Diageo India (United Spirits Ltd.), a leading beverage alcohol company, has announced a regenerative agriculture program in Telangana aimed at reducing carbon emissions and water use in its supply chain. Partnering with the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Diageo India will work with over 220 farmers across 15 villages in Telangana, covering over 500 hectares of land in the program’s first year, with plans to scale up in coming years.
Rice production accounts for 17% of India’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and as broken rice is a key raw material for Diageo, promoting sustainable farming methods can help the company achieve its goal of reducing scope 3 emissions. This program will equip smallholder farmers with training on sustainable practices, soil health management, efficient water use, and techniques to build economic and environmental resilience in local communities.
To cut emissions, Diageo has mapped key sourcing areas for broken rice and conducted lifecycle assessments to identify emission factors. The program promotes regenerative practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), direct rice seeding, and the system of rice intensification. For instance, AWD can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 39% and water use by 34%. These practices not only help to lower emissions but also improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce synthetic fertilizer use.
Jitendra Mahajan, Chief Supply and Sustainability Officer at Diageo India, noted, “This regenerative agriculture program supports smallholder farmers while building resilience in our supply chain. It’s a step forward in our journey to achieving ‘Grain to Glass Sustainability,’ part of our ‘Spirit of Progress’ ESG plan. We aim to reduce value chain (Scope 3) emissions by 50% and water use by 30%.”
Dr. G V Ramanjaneyulu, Executive Director of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, added, “Our partnership with Diageo India highlights the importance of resource-efficient farming for a sustainable future in rice production. Regenerative practices improve soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience, benefiting all stakeholders in the value chain.”
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