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Microsoft has partnered with Indian startup Varaha to acquire over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits by 2029, focusing on converting cotton crop waste into biochar sourced from smallholder farmers in Maharashtra. Varaha plans to build 18 gasification reactors over 15 years, aiming to remove over 2 million tons of CO2 while enhancing soil quality and providing economic benefits to farmers. This initiative supports Microsoft's commitment to becoming carbon-negative by 2030 amid rising emissions from its expanding AI and cloud operations.