting and Drying while supporting traceable and sustainable rice production.

Tyler Hull, CEO of AgriCapture, said the collaboration combines AgriCapture’s experience in developing high-integrity carbon credits with SAWiE’s on-the-ground farmer engagement to scale credible methane reductions and connect farmers with global carbon markets.

Nosheen Ramzan, Chairperson of SAWiE, added that aligning farmers, rice millers, exporters, financial institutions, and climate markets will help accelerate the transition from conventional flooded systems to climate-smart rice landscapes across Pakistan.

The first consultation meeting for the initiative is scheduled for 4 March 2026 in Safderabad, located in Sheikhupura.