Mitti Labs: Frequently Asked Questions

Why is methane called a “short-lived pollutant”? Why does Mitti Labs focus on methane?

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, about 85 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂) over a 20-year period. But unlike CO₂, which stays in the atmosphere for centuries, methane starts to disappear in just 10–12 years. That is why it is called a “short-lived climate pollutant.”

Reducing methane gives us a faster way to slow global warming in the near term. Because rice farming is a major global source of methane, this is our focus for maximum climate impact now.

Do you have other project types?

We don't. We focus exclusively on rice farming and on reducing its impact on the climate. Our work focuses on supporting smallholder rice farmers with adopting Climate-smart practices from seed to residue, slashing methane emissions due to excessive irrigation but also CO2 emissions from residue burning. 

Which ‘category’ do you work in? Carbon removal, reduction, etc…

We issue carbon credits based on methane emission reduction. This new category is a cost-effective, project category that is complementary to CDR credits based on biochar and enhanced rock weathering for example.

What exactly does Mitti Labs do to reduce methane? What is AWD?

Mitti Labs works with rice farmers to change how they manage water in their fields—specifically through a technique called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD).

Most rice fields stay flooded all the time, which creates the perfect environment for methane to form. AWD encourages periodically draining the field, which cuts off methane production while maintaining good yields.

Mitti Labs has developed an end-to-end framework that

• Tracks and monitors the implementation of AWD from satellite and ground data

• Supports farmers with information and incentives

• Quantifies methane reduction accurately for carbon credit accounting and issuance. 

What certification methodologies do you follow?

Our methane reduction framework is aligned with internationally recognized carbon credit issuance methodologies, such as Gold Standard's Rice Methane Reduction Methodology. 

• We use validated satellite-based measurements (like SAR)

• Our biochemical models simulate real-world conditions in rice fields

• We follow rigorous QA/QC protocols to ensure data accuracy

This scientific backbone allows us to create high-integrity carbon credits that meet the highest standards of permanence and quality.

Does your work have benefits beyond methane reduction?

Yes—many. Here are some of the co-benefits of our work:

• Water conservation: AWD can cut water use by up to 40%

• Improved air quality: We track and help reduce crop burning, which causes severe PM2.5 pollution

• Farmer income: Farmers get paid for Climate-smart practices through carbon markets

• Better yields:When implemented rigorously, AWD does not reduce crop yields

• Practice recommendations: Data-driven recommendations for optimal seeding method selection per field zone

So while methane reduction is our starting point, the positive ripple effects are wide-ranging.

Why did Mitti Labs start its work in India?

India is the second-largest rice producer in the world and one of the top methane emitters from rice farming. Rice is cultivated on over 44 million hectares across India. Traditional methods contribute nearly 17% of India’s total methane emissions, driven by flooded fields that trap heat-trapping gases beneath the surface. At the same time, it has:

• Widespread adoption of irrigation, making AWD feasible

• Significant government interest in Climate-smart agriculture

• Hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers, who can benefit directly from our programmes

Starting in India allows us to have high impact, fast, and build a scalable, replicable model for rice-growing regions around the world.