AgreenaCarbon, the soil carbon programme from Agreena, has opened for the fourth year, potentially offering growers an additional revenue stream.
More than a million hectares have been registered with the programme, with payments exceeding six million euros so far. Payments for adopting regenerative farming practices are currently set at 36 euros.
“Through regenerative practices — such as no-till, min-till, and the growing of cover crops — farmers can play a key role in the delivery of climate mitigation services and have an extremely powerful seat at the climate change table. Farmers need to be financially rewarded for providing these vital services and AgreenaCarbon does just that,” said Niels Vittrup, commercial director.
Those who sign up for the scheme agree to undertake various measures, including the use of cover crops and reducing soil disturbance. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon losses are then quantified via a third-party validated system before CO2 equivalence certificates are handed out.
The certificates can be kept, traded through the voluntary carbon market or sold on the farmer’s behalf through Agreena. An early payout option is also available, with funding provided before the certificates are issued.
“Farmers in the UK are facing unprecedented challenges, including economic and political uncertainty, changing weather patterns, and the reduction and eventual disappearance of the Basic Payment Scheme. AgreenaCarbon provides a vital additional income for farmers, ensuring their businesses are both profitable and environmentally sustainable,” said Agreena’s UK market lead, Thomas Gent.
“We now have hundreds of AgreenaCarbon farmers in the UK who have earned EU36 per carbon certificate from the 2022 harvest, and many more are about to benefit from the 2023 harvest.”
Nottinghamshire farmer John Miller has been a part of the scheme for two years now. He said: “One of the main reasons I joined the Agreena soil carbon programme in 2021 was that it was the only company that I thought was credible and whose carbon certificates would actually provide me with additional revenue at the end of harvest,” said Miller. “This is key as the voluntary carbon market continues to grow and evolve and I have complete confidence that Agreena will maintain its leadership position in this marketplace.”
For more information go to www.agreena.com
