When exploring critical environmental issues and resource-related concerns, data and AI can play a catalytic role in adapting age-old practices. Here’s how the AVPN’s APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 1.0 (APAC SSF 1.0), supported by Google.org and ADB, is making ripples within the agriculture and irrigation industry.
Case Example 1: Coalition for our Common Future (COCF)
COCF is a nonprofit organisation aiming to mitigate climate change by facilitating knowledge sharing through the creation of a platform called the Common Carbon Protocol. With the primary goal to increase the number of Green House Gas (GHG) mitigation projects in Asia, Common Carbon Protocol addresses a crucial information gap: common challenges encountered by agricultural infrastructure. Sharing knowledge on common challenges accelerates finding solutions and scaling them.
The platform that COCF has created integrates user-created methodology to provide an open source knowledge sharing platform for any researcher, nonprofit, or individual to learn more about the current resources and systems that already exist. They integrated two key technologies: Carbon Calculator (CAL), which assists in simplifying complex carbon equations, and the Carbon Impact Map (CIM),international technologies and ongoing projects mitigating climate change.
This type of approach has great benefits when it comes to bridging the gap between unique solutions from larger organisations and younger NPOs who may not have the resources or experience. The platform therefore ensures that organisations looking to begin GHG mitigation projects, especially smaller or early stage organisations, do not have to start from scratch but rather leverage existing infrastructure, resources and learnings.
Case Example 2: Water Stewardship Asia Pacific
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 their 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.
Thus, Water Stewardship Asia Pacific has identified water verification as a key component to better understanding the data our water carried and 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.
The results of the pilot? 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.
Case Example 3: Villgro’s Carbon Credit Initiative in Punjab
Villgro is an incubator that supports innovative startups to solve critical social problems. Their vision is to encourage and nurture businesses that offer impactful,scalable solutions.
Punjab’s rice production covers about 20% of India’s rice market. When they observed significant soil damage in the area, as a result of harmful gases and environmental detriment produced during the irrigation process, Villgro knew that something needed to change.
Thanks to support they received from the _APAC SSF 1.0 _and their partnership with agritech startup Cultyvate, Villgro was able to set up Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) sensors in Punjab and Kerala and offset substantial upfront costs with integrating the technology. Their platform allowed farmers to be notified when certain data indicators such as soil moisture, harmful emitted gases, or energy consumption were out of the optimal range. In short, they integrated technology in a way that enhanced the irrigation worker’s performance and confidence.
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 Solutions Lab (SSL) initiative will highlight both cohorts in their many achievements towards a sustainable, innovative future. Read more about this initiative here.
