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Context

Rice cultivation is a significant contributor to climate change, responsible for nearly 1.5% of global GHG emissions and 48% of cropland-related emissions. It also consumes approximately 40% of the world’s freshwater resources while offering low water-use efficiency. In Bihar a predominantly agrarian state over 75% of the population is dependent on agriculture. Traditional farming practices, low-carbon tech inaccessibility, and policy fragmentation limit climate-smart adoption across the rice value chain.

Scope of Intervention

The SAVE project has aimed at decarbonising this value chain by embedding sustainable practices into state systems, enabling emissions tracking, and developing scalable models for rice farming and processing that are both economically viable and environmentally resilient.

Through the SAVE initiative, PCI India has assisted the Government of Bihar for developing a rice value chain decarbonisation strategy aligned with SDG 12 and SDG 13. The 12-month programme has aimed at bridging policy and practice by:

  • Developing and piloting immersion sites as Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for sustainable practices across the rice value chain
  • Introducing GHG emission tracking mechanisms using digital tools
  • Increasing awareness and access to government incentives among farmers, millers, and other value chain actors
  • Providing technical assistance, building local capacity, and generating policy insights

Program Lead & Collaborators

The Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar, has supported policy integration and mobilised outreach among farming communities

BREDA has promoted renewable energy adoption across agriculture-related MSMEs

The MSME Department has engaged rice mills and enterprises within the value chain to adopt energy-efficient practices

PCI India has led the initiative by driving strategy, field execution, stakeholder engagement, and policy support

Farmer groups, SHGs, and FPOs have served as primary adopters of climate-smart practices and decentralised renewable energy solutions

Private sector and technology partners have contributed digital GHG tracking systems, DRE solutions, and carbon market expertise 

What We Did

  • Co-creation and Strategy Development
  • Immersion Site Planning & Rollout
  • GHG Emissions Tracking System
  • Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC)
  • Knowledge Dissemination & Policy Integration 
Outcome
  • The initiative directly benefitted farmers, women workers, and MSMEs across 38 districts in Bihar.
  • Reduced GHG emissions from paddy fields by up to 21.5% and enhanced farmer incomes through input savings and access to subsidies.
  • Immersion sites demonstrated scalable, low-emission, and water-efficient technologies.
  • A digital system deployed to track emissions across key stages of the rice value chain.
  • Adoption of practices such as AWD, SRI, and solar DRE successfully promoted through SBCC platforms.