A new pilot project aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from rice farming has been launched in Suphanburi province, Thailand, through a collaboration between private companies and local stakeholders. The initiative promotes a climate-friendly cultivation technique known as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), designed to significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies.
WAVE BCG Company Limited, a subsidiary of WAVE Exponential Public Company Limited, has partnered with PTG Energy Public Company Limited to roll out a low-carbon rice farming project across 500 rai of land in Suphanburi. The effort centers on implementing the AWD method, which alternates wet and dry cycles during the rice-growing process. Unlike traditional practices where paddies remain continuously flooded, AWD limits anaerobic conditions that promote methane generation—one of the most potent greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential 25 to 28 times that of carbon dioxide.
The three-year initiative includes farmer training sessions and the introduction of a monitoring app, enabling participants to track water usage and emissions reductions. Data collected throughout the project will be used to apply for carbon credit certification under Thailand’s Voluntary Emission Reduction Program (T-VER), a national framework that incentivizes climate action through market-based mechanisms. Public consultations for the initiative were completed in Sam Chuk District on March 30, with local stakeholders expressing support for the environmental goals of the project.
Thailand’s agricultural sector ranks as the country’s second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, trailing only the energy sector. Rice cultivation is a major contributor, accounting for approximately 50 percent of agricultural emissions. In 2023, rice farming covered 61.9 million rai nationwide, with the northeastern region responsible for 62 percent of the total. According to estimates, around 10.6 million rai across the country are suitable for AWD implementation. Transitioning just one rai of farmland to this method can cut emissions by 0.3 to 0.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.
In addition to environmental benefits, proponents of AWD cite improvements in crop health and productivity. The intermittent drying periods enhance root development and nutrient uptake, which can lead to higher yields.
Officials from WAVE BCG, PTG Energy, and local agricultural agencies were present at the launch, emphasizing the project’s alignment with national sustainability goals and the broader push for climate-resilient farming practices in Thailand.
