Rice is the daily staple for more than 3.5 billion people, accounting for 19% of dietary energy globally.

Rice farmers are among the world's most vulnerable to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, salinity, temperature rise, drought and flooding.

Rice production needs to increase by 25% in the next 25 years to meet global demand. -IRRI

RICE FACTS

RICE and food security:

  • Rice is the daily staple for more than 3.5 bn people, accounting for 19% of dietary energy globally
  • Rice provides livelihoods for over 1 bn people
  • Rice is produced on 160 m hectares, mostly by 144 m smallholders
  • Feeding 9bn people: a 44% shortfall in global rice production by 2050

RICE and environment:

  • Rice uses 34-43% of the world’s irrigation water for production
  • Rice is responsible for up to 10% of global methane emissions
  • Rice fields represent 15% of the world’s wetlands
  • Southeast Asian rice farmers are among the world’s most vulnerable to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, salinity, temperature rise, drought and flooding

THE SRP STANDARD

The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation is the world’s first voluntary sustainability standard for rice.

SRP Standard

THE SRP PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

SRP Performance Indicators

LOCAL ACTION

Cambodia

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has trained 150 farmers in Kampong Thom Province to produce rice according to the SRP Standard, with the support of the Battambang Rice Investment, Co. and Mars Food. A National SRP Working Group coordinates multi-stakeholder activities, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia Rice Federation, private sector actors and NGOs.

Pakistan

In Pakistan SRP’s partners Helvetas, Mars Food and Better Grain Co. Ltd. are implementing the WAPRO Water Productivity Project with 500 Basmati rice farmers, focusing on supply chain development and policy interventions.

Thailand

GIZ-BRIA has joined with Thailand’s Rice Department (RD) and Olam International to pilot the SRP Standard among farmer groups. Following a baseline survey of a group of 32 rice farmers in Det Udom District of Ubol Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand, a 10-module training course was provided to enhance farmers’ skills and promote adoption of the SRP Standard.

Vietnam

The Loc Troi Group, a leading Vietnamese rice exporter, recently harvested its first crop of “SRP Rice”, grown by 150 farmers in the southern provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap and Kien Giang. Preliminary findings indicate lower seed rates, chemical use, and water pumping costs. Net incomes were improved by 18% compared with non-participating farmers. The programme will be expanded to 4,000 farmers in 2017.