Thai Rice Farming Pilot Demonstrates Scalable Methane Reductions and Profit Gains with AWD System
Alternate Wetting and Drying demonstrations in Thailand show measurable greenhouse gas cuts and stronger farm economics in preparation for broader carbon credit markets
A series of demonstration projects in Thailand has shown that the Alternate Wetting and Drying irrigation technique can significantly cut methane emissions from rice cultivation while enhancing yields and farm incomes, according to newly released results from a comprehensive field report.
The projects, led in cooperation with local farmers, universities and environmental specialists, focused on applying AWD in paddy fields across multiple regions, monitoring methane directly and evaluating its effects on productivity and profits.
Early measurement data indicate that AWD reduced methane emissions by roughly fifty per cent compared with conventional continuous flooding practices, providing robust evidence of its climate mitigation potential in a sector responsible for a large share of Thailand’s agricultural greenhouse gases.
At the same time, the technique was associated with modest increases in rice yields and reduced water use, while participating farmers reported higher net incomes due to lower irrigation costs and improved crop performance.
Farmer surveys conducted alongside the technical measurements showed strong acceptance of the AWD approach, with many expressing a willingness to continue its use and citing both environmental and economic benefits.
The demonstrations form part of a larger effort to develop scalable, nature-based climate solutions linked to Thailand’s evolving carbon credit frameworks, including the voluntary Premium T-VER system and international mechanisms such as the Joint Crediting Mechanism.
Organisers say that the combination of verified emissions reductions and farmer profitability positions AWD as a credible candidate for larger-scale deployment, potentially covering up to tens of thousands of hectares and generating tradable carbon credits under both domestic and international markets.
Thailand’s role as a major rice producer heightens the significance of these outcomes, as methane emissions from rice paddies constitute a substantial component of the country’s climate commitments.
With policy support expanding for sustainable water and cultivation practices, stakeholders are exploring pathways to integrate AWD into broader agricultural decarbonisation strategies that can benefit farmers while contributing to national and global climate objectives.
The projects, led in cooperation with local farmers, universities and environmental specialists, focused on applying AWD in paddy fields across multiple regions, monitoring methane directly and evaluating its effects on productivity and profits.
Early measurement data indicate that AWD reduced methane emissions by roughly fifty per cent compared with conventional continuous flooding practices, providing robust evidence of its climate mitigation potential in a sector responsible for a large share of Thailand’s agricultural greenhouse gases.
At the same time, the technique was associated with modest increases in rice yields and reduced water use, while participating farmers reported higher net incomes due to lower irrigation costs and improved crop performance.
Farmer surveys conducted alongside the technical measurements showed strong acceptance of the AWD approach, with many expressing a willingness to continue its use and citing both environmental and economic benefits.
The demonstrations form part of a larger effort to develop scalable, nature-based climate solutions linked to Thailand’s evolving carbon credit frameworks, including the voluntary Premium T-VER system and international mechanisms such as the Joint Crediting Mechanism.
Organisers say that the combination of verified emissions reductions and farmer profitability positions AWD as a credible candidate for larger-scale deployment, potentially covering up to tens of thousands of hectares and generating tradable carbon credits under both domestic and international markets.
Thailand’s role as a major rice producer heightens the significance of these outcomes, as methane emissions from rice paddies constitute a substantial component of the country’s climate commitments.
With policy support expanding for sustainable water and cultivation practices, stakeholders are exploring pathways to integrate AWD into broader agricultural decarbonisation strategies that can benefit farmers while contributing to national and global climate objectives.
