Building Regenerative Agri-Net Zero Model: Bridging Corporate Responsibility and Farmers’ Sustainability through Climate Action Strategies

Özet

Climate change is accelerating threats to global food and nutritional security, placing unprecedented strain on livelihoods of farming community. Intensifying biotic and abiotic stress are undermining crop productivity, while the soaring costs of cultivation compound the vulnerability of small and marginal farmers—the backbone of the agricultural workforce. Despite widespread recognition of these challenges, scalable, ecosystem-aligned technological interventions that are socially acceptable and economically viable remain elusive. Agri-Net Zero is a top climate action strategy that transforms agricultural landscapes into dynamic carbon sinks while directly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By integrating regenerative practices with economic and social benefits, it not only drives net zero compliance but also enhances ecosystem resilience and rural livelihoods.

In response, the IBM-IORF Sustainability Accelerator initiative has piloted a climate-resilient Agri-Net Zero model across two agro-ecosystems in India by integrating Inhana Rational Farming (IRF)—a nature-based, regenerative farming framework. IRF eliminates chemical pesticide use, minimizes N fertilizer inputs, restores soil health and enhances plant resilience through targeted physiological interventions .

The outcomes of regenerative, coconut-based integrated farming systems are transformative:  a 30% increase in crop yield, 20% improvement in nutrient use efficiency, up to a 60% transition to renewable energy use, 40% boost in farm income, 17% growth in rural employment, and carbon mitigation  potential of up to 250 metric tons of CO₂e per hectare. These results, independently verified through third-party audit, led to India’s first Agri-Net Zero certification by iNoCarbon, UK. Crucially, innovations such as coir pith recycling and nitrogen input optimization simultaneously advance soil carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This model presents a compelling case forcorporate Net Zero ambitions with the sustainability of farming communities, delivering measurable social and environmental co-benefits while directly addressing seven crucial UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Strategic investment in such regenerative transitions can empower farmers as pivotal actors in the global response to climate change.