GHG Reduction through Bamboo: Commercial Farming, Agroforestry, and Rehabilitation

At ASQI Technologies, we are dedicated to creating a more sustainable food ecosystem. Our latest initiative focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the use of bamboo in commercial farming, agroforestry, and as a cover crop. This post outlines our methodology for measuring, recording, and verifying GHG reductions through bamboo, showcasing our commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Objective

Our program aims to:

• Suggest specific interventions related to bamboo that can reduce GHG emissions.
• Measure, report, and verify these GHG emission reductions due to the interventions.
• Use remote sensing data and in-person visits for necessary verification.
• Provide advice to farmers on effectively executing the GHG reduction program using remote sensing data and expert inputs.
• Work with sponsors to source the finance for the program and provide real-time visibility of the program’s progress and achievements.

Overall Plan

Partnership and Onboarding

1. A sponsor will sign off on the program for GHG reduction interventions related to bamboo usage in either commercial farming, agroforestry, or rehabilitation.
2. ASQI, in collaboration with partners like Catalyst Management Services, will onboard farmers onto our MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) platform. Farmers will update their details, farm history, and current farming practices.

Pledge and Implementation

1. Farmers will pledge to undertake specific interventions related to bamboo on the ASQI platform, which will outline the agreed-upon implementation specifics with the sponsor.
2. Farmers will self-report their program implementation.
3. ASQI’s platform will verify the execution of the program using satellite data and in-person visits as needed. All collected data will be accessible to the sponsor.

Outline of the Program

Bamboo cultivation significantly reduces GHG emissions through its high sequestration of atmospheric carbon, both above-ground and below-ground. Below-ground sequestration is independent of the bamboo plant’s end-use, while above-ground sequestration varies depending on the post-harvest use of the bamboo.

Sustainable Agriculture Uses of Bamboo

1. Commercial Cropping for Harvesting: Bamboo sequesters carbon at a much higher rate than other crops, translating into substantial GHG savings.
2. Soil Rehabilitation in Degraded Farms: Bamboo grows with minimal inputs like fertilizer, sequesters significant carbon in the soil, and helps prevent erosion. Its adaptability to various soil types makes it ideal for land rehabilitation.
3. Intercropping with Existing Commercial Crops: Bamboo can be grown alongside other crops without an immediate need for harvesting, enhancing carbon sequestration.

Estimated GHG Savings

Based on the publicly available literature, the expected range of GHG savings for each intervention is as follows:

1. Commercial Crop and Rehabilitation Below Ground: 2.5–4.0 MT of CO2-equivalent per acre per year (assuming only bamboo on the entire farm).
2. Commercial Crop and Rehabilitation Above Ground: 1.5–3.0 MT of CO2-equivalent per acre per year (assuming only bamboo on the entire farm) if the harvested crop is used in long-duration products.
3. Intercropping: 0.5–1.0 MT of CO2-equivalent per acre per year (assuming moderate intercropping and no harvesting of bamboo).

These estimates are based on assumptions regarding the use case, other crops (in the case of intercropping), and the end-use of harvested bamboo. During implementation, actual data will refine these estimates, which will then be converted into decarbonization certificates for sponsor reporting.

Bamboo Farming