For Farmers · Carbon credits

Carbon credits and farmers: what to know

Trees store carbon as they grow, and carbon credits are often talked about as easy money. Here is how they really work, and what to check before you sign anything.

Up to 3× farm income through agroforestry · 85% survival, program-wide · 14 states across India

1 credit

= 1 tonne of CO₂

Measured

and verified first

Years, not months

before credits are issued

Fruit & timber

how our farmers earn

Quick answer

Can farmers earn carbon credits from trees in India?

Tree projects can earn carbon credits, but only through projects that follow an approved methodology, group many farms together and are independently verified, which usually takes several years after planting. In Grow Billion Trees programmes, farmers do not receive carbon income: they earn from the fruit and timber their trees produce, and keep that income.

For Farmers

Before you sign a carbon offer

Questions every farmer should ask.

Who owns the carbon?

Ask in writing who owns the trees, the carbon rights and any credits, and for how many years.

What exactly will you be paid?

Be careful of promises of quick or fixed carbon money; credits take years and prices change.

Carbon credit rates →

What do you have to do?

Carbon projects can require trees to stay standing for many years, with limits on cutting.

Who verifies it?

Real credits need an approved methodology and an independent verifier.

How our farmers earn

Fruit and timber income, in farmers' own words.

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See all films →

How a tree carbon project works

Five stages, over several years.

Project design
An approved methodology and many farms grouped together.
Plant and record
Every tree is geo-tagged at planting.
Grow and care
Trees are cared for and checked each season.
Verify
An independent verifier checks the carbon stored.
Issue credits
Credits are issued on a registry and can then be sold.

Questions from farmers

Do farmers in Grow Billion Trees programmes earn carbon income?

No. In our programmes, trees are funded by companies through CSR, and farmers earn from the fruit and timber their trees produce. They keep that income.

Can farmers earn carbon credits from trees in India?

It is possible through grouped projects that follow an approved methodology and are independently verified, but credits take several years and the income depends on the project agreement.

How long does it take to get carbon credits from trees?

Usually several years, because the trees must grow and be verified before any credits are issued.

Is a carbon offer that promises quick money real?

Be careful. Real tree carbon credits take years to be issued and their price changes; ask for the terms in writing before you sign.

What is the price of one carbon credit?

Prices vary by project type. See our carbon credit rate guide for current published averages.