Transforming rice farming with Alternate Wetting and Drying

Introducing Alternate Wetting and Drying

Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is a transformative agricultural practice, particularly relevant to rice farming, and holds immense potential in the fight against climate change. Traditionally, rice fields are continuously flooded throughout the entire growing season. Stagnant water on fields creates anaerobic conditions, causing soil microbes to decompose organic material in the absence of oxygen, therefore producing methane - a potent greenhouse gas

In contrast, AWD involves periodically drying out rice fields and then re-flooding them, which disrupts the anaerobic conditions and suppresses methane production.

Methane is responsible for 30% of global warming, and rice farming contributes 12% of the overall methane emissions stack. Globally, conventional rice farming contributes to the same amount of GHGs as the aviation industry.

This water management method doesn't just reduce emissions, it also addresses the escalating global issue of water scarcity. Rice cultivation consumes a staggering 30% of the world’s global fresh water resources, and in many parts of Asia, farmers rely on excessive water use, with little incentive to conserve it. AWD can reduce water consumption by up to 40% without negatively impacting crop yields, a benefit that is crucial as water shortages become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

The significance of AWD in tackling climate change is underscored by its ability to produce carbon credits. Through verified reductions in methane emissions, farmers can earn carbon credits, which can be sold on international markets, creating a financial incentive for adopting more sustainable practices. This dual benefit—mitigating climate change while conserving water—makes AWD an essential practice for a sustainable agricultural future.

Case studies: The impact of AWD in India

Warangal Region, Telangana (Kharif 2024)

In the Warangal region of Telangana, Mitti Labs conducted a comparative study on the impact of AWD versus traditional Continuous Flooding (CF) irrigation on water usage and crop yields during the Monsoon (Kharif) 2024 season. The study was conducted across three supersites, and 30 carbon project sites. The study aimed to measure the impact of AWD on water usage, biomass production, and grain yield. The results were striking.

Water Conservation: Across all sites, AWD resulted in a substantial 37% reduction in water usage compared to CF. The AWD fields consumed an average of 3.14 Megalitres per acre, while the CF fields required 4.96 Megalitres per acre.

Productivity: Despite the reduced water input, both biomass production and grain yield under AWD remained comparable to CF. Biomass production was ~3.3 MT per acre under AWD and ~3.4 MT per acre under CF. More importantly, Grain yield under AWD was ~2.5 MT per acre, compared to ~2.4 MT per acre under CF. These results were confirmed across all tested sites, where rice productivity levels remained consistent between the two treatments.

Ebro Rice Farms of Safidon, Haryana (Kharif 2024)

A similar study was conducted in the Safidon region of Haryana. The study involved five larger rice farms, with AWD implemented on three farms and CF on two.

Water Conservation: The cumulative irrigation water usage over the growing season demonstrated a clear advantage for AWD - achieving a 19% reduction in water usage compared to CF fields, saving ~2.7 megaliters per acre.

Productivity: Despite the significant reduction in water use, the yield from the AWD fields was comparable to that of the CF fields. The AWD fields produced a grain yield of  ~2.7 MT per acre, while the CF fields produced ~2.8 MT per acre, indicating that AWD does not compromise rice productivity. This finding is crucial, as it demonstrates that farmers can conserve water without sacrificing their crop yields, making AWD a viable solution for sustainable rice farming.

Conclusion: Both these studies highlight the potential of AWD to achieve significant water savings (around 37%) without compromising productivity, underscoring its scalability and effectiveness across diverse farming systems.

Why AWD is poised for scale now

The success of these case studies demonstrates that AWD is not only a viable alternative to traditional rice farming practices but also an essential tool for addressing the growing challenges of water scarcity and climate change. As global water resources become more constrained and the effects of climate change intensify, the need for water-efficient agricultural practices like AWD becomes even more urgent.

Several factors now make scaling AWD more feasible than ever before:

1. Real Need: Farmers are facing water scarcity issues, threatening their livelihoods, which make farmers more amenable to climate adaptation strategies like AWD.
   
   

2. Data Driven Confidence: Pilot programs and strong results from case studies, similar to the ones listed above, have helped in building evidence, increasing farmer confidence levels to adopt AWD.
   
   

3. Financial Incentives: Carbon markets have matured, allowing farmers to monetize their methane reductions through carbon credits, adding a further incentive for farmers to adopt AWD.
   
   
   

4. Technological Advancements: With the development of advanced monitoring technologies like Digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV), the implementation of AWD can now be tracked and verified at scale, ensuring that it is adopted correctly and its impacts are accurately measured.
   
   
   

Mitti Labs: Advancing the adoption of AWD through technology and community support

Mitti Labs is playing a pivotal role in scaling AWD, combining cutting-edge technology with community engagement to ensure its successful adoption. Through its robust dMRV system, Mitti Labs provides real-time tracking of water levels, methane emissions, and crop performance. This not only ensures the credibility of on-ground implementation, but also helps field agents and farmers as a decision support tool, ensuring higher participation and adoption rates.

As Madhuri, a Field Manager at Mitti Labs in Warangal District, puts it, “Since completing my Diploma in Agriculture, I have been working with Mitti Labs to onboard and support farmers in this district. It is encouraging to see more and more farmers understanding our AWD programs and coming forward to join our movement.” This reflects the growing enthusiasm for AWD among farmers, driven by its clear benefits for both their livelihoods and the environment.

The company’s focus on farmer education and community-based support has been crucial in driving the widespread adoption of AWD. By providing farmers with the knowledge, tools, and financial incentives to implement AWD, Mitti Labs is helping transform the way rice farming is practiced. Through its work, Mitti Labs is not only supporting sustainable agriculture but also creating economic opportunities for smallholder farmers through the sale of carbon credits.

As Sridevi, a Community Leader in Nagaraju Palli, Warangal District, shares: “We are very happy with the program: it has been very useful for our farmers. It was difficult at first as they had to submit their documents, but now about one in every four farmers are taking part, and I continue to encourage more farmers to join.”

Dual benefits for nature and communities

One of the most powerful aspects of AWD is that it offers dual benefits—both for nature and for the communities that rely on agriculture. For nature, AWD reduces methane emissions, which are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves water—an increasingly precious resource. For farmers, AWD offers a way to adapt to the challenges posed by water scarcity while also providing a new source of income through carbon credits.

As Buddhi Reddy Prathapareddy, a farmer in Kanna Rao Petta, Warangal District, explains: “I have been a farmer for 30 years. In the past, we used water carelessly, leading to a lot of waste: we were worried that future generations might not have enough water. Through this program, we have learned to grow our crops with less water. Saving water and reducing methane emissions is the responsibility of every farmer and citizen.” This illustrates the growing awareness and sense of responsibility among farmers, who are beginning to see themselves as key players in the fight against climate change.

By empowering farmers with the knowledge and resources to implement AWD, Mitti Labs is helping to create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system that benefits both the environment and the communities that depend on it. The result is a more sustainable future for rice farming, where both nature and people thrive.

A greener future for all

Mitti Labs is leading the way in scaling AWD, demonstrating how technology, community support, and financial incentives can come together to create a sustainable agricultural future. The case studies from Haryana and Telangana show that AWD is not only effective in reducing water usage and methane emissions but also in maintaining crop yields. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, practices like AWD offer a critical solution for sustainable agriculture.

The time for AWD at scale is now. By embracing this practice, we can create a future where agriculture is not only more sustainable but also more profitable for the farmers who are on the frontlines of climate change. Through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts, AWD has the potential to transform the landscape of rice farming, benefiting both nature and communities for generations to come.