Grow Indigo secures USD 10 Mn from British International Investment to boost farmer income and climate resilience in India

Grow Indigo, India's leading science-based sustainable agritechstartgup, has raised INR 830 Million (approx. USD 10 Million) from British International Investment(BII), the UK's development finance institution and impact investor. This strategic funding will accelerate the expansion of Grow Indigo's transformative carbon farming business across India.

Speaking on this funding, Dr. Usha Barwale Zehr, Executive Director of Grow Indigo, said, "Regenerative agriculture is the future of farming, not only for improving soil health but also for creating improved livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers," Dr. Usha Barwale Zehr further added. "With this funding, we will accelerate farmer enrolment and scale carbon farming initiatives. Maintaining the integrity of the carbon credits generated is of utmost importance to us, and we will bring maximum value to farmers with our science-backed MRV offerings. We look forward to working with BII to further our common objectives."

Srini Nagarajan, Managing Director and Head of Asia at BII, said: "Rice, wheat, and maize are staple foods in India, cultivated by numerous smallholder farmers who are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. We are proud to support innovative businesses like Grow Indigo that address adoption barriers by harnessing the potential of carbon markets. This initiative not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances farmers' climate resilience and increases their incomes. This is aligned with the Government's policies to support regenerative practices."

Ambitious Growth and Impact Goals

Grow Indigo believes carbon farming has the potential to become one of India's largest agricultural export commodities by 2030, generating billions in additional income for smallholder farmers while significantly lowering the country's agricultural emissions.

With four carbon farming projects at different stages of development and the first carbon credits expected to be issued soon, Grow Indigo is positioned for rapid growth. The company aims to enroll millions of farmers and acres within the next two years.

Tackling Climate Change Through Agricultural Innovation

Agriculture contributes 14 percent of India's total greenhouse gas emissions—over 400 Million tonnes of CO₂ annually. Grow Indigo is addressing this challenge head-on through carbon farming, an agricultural practice that captures carbon in soils while reducing emissions.

The company promotes sustainable techniques such as direct seeded rice and no-tillage farming that deliver multiple benefits:

• Enhanced soil health and reduced erosion

• Preserved biodiversity

• Improved water efficiency

• Reduced manual labor, particularly benefiting women farmers

These interventions are crucial for decarbonizing rice, wheat, and maize production across India.

Creating New Income Stream for Smallholder Farmers

By encouraging farmers to adopt regenerative agricultural practices, Grow Indigo is creating a revolutionary income stream through soil carbon credits. These credits, generated from avoided greenhouse gas emissions, are sold to corporations seeking to meet sustainability goals. A significant portion of carbon credit revenue goes directly to participating farmers, improving their livelihoods.

With robust Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, Grow Indigo's carbon programs offer corporations a transparent, high-impact option to meet sustainability goals while supporting smallholder livelihoods. The company also partners with food and fashion companies to facilitate sustainable sourcing and reduce supply chain emissions.