Varaha: Turning Healthy Soil Into Farmer Income

India’s small farmers face rising costs, weaker soil, unpredictable weather and uncertain returns.

Varaha, a climate-tech startup founded in 2022, is attempting to tackle these problems by making sustainable farming financially rewarding.

Founded by Ankita Garg, Madhur Jain and Vishal Kuchanur, Varaha connects farmers with the growing carbon-credit economy.

Its model encourages regenerative farming and other climate-friendly practices. Farmers can then earn additional income when these practices generate verified carbon credits.

The startup currently works with more than two lakh farmers across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Côte d’Ivoire. Its programmes include regenerative agriculture, afforestation, biochar and enhanced rock weathering.

For farmers, the biggest attraction is an additional revenue stream. Carbon-credit payments can begin from the first year.

At the same time, practices such as reduced tillage and biochar application can gradually improve soil quality. Healthier soil can retain more moisture and support better crop productivity.

Varaha also handles much of the technical work. Its teams map farmland and assess soil conditions before recommending suitable practices. Farmers receive support such as saplings, biochar or machinery.

Technology plays a major role in monitoring. Varaha uses its Vann mobile application, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to track participating farms.

Soil samples and scientific models then help estimate carbon removal. Independent verification follows before credits are issued.

However, scaling this model comes with challenges. India’s farms are often small and scattered, making monitoring and verification difficult.

Building trust with farmers also requires extensive field-level engagement. Moreover, carbon credits must meet strict international standards before companies can purchase them.

Varaha is trying to solve these challenges through technology and local partnerships.

Its field teams and NGOs help farmers understand the programme, while digital tools reduce the need for frequent physical inspections.

The startup now wants to expand its reach significantly. Its regenerative agriculture programme across the Indo-Gangetic Plains is targeting more than 70,000 farmers across 800,000 hectares.

As its programmes expand, Varaha’s larger ambition is to make climate finance accessible to millions of smallholders.

Its approach links three outcomes: healthier farmland, additional farmer income and measurable climate action.

Image Credit: Varaha Website Screenshot

Image Reference: https://www.varaha.earth/