India is stepping up efforts to develop agricultural carbon markets, expand access to carbon credits and promote climate-smart agriculture, as new government-backed resources seek to strengthen environmental safeguards and help farmers participate in climate finance.

Announced on Oct. 12 at the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit 2026 in Srinagar, the three publications were developed by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, the International Institute for Environment and Development and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative.

India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare endorsed the initiative, with one framework set to guide risk management for agricultural projects under the country’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme.

The package includes an environmental and social management framework, a guidebook explaining carbon markets to farmers and a toolkit covering international cooperation under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.

Together, the resources aim to improve project oversight, clarify participation requirements and help governments establish credible carbon-trading arrangements.

The announcement follows tangible progress in India’s carbon farming sector. In September, the government announced that more than 2,500 farmers in Punjab and Haryana would receive a combined 29 million rupees in payments linked to verified soil-carbon and emissions-reduction activities.

India notified its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme in 2023, establishing a foundation for domestic carbon trading. Agriculture could help attract financing for improved soil management, water conservation and lower-emission farming.

Growth will depend on credible emissions measurement, transparent revenue-sharing and safeguards against environmental or social harm. For smallholders, the opportunity is meaningful only if participation is accessible and financial benefits are fairly distributed.

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