In recent years, nature-based solutions have become essential in the fight against climate change. At Varaha, we are committed to promoting these solutions by investing in methodologies that enhance the lives of smallholder farmers and boost carbon sequestration. One innovative approach we are eager to highlight is Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW).
Varaha achieves permanent carbon sequestration through ERW at the lowest cost globally, thanks to our strategic partnership with quarries in India's Deccan Traps. As a developing country with fragmented farmlands owned by smallholder farmers, India presents a significant opportunity for ERW to improve livelihoods while combating climate change. With our extensive experience and scale in working with smallholders in India, Varaha is uniquely positioned to expand ERW across smallholder agricultural systems worldwide.
ERW not only just enhances carbon sequestration but also provides several co-benefits for farmers, such as increased crop yields that ultimately raise their revenue. Additionally, it improves soil health by increasing alkalinity and potentially reduces the need for fertilizers, thus lowering operational costs for smallholder farmers. Our onboarded farmers will elaborate on these benefits in detail in the coming sections.
Farmers such as Mohan and Naveen, along with laborers like Shantabai, exemplify the substantial impact of our initiatives in the Khargone district. We have already applied 6,000 tons of finely crushed basalt rock across 700 acres, benefiting 20 farming families. We aim to reach 250,000 MT by the end of this year. This ambitious goal is supported by our cutting-edge monitoring technology, a dedicated team of agrologists, geologists, and GIS experts, as well as our strategic partnerships with quarries in the Deccan Traps.