Varaha

Last week, Varaha’s Co-Founder & CEO Madhur Jain participated in a panel discussion at the prestigious Milken Institute #GlobalConference in Los Angeles. Catch the recording here: https://lnkd.in/gxsPPYT3 The panel was moderated by Simon Winter (Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture) and Madhur was in conversation with Daniela Kandel (Evergreen Innovation Platform) Rini Greenfield (Rethink Food) Jake Cusack (CrossBoundary Group) Jake Levine (U.S. International Development Finance Corporation). “We help smallholder farmers transition to sustainable, climate-smart practices,” said Madhur. “We partner with leading organizations with feet on the street, and use science and tech to measure carbon reduction and sequestration. We have proven we can do this at scale – we’re already at close to 600,000 acres and growing rapidly.” Madhur shared more about our nature-based interventions, spanning regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, biochar, and enhanced rock weathering. Via systems financing, we are boosting smallholder incomes while delivering invaluable 'non-financial returns' across the SDGs, such as climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and water management. Madhur delivered a clear message to global business leaders in L.A: We need to heal nature at a massive scale to combat climate change!

🌳 Enhancing Biodiversity and Economic Stability in Sonbhadra 👨🌾 #Sonbhadra district, where the borders of #Chattisgarh, #Jharkhand, #MadhyaPradesh and #Bihar meet, is a region rich in cultural diversity and beauty. Home to the Kaimoor wildlife sanctuary and inhabited by the Gond community, this area has traditionally been a region for #Lac cultivation. However, the industry faced significant challenges, collapsing six years ago due to pollution. As a result, local farmers struggled with loss of income and reliance on the unproductive Butea monosperma, a host tree for the lac insect, only serving as a fuel wood now. Butea also has a tendency to proliferate in highly degraded areas and continuously appear despite the efforts of the farmers to remove them. #Varaha, with its mission to transform this area into a vibrant ecosystem acted as a hope on the horizon for this region. Varaha helped the farmers in planting multiple fruiting species, timber and forest trees to convert these  degraded lands dominated by Butea into a biodiverse region. This intervention provides an extra income to the farmers along with increasing the productivity of their lands. Deepening the challenges, the 5 villages under the project area faced a relentless battle against water scarcity. The inconsistent water supply threatened their crops and daily lives. Many farmers were forced to migrate to other states in search of better opportunities. Varaha plans on addressing this water crisis through rainwater harvesting which will provide a consistent source of water for the trees and the villager’s daily needs. The locals expertly grow Crotalaria juncea, also known as brown hemp or Indian hemp, and craft its fibers into natural rope. However, their efforts yield insufficient returns due to limited market access and awareness. Varaha is committed to providing the necessary support and training men and women in alternative livelihoods such as #apiculture and #vermiculture, empowering them to regain economic stability. Turning challenges into opportunities and creating a brighter future for the people of Sonbhadra. #uttarpardesh #impact #sustainability #womenempowerment #sustainability #biodiversity #carbonmarkets #climatechange #climatechangeaction

🎥 Couldn’t make it to CEEZER's latest webinar? Not to worry! Catch up on all the insights from an array of experts here: https://lnkd.in/eMT5mDAb Sincere thanks to our esteemed panel for sharing their insights: 👉 Antje-Susan Metz, Senior Manager, Group Partnering & Devices US at Deutsche Telekom 👉 Ikarus Janzen, Chief Commercial Officer at Varaha 👉 Spencer Meyer, PhD,  Chief Ratings Officer at BeZero Carbon 👉 Kathy Kearns, SVP Business Development at CEEZER Many thanks to Michael Dupee, CEO at Sustainable Brands, for hosting and moderating. #sustainability #climate #carbonremoval #webinar #CDR #VCM #voluntarycarbonmarket

🐘 A Journey Towards Coexistence in Jhapa In the Terai region of #Nepal, bordered by India's Bihar and West Bengal, lies Bahundagi village—a vital elephant corridor. Each year, elephants journey from Assam and West Bengal to the Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve, passing through Bahundagi. However, with increasing human settlements and decreasing food availability in the forests, human-elephant conflict has become a significant issue, with frequent incidents of elephants raiding cereal crops, leading to tragic losses on both sides. The local community's perception of this conflict varies. Some farmers have tried to coexist with elephants by planting crops that don't attract them, although this shift has been challenging due to lower profits compared to traditional cereal crops. Others are more antagonistic. The local government is actively working to mitigate this conflict by turning the challenge into an opportunity. They are constructing viewing platforms and encouraging wildlife tourism, alongside starting homestays with local community support. The goal is to shift negative perceptions by showcasing the benefits of elephant tourism. However, the initiative faces challenges, particularly in securing investment and training for a successful #ecotourism program. Amidst these efforts, an inspiring initiative has emerged—the "Friends of Elephants" (#FoE), a group of farmers dedicated to mitigating conflict with elephants and fostering a positive attitude. FoE members avoid planting crops that attract elephants, and in case of unavoidable losses, they share the burden collectively. This spirit of unity and understanding is rooted in the belief that coexistence is essential: "For elephants and us, this has been home for years. Elephants risk their lives for food, so it's better to find a way to coexist rather than live in eternal conflict," shared a member. At #Varaha, we are proud to support these efforts. We are promoting the cultivation of trees that don't attract elephants, significantly reducing conflict risks compared to rice or sugarcane cultivation. By providing additional revenue through #carboncredits, we aim to prevent farm abandonment and ensure the permanence of the #carbonsequestered by these trees. Additionally, we are actively engaging with the community, particularly women, to gain insight into the conflict from their perspective. By understanding the challenges and daily obstacles they face, Varaha aims to identify the core issues affecting the community. This comprehensive understanding will enable us to develop actionable solutions tailored to their needs. We have taken the initial steps toward real change, and we are committed to continuing this journey to bring meaningful and lasting improvements. Together, we're making strides towards a harmonious future for both the local communities and the elephants of Jhapa. #sustainability #regenerativeagriculture #carbonmarkets #biodiversity #netzero

Thrilled to see the impactful work our team is doing on the ground! 🌱 Reposting an inspiring update from our team who recently visited farmers in Warangal district, Telangana. Their dedication to exploring innovative and sustainable farming practices is truly commendable. From advanced irrigation techniques to organic farming methods, these conversations are paving the way for a brighter future in agriculture. At Varaha, we are committed to agricultural development and supporting our farming communities. By collaborating and implementing innovative solutions, we aim to build a resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem, ensuring food security and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers across the region. #SustainableAgriculture #FarmerEmpowerment #VarahaImpact #varaha #regenerativeagriculture #sustainability #smallholderfarmer

Smallholder farmers with big climate impact 🙌 For our next #UnboundShowcase, we had an insightful chat with key members from Varaha: Ikarus Janzen, CCO, Ankita Garg, COO, and Aditya Kajalia, Lead of Carbon Supply 🌱 Varaha stands at the forefront of global climate tech, specialising in nature-based solutions like regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and biochar projects. Their initiatives promote climate adaptation, biodiversity, water conservation, and increased income for smallholder farmers. Their mission? To harness agriculture as a powerful tool against climate change while boosting farmers' income 💵 Community impact beyond carbon sequestration🌳 🔹 Partnering with local NGOs and Farmer Producer Organisations to integrate marginalised communities into climate solutions. 🔹 Training and empowering female farmers to enhance self-reliance and climate resilience. 🔹 Educating over 120,000 smallholder farmers on regenerative agriculture and sustainable agroforestry, transforming over 600,000 acres of land. Designing offset programs with farmers in mind 🧑🌾 🔹 Helping farmers transition to regenerative agriculture. 🔹 Introducing agroforestry practices to boost livelihoods and restore land productivity. 🔹 Implementing projects to the highest scientific standards, backed by evidence and innovation. 🔹 Continuously updating practices based on the latest scientific research. Addressing and solving significant CDR challenges ⛰️ 🔹 Proving the credibility of CDR projects through rigorous carbon sequestration verification and adherence to scientific best practices. 🔹 Collaborating with governments, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities to establish standardised methodologies and share international best practices. 🔹 Advocating for strong policy support to ensure the success of CDR initiatives, emphasizing the need for regulatory frameworks and guidelines that incentivise CDR in Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs). We highly value the community's unique insights on the #CarbonDioxideRemoval space. We'd love to hear from you if you have a different perspective! Email us at marketing@unboundsummits.com or share your thoughts in the comments to be featured in a future #UnboundShowcase! 🎥 Unbound Summits connect innovators and accelerate climate action. Discover more about Varaha's unique approach to supporting farmers while scaling carbon removal at www.varaha.earth 👈 #ClimateAction #NetZero #CDR #VoluntaryCarbonMarket #CarbonRemoval #CarbonCredits #UnboundCommunity #DAC #Varaha #Farmer #India

🌱 We are thrilled to be featured in the latest #UnboundShowcase! 🌱 Thank you, Unbound Summits, for highlighting our efforts at #Varaha in advancing climate tech and supporting smallholder farmers. Our Chief Commercial Officer Ikarus Janzen, Chief Operating Officer Ankita Garg, and Lead of Carbon Supply Aditya Kajalia shared insights on our work in #regenerativeagriculture, #agroforestry, and #biochar projects. At Varaha, we believe in harnessing agriculture as a powerful tool against climate change while enhancing farmer incomes. Through partnerships with local NGOs and Farmer Producer Organisations, we integrate marginalised communities into climate solutions, empowering female farmers, and educating over 120,000 smallholder farmers on sustainable practices. We are committed to rigorous carbon sequestration verification, setting high standards for CDR projects, and advocating for strong policy support in Voluntary Carbon Markets. Join us in this journey towards a sustainable future! Discover more at www.varaha.earth #carbondioxideremoval #sustainability #climateaction #varaha #netzero

📢 Join us for a compelling discussion today on balancing risk and impact in the #carbonmarket! Our Chief Commercial Officer, Ikarus Janzen, will be joining industry leaders from Deutsche Telekom, BeZero Carbon, and CEEZER in a panel moderated by Sustainable Brands. Gain insights from the experts on managing #carboncredit quality and the associated risks, crucial for scaling and advancing impactful #climateaction. 📅 Date: Today 🕒 Time: 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT / 6:00 PM BST / 7:00 PM CEST/ 10:30 PM IST 👉🏼 Don't miss out! Register now: https://lnkd.in/dZ6rtk6n #paneldiscussion #sustainability #varaha #carboncredits #bezero #ceezer #deutschetelekom #sustainablebrands #naturebasedsolutions #nbs

🌿 Smallholder Farmers & Carbon Credits: Stories from the Fields Meet Sushila Khadka, a dedicated farmer from the lush hills of #Nepal. For much of her life, she has worked tirelessly on her plot, cultivating traditional crops like corn, oats, and finger millet. However, as many in her community began to abandon farming for other opportunities, Sushila faced a new challenge: neglected farms and the increasing threat of wild animals damaging their crops. Determined to find a sustainable solution, Sushila and her community looked for alternative income sources. Guided by a local FDCO involved in an #agroforestry project supported by Varaha and a nursery owner, they made a pivotal shift. Sushila began planting a variety of trees that sequester more carbon and deter wild animals. She also enrolled in Varaha's agroforestry carbon project, generating #carboncredits that offer an additional income stream. This initiative directly benefits farmers like Sushila, aligning long-term incentives and promoting sustainable practices. Sushila’s shift from traditional crop farming to agroforestry has not only benefited the environment but has also provided her with an additional source of income. Her dedication, coupled with the support of our initiative, has transformed her into a community leader. This journey has been economically advantageous and has raised awareness in her community about the importance of sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Join us in celebrating Sushila's inspiring journey and our commitment to empowering smallholder farmers through solutions like agroforestry,. 🌿🌍 #sustainableagriculture #agroforestry #carboncredits #communityleadership #varaha #empowerment #environmentalconservation #carbonmarkets #sustainability #voluntarycarbonmarkets #carbonemissions #emissionsequestration