Revolutionizing Rice Farming: Mitti Labs’ Sustainable Solutions
Rice, the primary food source for over half of the global population, faces several challenges due to traditional cultivation methods. These practices contribute significantly to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. Moreover, rice farming requires vast amounts of freshwater, leading to water scarcity issues. However, Mitti Labs, a startup founded by Harvard Business School graduates Xavier Laguarta and Devdut Dalal, aims to tackle these problems using innovative technology solutions.
With $3 million in equity investment, Mitti Labs is on a mission to reduce methane emissions by 50% and water consumption by 30% in rice farming. The startup utilizes high-resolution satellite imagery and on-ground gas chambers to achieve these goals. By focusing on India, the world’s second-largest rice producer, Mitti Labs aims to address the imminent threats faced by Indian rice farmers due to climate change.
Laguarta and Dalal, along with CTO Nathan Torbick, conceptualized Mitti Labs after identifying the lack of specific solutions for rice farming. While sustainable agriculture has gained attention worldwide, rice farming has received less focus compared to other crops. To combat this, Mitti Labs collaborates with organizations like the Syngenta Foundation, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, and Ebro Foods to implement sustainable techniques, discourage stubble burning, and conserve water. These initiatives cover 30,000 hectares of rice farms and are expected to reduce 120,000 metric tonnes of CO2e emissions.
One unique aspect of Mitti Labs’ approach is its aim to help farmers increase their annual incomes by up to 30%. The startup achieves this by enabling farmers to earn money through carbon credits. By working with more than 40,000 smallholder farmers, Mitti Labs plans to embed sustainable agricultural practices and sell carbon credits on their behalf in the market.
Encouraging smallholder farmers to adopt new techniques can be challenging, as they often resist change. However, Mitti Labs provides continuous support and advice to farmers through its on-ground implementation partners. This approach ensures that the necessary behavior change is targeted and aligned with the farmers’ needs.
To measure the climate impact of rice farming, Mitti Labs utilizes a remote-sensing platform that combines synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery with satellite data. The SAR imagery, purchased from SAOCOM and Umbra, provides high-resolution measurements of water levels, soil moisture, and plant growth. Additionally, the startup uses greenhouse gas chambers to capture methane and nitrous oxide fluxes in the field. This data is then processed by third-party labs to calculate emissions.
In terms of carbon credits, Mitti Labs has collaborated with Cornell University, the International Rice Research Institute, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure accurate measurement practices. These efforts enable European and U.S. buyers to purchase carbon credits with confidence, further incentivizing sustainable rice farming.
While Mitti Labs currently works with Gold Standard for issuing carbon credits, it plans to expand to Verra as it scales its business. Although converting carbon credits into real money takes time, Mitti Labs aims for farmers to earn at least 70% of their farms’ revenues through sustainable practices.
With the success of its initial projects, Mitti Labs is poised to expand its presence. The startup has 10 more projects in progress and plans to enter markets in Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, India remains the company’s primary focus due to its strong passion for making an impact in the country.
While several startups are working towards sustainable farming in India, Mitti Labs stands out by specializing in rice farming. By being the best in this specific domain, Mitti Labs aims to maximize its impact and contribute significantly to global efforts in combating climate change.
Mitti Labs’ maiden funding round was co-led by Lightspeed and Voyager, with early support from Harvard Innovation Labs. This investment will enable the startup to scale its operations and continue revolutionizing rice farming for a more sustainable future.
