January 21, 2025 | World Economic Forum |
Rice, a staple for over half the world’s population, also contributes 1.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, largely due to inefficient fertilizer use and methane from flooded paddies. With 90% of the world's rice grown in Asia, ASEAN nations are at the forefront of driving climate-smart solutions. Sustainable rice farming practices, such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), direct seeding, and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), have demonstrated significant potential to reduce emissions, enhance yields, and optimize water use.
Thailand, a global rice export leader, has taken bold steps to advance low-emission rice farming. Since 2018, the Thai Rice NAMA project has expanded from 500,000 to 750,000 hectares, integrating policy support, financial incentives, and farmer training to scale sustainable practices. However, logistical, technical, and financial barriers still limit full adoption. To further drive systemic change, Thailand has also joined the First Movers Coalition (FMC) for Food, leveraging aggregated procurement to increase demand for sustainable rice and encourage infrastructure investment. By scaling these innovations across ASEAN, nations can ensure food security while reducing agriculture’s climate impact, demonstrating that sustainable rice is both viable and in demand.
