MUMBAI, 9 December 2025: In a significant move to strengthen climate-smart agriculture in India, global food company Kellanova has partnered with Varaha, a leading carbon removal project developer in Asia, to launch a five-year insetting regenerative corn programme in Maharashtra. The initiative aims to bring 5,000 smallholder farmers and 12,500 acres of corn farmland under sustainable agricultural practices.
The project positions India as a key hub in Kellanova’s global sustainability roadmap, underscoring its commitment to regenerative sourcing and climate responsibility. By promoting farming methods that enhance soil health, optimise fertilizer use and improve crop productivity, the programme is expected to sequester and reduce nearly 100,000 tons of CO₂e emissions, directly lowering the company’s supply chain carbon footprint.
Unlike traditional offsetting efforts, the initiative adopts an insetting model, ensuring climate benefits occur within Kellanova’s own supply chain. The programme aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and recognised carbon standards, with Varaha deploying advanced digital MRV (Measurement, Reporting and Verification) systems to ensure transparency, accuracy and scientific integrity across every participating acre.
Beyond environmental impact, the programme is designed to support farmer livelihoods. Practices such as in-situ residue management, raised-bed sowing, cover cropping and improved nitrogen-use efficiency are expected to help smallholder farmers cut input costs, build healthier soils and increase crop resilience. The partners are also proactively addressing aflatoxin contamination—a major challenge in corn—by collaborating with scientific organisations and promoting improved farm management.
“We believe that a key to running a good business is doing good for our communities, planet and people,” said Shaughan Kennedy, Vice-President, AMEA Supply Chain, Kellanova. “Our collaboration with Varaha demonstrates that climate action and farmer prosperity can go hand in hand. Consumers increasingly expect responsibly sourced food, and this programme sets a strong example for the industry.”
Madhur Jain, Co-founder and CEO of Varaha, said the initiative reflects India’s leadership in regenerative agriculture. “With this project, we are combining strong science, advanced digital tools and deep farmer engagement to deliver measurable climate and livelihood impact.”
Built on a multi-stakeholder model involving farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, NGOs and scientific partners, the programme places regenerative corn at the heart of Kellanova’s sourcing strategy. As the company advances its Scope 3 emission reduction goals, the project sends a clear message to the global food industry: regenerative agriculture at scale is achievable, replicable and essential for a resilient food future.
