Explainer Environment

A less damaging way to grow rice?

Name: A less damaging way to grow rice?
Uploaded: 2021-02-24T10:38:36.453Z
Duration: 2 min 27 s
Channel: Financial Times
Description: Traditional rice farming consumes up to a third of the world’s freshwater supplies

Traditional rice farming consumes up to a third of the world’s freshwater supplies, and accounts for the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as the entire aviation industry, pre-pandemic. New strains of rice and a new farming method could help combat the problem, but convincing farmers and governments of the benefits they offer remains a challenge

February 24, 2021

Produced by Alpha Grid

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In developing countries alone, more than three and 1/2 billion people depend on rice for more than 20 per cent of their calories. But traditional rice farming uses up to a 1/3 of the world's fresh water supplies and produces harmful greenhouse gases, as much as the entire aviation industry before the pandemic. A key problem is methane production due to the custom of keeping fields flooded during the growing season. The gas is a significant contributor to global warming, with rice cultivation the second biggest agricultural source after livestock.

Researchers are currently working to generate new high yield varieties that can be seeded directly into dry ground. A new farming method for paddy fields could also reduce both water use and greenhouse gas emissions. It alternates wetting and drying rather than always keeping paddies flooded. Far less methane is produced when fields are drained and organic matter isn't left to rot underwater.

Farmers are also being encouraged in the use of practises, such as laser land levelling, which produces flatter paddies. These in turn allow farmers to reduce their use of both water and fertiliser. Aid group, the Sustainable Rice Platform, which promotes the wetting and drying method, started in 2015 and has grown to 500,000 farmers across 21 countries today. It says pilot projects have on average reduced water by 20 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent.

But these projects cover less than one per cent of rice production worldwide and persuading significant numbers of farmers and governments to commit to environmental and cost efficiencies will take time. Rice is not internationally traded to the same extent as other food products. As a result, it has attracted less attention from pressure groups concerned with workers' rights and the environment. But as demand for rice grows along with the world's population and with sustainability rising up companies and governments agendas, the commodities carbon footprint is gradually coming into focus.