South African Farmers To Earn From First Verified Carbon Credits Through UPL Corp’s CarbonSmart Programme
18 September 2025, Africa: UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp), a global provider of holistic and sustainable agricultural solutions, has reached a major milestone with its CarbonSmart programme. The first batch of 26,102 verified carbon credits will soon be issued to pilot farmers, following the successful registration of the initiative with Verra, the global standard for carbon credit certification.
CarbonSmart helps farmers adopt regenerative practices that improve soil health, cut emissions, and capture carbon in the soil. These efforts not only make farms more climate-positive but also provide farmers with a new income stream through carbon credits.
“Verra’s certification validates the scientific integrity of the CarbonSmart programme,” said Hein van der Merwe, Regional Head for Marketing and Business Development at UPL Corp Africa. “It’s a win for our farmers, our partner Orizon, and the environment. This milestone proves that sustainable farming can deliver real financial and environmental benefits”.
Developed in partnership with Orizon, CarbonSmart is one of only three projects globally to have credits approved under Verra’s VM0042 methodology for improved agricultural land management. “This achievement reflects the hard work of our team, the pioneering farmers involved, and our collaboration with UPL,” said Michael Lilje, CEO of Orizon. “UPL’s commitment to natural agricultural solutions has been key to helping farmers transition to regenerative practices. Together, we’re scaling impact, regenerating farmland, and advancing sustainability in agriculture.”
The first credits are based on measurable improvements in soil organic carbon across 2,884 hectares of maize cropland. Farmers achieved these results using reduced tillage, cover cropping, and UPL’s NPP biosolutions to boost soil health and carbon sequestration.
CarbonSmart is designed to put farmers first, with the majority of revenue from credit sales going directly to them. “This milestone proves that building a resilient agricultural sector doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment,” said Matthew Kensett, Specialised Agri Solutions and Intelligence Lead at UPL Corp Africa. “We’re proud to support farmers who are leading the way in climate-positive farming in South Africa.”
Looking ahead, UPL Corp plans to expand CarbonSmart beyond its pilot phase, working with food value chain partners to include new crops and regions. The initiative is a key part of UPL’s Gigaton Carbon Goal, which aims to remove one billion tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere by 2040.
Also Read: Escorts Kubota Introduces New Combine Harvester in North India
📢 If You’re in Agriculture, Make Sure the Right People Hear Your Story.
From product launches to strategic announcements, Global Agriculture offers unmatched visibility across international agri-business markets. Connect with us at pr@global-agriculture.com to explore editorial and advertising opportunities that reach the right audience, worldwide.
