Who Develops Soil Carbon Credit Projects?
Soil carbon credit project developers are specialized firms that help agricultural landowners monetize the carbon sequestered through regenerative farming practices. These developers handle the complex process of methodology selection, baseline measurement, MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification), and credit issuance through registries like Verra, Gold Standard, or the Climate Action Reserve.
The sector has matured significantly since 2020, with the voluntary agriculture carbon credit market reaching $36.1 million in 2024 and projected to grow to $648 million by 2034 at a 31.9% CAGR, according to GM Insights.
How Soil Carbon Programs Work
Developers typically contract with farmers or ranchers to implement practice changes — such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, improved grazing management, or organic fertilizer application — that increase soil organic carbon (SOC). The developer then quantifies the carbon sequestered using approved methodologies and issues credits through a third-party registry.
- Verra VM0042 (Improved Agricultural Land Management)
- The most widely adopted methodology for cropland soil carbon. Used by Agreena, eAgronom, and others. Quantifies GHG reductions and SOC removals from practice changes including tillage reduction, cover crops, and residue management.
- Climate Action Reserve Soil Enrichment Protocol
- Used by Indigo Ag for the largest U.S. agricultural carbon program. Covers over 7 million acres with nearly 1 million credits issued.
- Australian Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF)
- GreenCollar operates 200+ projects across 10 million hectares under this government-backed framework, making it the largest nature-based carbon abatement provider in Australia.
Key Market Players
Indigo Ag operates the largest registry-approved agricultural soil carbon program in the U.S., with over 7 million acres enrolled and nearly 1 million credits issued. Farmers receive 75% of the weighted sale price per credit.
Boomitra, a 2023 Earthshot Prize winner, uses AI-powered satellite remote sensing to measure soil carbon without physical sampling — reducing measurement costs by 99%. The company works with 100,000+ farmers across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, covering 5 million acres and claiming 10 million tonnes of CO₂ removed.
Agreena secured Verra registration for the first large-scale arable farming project under VM0042, spanning multiple European countries from Ukraine to Spain, with 2.3 million verified carbon credits.
Agoro Carbon Alliance, backed by Yara International, secured a landmark 12-year agreement with Microsoft to deliver 2.6 million soil carbon removal credits from U.S. farms.
Choosing a Developer
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Registry | Verra VCS, Gold Standard, CAR, or government-backed programs (e.g., Australian ERF) |
| MRV Approach | Direct soil sampling, remote sensing, biogeochemical modeling, or hybrid approaches |
| Payment Structure | Per-credit revenue share vs. fixed per-acre payments; upfront vs. performance-based |
| Contract Term | Typically 5–10 years with permanence obligations |
| Minimum Acreage | Ranges from no minimum to 500+ acres depending on developer |