Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
A simple way to grow paddy with less water and lower methane emissions.
What is AWD?
Instead of keeping a paddy field flooded all the time, AWD lets the water level drop for some days before the field is irrigated again.
Continuously flooded paddy releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, because the waterlogged soil has no oxygen. The dry spells in AWD let air back into the soil, which cuts methane. They also reduce the number of irrigations a farmer needs.
How AWD works in the field
Typical guidance. Our field team adapts it to your soil, variety and water source.
- Set up a water tubeA perforated plastic pipe is pushed into the soil so the farmer can see the water level below the surface.
- Flood, then let it dryKeep the field flooded after transplanting, then stop irrigating and let the water level fall.
- Irrigate at the markWhen the water drops to about 15 cm below the soil surface, irrigate again and repeat the cycle.
- Keep water at floweringHold the field flooded around flowering, when the crop needs water most.
Why farmers and the climate gain
Lower costs on the farm, lower emissions in the air.
For farmers
- Less irrigation water used per season
- Lower pumping cost where water is lifted by motor
- Yields are generally maintained when AWD is done correctly
- Field support and training from our team
- A route into carbon credit programmes
For the environment
- Lower methane emissions from paddy fields
- Water saved for other uses and for the future
- Less pressure on groundwater and canals
- Healthier soil as drying and wetting alternate
- A practical climate action farmers can do themselves
Is AWD right for my field?
It needs control over irrigation
AWD works where the farmer can start and stop irrigation and drain or hold water. Fields with unreliable water supply or heavy rain at key stages may need adjustments. Speak to our field team and we will check your field before you decide.
What SGS does
We register farmers, train them, visit fields and keep clear records so results can be reported to partners.
AWD can also be part of a carbon programme. Read how carbon credits benefit farmers and partners.