Pioneer agri-carbon project gets Verra-certified

From the newsletter

AgriCarbon, a carbon farming programme in South Africa, has become the continent's first regenerative farm initiative to receive Verra-certified carbon credits. This certification was achieved using the Verra VM0042 Agricultural Land Management methodology. It measures greenhouse gas emission reductions and soil organic carbon removals resulting from improved agricultural practices.

• As the first VM0042 project listed with Verra, AgriCarbon has introduced a scientifically validated soil carbon model specifically tailored for southern Africa.

• Regenerative farming methods contribute to carbon sequestration, enhance soil health, and address the challenges posed by climate change.

More details

• “AgriCarbon’s success is built on a robust Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system that ensures transparency and accuracy in emissions reductions and removals. This achievement has been made possible through partnerships with leading agricultural consultancies Trace & Save and Intelact, whose expertise supports the programme’s MRV system. The entire process has been independently validated and verified by the third-party auditor SCS Global,” said Franz Rentel, Managing Director of Anthesis South Africa.

• Craig Galloway, Director at Trace & Save, emphasised that AgriCarbon’s journey to carbon credit issuance has been long but rewarding. The programme provides farmers with a new revenue stream by generating high-quality carbon credits, making sustainable farming practices more financially viable. This has motivated farmers to continue adopting regenerative practices, thereby contributing to climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.

• The AgriCarbon programme, launched in 2021, has since enabled 29 South African farmers to implement sustainable agricultural practices. These farmers manage over 17,582 hectares of land, resulting in the issuance of 39,207 tonnes of carbon credits. They utilise techniques such as cover cropping, reduced tillage and crop rotation.

• This development follows the release of a comprehensive report by the Observer Research Foundation and the Solidaridad Network, detailing how regenerative agriculture enhances local food systems and builds resilience in rural Africa. The report examines the significance of agrobiodiversity, the benefits of regenerative agriculture for small farmers, the challenges that arise, potential pathways for effecting change, success stories from Africa, and recommendations for further action.

• According to the report, the primary value of regenerative agriculture lies in its capacity to restore and enhance soil health. By increasing organic matter and promoting microbial diversity, it boosts soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and water retention, resulting in more productive farms. Regenerative practices also protect biodiversity through methods such as crop rotation, habitat restoration, and natural pest control, which reduce reliance on harmful pesticides and foster resilient ecosystems. 

Our take

• Anthesis has shown that agriculture can serve as a powerful tool for climate resilience. By empowering farmers with sustainable practices, they enable a lasting positive impact on the environment and global initiatives.

• The programme illustrates that adopting regenerative farming practices not only supports climate action but also establishes agriculture as a crucial player in addressing environmental challenges.

• By generating carbon credits, farmers gain economic benefits while simultaneously contributing to carbon sequestration and enhancing climate resilience.