Achieving long-term solutions to global issues means considering how entire ecosystems can be built in an inclusive, self-sustainable way. Through the AVPN APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 1.0 (APAC SSF 1.0), supported by Google.org and ADB, non-profit organisations like Water Stewardship Asia Pacific and Villgro are making strides toward this vision.
Case Example 1: Water Stewardship Asia Pacific
APAC SSF 1.0 grantee, Water Stewardship Asia Pacific, is an Australian based nonprofit organisation focused on protecting and enhancing “water stewardship,” a concept denoting the socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial use of water (UNIDO).
According to predictions, by 2030 irrigation-based economies interwoven with Australian river ecosystems are projected to worsen significantly. Water Stewardship Asia Pacific aims to tackle the global issue of water security and its many political and social impacts.
Water Stewardship Asia Pacific identified water verification as a key component to better understanding the data the water carried. In addition, they developed a beta pilot of DigitalWater, a digital platform that aims to provide accessible information for agricultural and social impact organisations looking to understand the Australian environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) landscape in order to be verified according to the International Standard for Water Stewardship. Over 600 agricultural workers took part in the pilot, and with the support from APAC SSF 1.0, Water Stewardship Asia Pacific was able to greatly improve their platform experience and verification system, enhancing the overall experience for all users.
Closed Ecosystem
Water Stewardship Asia Pacific created a system that could sustain itself. The organisation created incentives for irrigation workers, hospitality business, and policymakers in order to ensure that this was a solution that could grow in the long term. In creating this closed loop cycle of water stewardship, Water Steward Asia Pacific was able to facilitate enhanced irrigation systems, which leads to healthier water management programs and a sustainable, self-sufficient model for managing water resources. Looking forward, this type of solution can then be adapted and scaled to other regions facing similar challenges.
Case Example 2: Villgro’s Carbon Credit Initiative in Punjab
Villgro is an India-based incubator that supports innovative startups to solve critical issues in four key sectors – healthcare, agriculture, climate action, and gender inclusion. Their vision is to encourage and nurture businesses that have impactful, scalable solutions.
Punjab’s rice production covers about 20% of India’s rice market. However, the region’s soil has become damaged as a result of substantial emissions of harmful gases and build up of toxins due to the ongoing cycles of irrigation. Thus, Villgro decided to implement a system that not only alerted farmers when levels of biochemicals spiked but also one that maximised carbon credit initiatives in Punjab so that they could uplift and support fair working wages of agricultural workers.
Through support from the APAC SSF 1.0 and partnership with agritech startup Cultyvate, Villgro was able to cover the substantial upfront costs of setting up a system of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) sensors in Punjab and Kerala. The sensors were connected to a centralised platform that allowed farmers to be notified when indicators such as soil moisture, harmful gases, or energy consumption exceeded optimal range. In short, the farmers were able to quickly and
effectively adapt irrigation practices based on real-time data.
Closed Ecosystem
The data enabled farmers to drastically reduce water use and CO2 emissions, and tying this to carbon credits created an economic feedback loop, incentivizing farmers to utilise the technology and improve their earnings (during the program period participating farmers saw a 3.4% increase in their income). This increase was due to a collaboration with AGS Carbon Advisory, a leading carbon consulting firm. Through registering the carbon project under the Gold Standard methodology, this ensured the integrity of the carbon credits generated by the farmers’ adoption of AWD practices.
With the continued support of Google.org and ADB, AVPN is thrilled to be able to work with a second round of grantees for the APAC SSF 2.0. Additionally, the APAC Sustainability Solutions Lab (SSL) initiative will highlight both cohorts in their many achievements towards a sustainable, innovative future.
