Carbon by Indigo: Sustainable Farming That Pays
Summary
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Details
Deep dive
Software overview
"Connecting Sustainability and Profitability"
Source: indigoag.com
Indigo Ag's Carbon Program Software is a key component of their digital tools and services, designed to facilitate participation in their carbon credit program. This program helps farmers earn revenue by adopting regenerative agricultural practices that capture carbon in the soil. The program supports farmers in implementing methods like cover cropping, no-till farming, and crop rotation, which improve soil health and sequester carbon. Participants generate carbon credits that are verified and sold on the carbon market, providing an additional income stream. Indigo offers streamlined data collection, transparent tracking, and higher payouts per credit, enhancing the financial benefits for participating farmers.
Main features
Carbon Calculator
Allows farmers to estimate the potential benefits of adopting sustainable practices
Helps farmers understand their investment and potential returns before committing to the program
Streamlined Data Submission
Significantly reduces the time required for data entry
Farmers can now submit data in about 30 minutes, compared to the previous multi-day process
Intuitive Crop Management Interface
User-friendly interface for easier program participation
Simplifies the process of inputting and managing crop data
Simplified Historical Data Requirements
Farmers no longer need to provide extensive historical data
Instead, they share information on how a typical crop is managed in a 5-year rotation
Enhanced Carbon Impact Modeling
More precise at capturing on-farm activities
Updated and expanded model, scientifically validated and approved by the Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
Financial Tracking
Helps farmers track their earnings from the carbon program
Shows that 75% of the weighted price for a carbon credit crop goes back to the farmer
Integration with Sustainability Solutions
Connects with Indigo's broader sustainability offerings
Enables participation in both carbon and Scope 3 emissions reduction programs
Recent update
Indigo Ag has updated its carbon program to increase financial returns for farmers by simplifying enrollment, enhancing data collection efficiency, and offering higher carbon credit prices. Farmers can now generate more carbon credits per acre with improved modelling, and credits can sell for up to $80 each. The program also makes data submission easier and faster, providing more opportunities for farmers to participate in carbon and Scope 3 markets. To date, participating farmers have earned over $12 million through Indigo's sustainability solutions.
How to use
Enrol in the Program: Farmers sign up with Indigo Ag, either directly or through one of their agribusiness partners. The program is open to a variety of crops, including common ones like corn and soybeans, as well as newer additions like hemp and alfalfa.
Adopt Sustainable Practices: To participate, farmers need to implement sustainable farming techniques such as planting cover crops, reducing tillage, or using more efficient nitrogen fertilizers. These practices help sequester carbon in the soil, turning farms into carbon sinks.
Collect and Submit Data: Farmers record their farming activities and submit this data to Indigo Ag. This includes information about crops, tillage, and any changes to typical farming practices. Indigo Ag’s streamlined data submission process makes it easier for farmers to provide the necessary details.
Verification and Carbon Credit Issuance: Indigo Ag uses advanced models to measure and verify the amount of carbon sequestered. This data is then validated by independent registries like the Climate Action Reserve, ensuring the credits are of high quality.
Earn and Sell Carbon Credits: Once verified, the carbon credits are issued, and farmers can earn payments based on the amount of carbon sequestered. These credits can be sold to companies looking to offset their emissions, providing farmers with a new revenue stream.
Partnerships
Indigo Ag's Carbon Program has gained significant traction among agribusinesses, with over 40 partners now offering Carbon by Indigo to their farmer customers. This expansion demonstrates the growing interest in sustainable agriculture practices and carbon credit generation. Key partnerships include collaborations with companies like The North Face and Maple Leaf Foods, which purchase carbon credits to offset emissions.
Impact
Indigo Ag's Carbon Program has made significant strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through its innovative carbon farming practices. Since its inception in 2019, Indigo Ag has helped farmers sequester or abate nearly 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 65,000 gas-powered cars from the road for a year. This impact has been achieved through the issuance of high-quality carbon credits verified by the Climate Action Reserve, making Indigo the largest issuer of agricultural soil carbon credits globally.
The program involves more than 2,000 farmers across 5.5 million enrolled acres and has shown significant growth, with a 333% increase in new acres, 297% in new fields, and 215% in new grower participation year-over-year. Farmers involved in the program have collectively earned over $12 million by adopting sustainable farming practices, such as planting cover crops and reducing soil tillage, which enhance soil health and capture carbon.
Indigo Ag's carbon credits are not only supporting sustainable agriculture but also meeting the growing corporate demand for credible, nature-based climate solutions.
Sources: indigoag.com, indigoag.com, carboncredits.com
