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Biman Mukherji

As rising temperatures and devastating storms reshape the landscape, Asia’s rice farmers are embracing innovation like never before.
By marrying traditional cultivation with advanced digital tools, they are striving to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change by transforming rice production into a sustainable and profitable venture.
From the boundless fields of India to the bustling paddies of Vietnam and Thailand, a revolution is brewing, driven by the pressing need to combat methane emissions and improve water management.
These innovative practices not only mitigate environmental impacts but also “increase crop yields, lower input costs, and provide farmers access to carbon markets, boosting incomes”, said Jaime Adams, co-lead of the US Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (Aim for Climate) on the sidelines of Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
This transformation is especially critical in a region that produces over 80 per cent of the world’s rice, a staple for half the global population.

At the ongoing UN climate summit in Baku, Aim for Climate unveiled its report “Cultivating Transformative Investments in Climate – Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Innovation”, offering a road map for scaling sustainable rice practices through strategic partnerships and investments.
The summit has brought together agriculture and climate ministers, ensuring that innovations like sustainable rice production methods receive the attention and support they deserve, Adams told This Week in Asia.
She stressed the importance of mobilising resources and fostering partnerships to facilitate the adoption of such practices.
Farmers across the region are increasingly recognising the urgent need for sustainable solutions as climate change wreaks havoc on rice-growing areas, exacerbated by deadly heatwaves and typhoons.

The Aim for Climate report advocates for integrating climate-smart innovations into nationally determined contributions - commitments made by UN member states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - to encourage adoption and investment in sustainable technologies.
Techniques such as low-emission rice cultivation and alternate wetting and drying are gaining traction, while the use of organic fertilisers is enhancing soil health, Adams said.
Experts say implementing climate-friendly practices can increase soil carbon levels, which can be monitored, verified, and sold on voluntary carbon markets, providing farmers with additional income.
With water-intensive rice cultivation accounting for around 8 per cent of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, reducing methane – which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide – has never been more urgent.

“In Asia, where rice production significantly contributes to methane emissions, adopting these practices mitigates climate impacts while ensuring food security for millions,” Adams said.
The significance of sustainable agriculture is dawning on farmers in the region, where initiatives like Neorice are combining organic farming techniques with digital tools to harmonise environmental and economic goals.
In Vietnam, AHA Agrochem JSC has introduced Neorice, with CEO Nguyen Khoa noting that only a small percentage of Asia’s rice cultivation is “truly sustainable”.
“While there are efforts to improve, most rice farming still relies heavily on chemicals and traditional practices that harm the environment,” Khoa said. “Our goal with Neorice is to change this by offering a fully organic, low-emission method that’s easy for farmers to adopt and can be scaled up across the region.”
This technique has the potential to meet global rice demand while offering yields comparable to, or even exceeding, traditional methods. Khoa added that organisations and governments are “starting to see the value of sustainable methods”.

Rice job
With more than 90 per cent of the world’s rice produced and consumed in the Asia-Pacific, the region’s ability to meet global demand hinges on sustainable practices. Rice is also a crucial component of state-run food distribution programmes for the impoverished.
Last year, climate-related disruptions and India’s export restrictions drove rice prices to their highest levels in 15 years. However, this season’s bountiful monsoon rains have prompted New Delhi to lift its restrictions, providing some much-needed relief.
Aim for Climate has cultivated a growing network of more than 800 partners, uniting governments, research institutions, and private-sector leaders in the push for climate-friendly agriculture, Adams said.
“These partnerships are driving the adoption of practices like sustainable rice production by providing funding, technology, and policy support,” she added. “Together, they are ensuring that innovations discussed at Cop29 translate into measurable progress on the ground.”
As Asia’s rice farmers navigate the complexities of climate change, their commitment to sustainability could redefine the future of agriculture in a world increasingly desperate for resilient solutions.


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From India to Vietnam, a new wave of innovation is transforming traditional rice farming into a resilient and eco-friendly industry


From India to Vietnam, a new wave of innovation is transforming traditional rice farming into a resilient and eco-friendly industry.


Future-proofing rice: how Asia’s farmers are innovating against climate odds

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From India to Vietnam, a new wave of innovation is transforming traditional rice farming into a resilient and eco-friendly industry

From India to Vietnam, a new wave of innovation is transforming traditional rice farming into a resilient and eco-friendly industry