IRRI Calls For Collective Action As Rice Faces Mounting Global Pressures

Barnama

a day ago

Farmers continue to face multiple challenges to produce the much sought-after rice in the world. Photo credit: IRRI, Philippines.
By Vijian Paramasivam
PHNOM PENH, June 11 (Bernama) -- The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is urging rice-producing nations to take bold, collective action to address the growing environmental and sustainability challenges in rice cultivation, a staple crop that remains essential to millions worldwide.
Unveiling its 2025-2030 strategy on Monday, the Philippines-based institute said despite advancements, rice cultivation still accounts for 1.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 30 per cent of the world's freshwater resources.
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'Rice feeds more than half the world's population, but its potential as a climate and development solution remains underleveraged. Our future depends on how we grow, consume and govern rice.
'This strategy is our call to partners everywhere—let's act together, with urgency and ambition, to ensure rice remains a force for good in a changing world,' said IRRI Director General Dr Yvonne Pinto.
The new vision comes at a time when farmers worldwide are facing a host of challenges, including the impacts of climate change, the loss of fertile land to rapid urbanisation, concerns over food safety, and increasing water scarcity.
According to IRRI, rice feeds over four billion people and supports 150 million farmers across 100 countries. The RM1.4 trillion (US$332 billion) rice industry is the world's third most traded commodity and a growing global market.
IRRI's strategy seeks to tackle pressing global issues ranging from food price volatility and climate-related pressures to health disparities and social inequalities within rice-growing communities.
Jagdish Kumar Ladha, Adjunct Professor at the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, told Bernama that IRRI's strategy comes at a critical stage for rice-producing nations across Asia.