Green Carbon Inc.Representative Director: Jun Okita, hereinafter referred to as Green Carbon) is pleased to announce the commencement of a collaboration with CLP Engineering CO., LTD. (Representative: Ms.Vachara Leegomonchai), a manufacturer of rice mills and agricultural machinery in Thailand. This collaboration is focused on a methane reduction project through water management in the paddy fields of CLP Engineering CO., LTD.’s contracted farmers. The project was initiated with a demonstration on the company’s owned fields of approximately 20 hectares in February 2024, and based on the results, we plan to expand the project nationwide in Thailand.
◆ Background of the Partnership
We are actively promoting and expanding methane emission reduction projects in rice fields across the Southeast Asian region through collaborations with universities, research institutions, and local partners in each country.
The collaboration with CLP Engineering CO., LTD. began with discussions on project development in Thailand following our participation in the ‘Thailand Space Week 2023,’ organized by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) in October 2023.
In this partnership, we aim to implement the AWD project in the paddy fields of CLP Engineering’s contracted farmers. The demonstration will commence on the company’s owned fields, covering approximately 20 hectares, starting in February 2024. Based on the results, our goal is to expand the adoption of the project to contracted farmers across Thailand.
◆ Project Overview
The project aims to reduce methane gas emissions from paddy fields using a method called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). Specifically, this involves alternately flooding and drying the paddy fields every few days to suppress the activity of bacteria in the soil that generate methane gas, thereby reducing methane emissions.
CLP Engineering CO., Ltd. will be responsible for securing the demonstration field, as well as the operation, management, and development of water level and methane gas measurement devices for this project.
・ Scenes from the visit to CLP Engineering CO., LTD.
・ Photographs of the Planned Demonstration Site
◯ Implementation Concept of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) involves maintaining the water level in the paddy fields based on specific criteria, alternating between flooding and natural drying every few days. Compared to continuous flooding, AWD allows for a reduction in water usage, contributing to the conservation of water resources.
- Image of water level fluctuations during the implementation of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
◆ Economic Value and Potential Reduction in Thai Paddy Fields
The total area of paddy fields in Thailand is approximately 9 million hectares, which is about five times that of Japan. If AWD is implemented in all paddy fields across Thailand (considering the common practice of multiple cropping), an estimated reduction of around 36 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions is anticipated. When converted to carbon credit prices, this would generate an economic value of approximately 36 billion yen, which is around 240million USD.
※1 Calculated based on a reduction of 4 tons of CO2 equivalent per hectare of paddy field.
※2 Calculated at a rate of 1,000 yen per ton.”
◆ Introduction to CLP Engineering CO., Ltd.
CLP Engineering, headquartered in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand, is a manufacturer of rice mills and agricultural machinery. The company began its journey by supplying components to automotive and motorcycle manufacturers and has since evolved to have a research and development team, continuously developing products to meet the needs of domestic and international customers. CLP Engineering also focuses on the efficient production of rice in Thailand and the construction of environmentally friendly systems.