As climate instability impacts harvests across major growing countries, Mars announced recently that it will invest $20 million over the course of ten years, from 2020 to 2030, to boost sustainable rice procurement.

Rice farms in the US, Europe, India, Pakistan, and Thailand are the focus of the investment. These areas are now experiencing water shortages, unpredictable rainfall, and increased heat stress. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, current trends might result in a 10–15% decline in world rice production by 2050.

Mars used its new Raising Rice Right platform to publicise the initiative. The initiative seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to rice farming, increase farmer incomes, and scale climate-smart agriculture.

About 3.5 billion people get their daily calories from rice, and almost one-fifth of the world’s population makes money from it. However, conventional rice growing generates up to 10% of global methane emissions and utilises roughly 40% of irrigation water worldwide.

Furthermore, rice-growing countries are increasingly experiencing climate shocks. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the IPCC both caution that rising temperatures pose a threat to food security and harvests in Asia and beyond.

According to a statement from Dale Creaser, global vice president of supply chain at Mars Food & Nutrition, “Rice is a daily staple for billions of people, but climate change is placing extraordinary pressure on this vital crop.”

Ben’s Original, Tasty Bite, and Seeds of Change are just a few of the well-known rice brands owned by Mars. According to the business, the most recent investment will contribute to safeguarding long-term supply security as well as farmer livelihoods. The farming technique known as alternate wetting and drying, or AWD, is at the heart of the scheme. During the growing season, farmers periodically drain their fields rather than keeping them inundated all year.

According to the business, AWD can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 40% and water use by as much as 30%. Yields stay constant at the same time.

Mars mentioned Arkansas farmers that provide its products with rice. In comparison to regional averages, those farms lowered emissions by a comparable amount and water use by 60% after implementing AWD.

Additionally, training in South and Southeast Asian smallholder regions will be funded by the funding. According to Mars, farmers in Thailand, Pakistan, and India will get digital training, irrigation equipment, and technical assistance.

More than 1,400 farmers have already received training from Mars and development partners in Thailand under the Sustainable Aromatic Rice Initiative. According to the company, women made up almost two-thirds of the participants. All participating farms saw an increase in yields.

“We have an obligation to take action as the proprietors of one of the biggest rice brands in the world,” Creaser stated. “This investment provides our farmers with the resources and assistance they require to adjust and prosper.”