Tilda® published its 2025 Impact Report outlining a large-scale expansion of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) across its basmati rice supply chain in northern India. The irrigation method replaces continuous flooding with controlled drying cycles monitored through soil probes, aiming to reduce water use, methane emissions and energy demand during cultivation.
The report showed the program expanding from 50 farms in 2021 to 3,840 farms spanning more than 15,000 hectares. Tilda® reported results including up to 45% lower methane emissions, 36% fewer CO2e emissions per tonne of rice and billions of litres of irrigation water saved annually. The company also outlined bio-fertiliser trials with the University of Cambridge focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to reduce nitrous oxide emissions linked to synthetic fertiliser use.
For consumers and supply-chain stakeholders, the initiative demonstrates how large-scale rice production can reduce emissions and water consumption while improving yields and farmer incomes. The combination of AWD and bio-fertiliser research reflects a broader push toward science-led, lower-emission agricultural systems.
Scaled Wetting and Drying Practices
Tilda® Launches Its Alternate Wetting and Drying Program
Trend Themes
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Scaled Alternate Wetting and Drying — Widespread adoption of AWD across thousands of hectares creates potential for platform-based irrigation monitoring and analytics that redefine water and methane management in paddy systems.
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Bio-fertiliser Integration — Field trials coupling arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with reduced synthetic inputs open avenues for novel microbial-based product lines that transform fertilizer economics and emission profiles.
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Science-led Low-emission Agriculture — The emphasis on university partnerships and measurable emission reductions signals a shift toward evidence-driven farming models that could underpin certification, financing and performance-based procurement frameworks.
Industry Implications
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Irrigation Technology — Soil probe networks and AWD control systems present opportunities for sensor-to-cloud solutions that change how water utilities and equipment vendors deliver precision irrigation at scale.
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Rice Supply Chain Management — Traceable reporting of water use and greenhouse gas reductions introduces possibilities for differentiated sourcing, premium pricing and carbon-linked contracting across rice buyers and distributors.
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Agricultural Input Providers — Demand for bio-fertiliser and reduced-chemical regimes suggests room for companies to develop integrated microbial products and service bundles that alter input portfolios and farmer advisory models.