Enhancing Sugarcane Farming for a Greener Future with ASQI Technologies

Introduction

Sugarcane farming, a cornerstone of agriculture, has a significant environmental footprint. At ASQI Technologies, we are committed to transforming this sector by promoting sustainable practices that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This post outlines our methodology for measuring, recording, and verifying GHG reductions in sugarcane farming, leveraging our advanced MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) platform.

Objectives

Our program aims to:

1. Recommend specific interventions in sugarcane farming to reduce GHG emissions.
2. Measure, report, and verify these GHG emission reductions.
3. Conduct necessary verification using remote sensing data and in-person visits.
4. Provide farmers with expert advice for effectively executing the GHG reduction program.
5. Collaborate with sponsors to secure financing and provide real-time visibility into the program’s progress and achievements.

Program Overview

Sponsor Engagement

Sponsors commit to supporting GHG reduction interventions in sugarcane farming. ASQI and its partners, such as Catalyst Management Services, will onboard farmers to our MRV platform. Farmers will enter their details, farm specifics, crop history, and current farming practices.

Farmer Commitment

Farmers pledge to implement the specified growing program detailed on the ASQI platform, receiving specific implementation guidelines. They will self-report their progress, while our platform integrates relevant satellite data to verify program execution. Physical verification will be conducted as needed, and all collected data will be accessible to the sponsor.

Interventions in Sugarcane Farming

1. Precision Farming in Fertilizer Application: Utilizing satellite data to monitor leaf nitrogen levels, we offer specific recommendations to reduce nitrous fertilizer use, benefiting the soil and lowering nitrous oxide emissions.
2. Drip Irrigation: Switching to drip irrigation significantly reduces water usage in sugarcane farming, which is highly water-intensive.
3. Precision Irrigation: Using satellite data for soil moisture tracking allows precise irrigation scheduling and amounts, optimizing water use.
4. Fertigation: Delivering fertilizers through drip irrigation reduces overall fertilizer consumption, enhancing crop and soil health.
5. Stubble Management: Avoiding the burning of sugarcane stubble significantly cuts down GHG emissions and air pollution.
6. Solar Pumps: Replacing diesel or grid electricity pumps with solar pumps for water lifting reduces GHG emissions.
7. Seed Treatment: Treating sugarcane seeds minimizes pesticide use, which will be tracked against baseline levels.

Estimated GHG Savings

Based on the available literature, we estimate the following GHG savings per acre:

• Solar Pump: 0.2–0.4 MT CO2-equivalent
• Stubble Management: 0.8–1.5 MT CO2-equivalent
• Other Interventions: 0.15–0.3 MT CO2-equivalent

These estimates will be refined with actual data during implementation, resulting in decarbonization certificates for sponsors’ reporting.

Beyond GHG Reduction

Our program also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting:

• Water conservation
• Air pollution reduction
• Improved soil health

These benefits will be translated into SDG certificates for sponsors’ reporting.

Sponsor Insights

Sponsors can monitor the program in real-time, accessing:

• Onboarding details of farmers and farms, including farmer KYC, farm location, and current irrigation systems.
• Progress reports on implementation and benefits, including GHG and water savings.
• Sustainability reports, both ongoing and final.
• An auditable track record of each decarbonization and SDG certificate for stakeholders such as management, lenders, investors, and auditors.

Join us at ASQI Technologies in pioneering a sustainable future for sugarcane farming, benefiting both the environment and the farming community.

Empowering Sustainable Sugarcane Farming with Advanced Technology and Precision Practices