13 March 2026 - Written by Jon Calland
We’re proud to announce that Tilda has been named Winner of the Supply Chain Sustainability Project of the Year at the prestigious edie Awards. This recognition belongs first and foremost to the farmers in our supply chain and to our teams in India who walk the fields alongside them every season, working together to reduce the climate impact of rice cultivation while strengthening farmer livelihoods.
Rice cultivation is one of the most emissions-intensive stages in the food supply chain, largely due to flooded fields, fertiliser use, and energy demands. Addressing these impacts requires meaningful change at farm level — where environmental progress must go hand in hand with farmer productivity, resilience, and income.
Our award-winning programme was built through close collaboration with farmers, combining local knowledge with practical support to deliver measurable emissions reductions while enabling more efficient and resilient growing practices.
Tilda’s initiative brings together scientific research and hands-on, in-field support delivered by dedicated local teams in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, India. By working directly with farmers throughout each growing season, the programme helps translate sustainability goals into practical actions on the ground.
Through ongoing agronomic guidance, training, and access to improved inputs and equipment, farmers are supported to adopt lower-impact cultivation methods, including:
Alternate Wet and Dry irrigation techniques to reduce methane emissions
Integrated Pest Management to minimise reliance on chemical pesticides
Improved crop management practices that reduce water and energy use
Participation is voluntary, with farmers supported through advisory services and incentives that encourage long-term adoption without restricting how or where they sell their crops.
Since launching as a pilot in 2021, the programme has expanded rapidly and is now active across the majority of Tilda’s Indian basmati supply chain — made possible by the commitment and leadership of participating farmers and field teams.
Results to date include:
24% less fertiliser use
18% lower irrigation water use per tonne of rice
27% lower energy consumption
Farms producing around one-third less CO₂e per tonne of rice
Independent analysis using recognised farm-level greenhouse gas measurement tools confirms that these improvements are delivering meaningful climate benefits while strengthening farm economics through higher yields and improved income stability.
The edie Awards judges praised the initiative as:
“A great programme showing how good environmental management can help deliver economic benefits as well.”
This award recognises what can be achieved through long-term partnership — farmers, field teams, and sustainability experts working side by side to drive real change.
Together, we will continue expanding the programme and investing in innovation across our supply chain as we work towards a lower-carbon future for rice and a more sustainable food system for generations to come.