Dhamtari signs pact to launch Chhattisgarh’s first carbon farming district

Raipur: Dhamtari is set to become Chhattisgarh’s first model carbon agriculture district after the district administration signed an MoU with a climate technology-based organisation to make farming more sustainable, profitable and climate-resilient.

The plan will roll out two district-wide projects aimed at improving soil health, saving water and boosting farmer income.A Soil Organic Carbon enhancement project will cover about 80,000 hectares in two phases, while an alternate wetting and drying-based paddy cultivation project will be taken up over around 30,000 hectares. Officials said the interventions are meant to raise productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve natural resources.District collector Abinash Mishra called the initiative a milestone for agricultural development and said the district has long stayed ahead in innovation-led work. Deputy director of agriculture Monesh Sahu said farmers will be trained in scientific farming, soil health management, water-use efficiency and carbon finance.PRITHU co-founder Prabal Tomar said the organisation will invest about Rs 5 crore over three years and expects the projects to generate around Rs 250 crore in additional farmer income through carbon credits over their lifecycle.