Rice, a staple food for nearly half the world’s population, has a surprisingly large methane footprint. Agriculture accounts for 42% of global methane emissions, with rice cultivation responsible for 8% of this figure. The flooding of paddy fields creates anaerobic conditions, leading to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Rize, an agri-tech startup, is working to address this issue by helping rice farmers in Southeast Asia adopt new agricultural methods that reduce methane emissions while improving their businesses.
The idea behind Rize stemmed from the recognition that rice is a major contributor to agricultural emissions in Southeast Asia. Rize focuses on working with smallholder farmers, leveraging CEO Dhruv Sawney’s experience with ‘nurture.farm,’ a sustainable agriculture app that attracted 1.5 million smallholders. Rize aims to increase adoption rates beyond traditional NGO and development agency programs by providing the right technology and support to farmers for long-term sustainability.
While rice itself isn’t inherently a high-emitting crop, the centuries-old practice of continuous flooding in paddy fields has created an environment conducive to methane production. This flooding is used to deter pests and prevent weeds from depleting soil nutrients. The scale of rice production exacerbates the problem, with over 3.5 billion people relying on rice for a significant portion of their daily calories. However, reducing rice consumption would not be equitable, as it plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of many, especially in countries like Bangladesh, where nearly half of rural employment is tied to rice production.
Fortunately, rice production is inherently efficient in terms of emissions per unit of food produced. Rize is tackling the methane issue by promoting a technique called alternate wetting and drying (AWD). AWD involves allowing paddy fields to dry out periodically before re-flooding, reducing methane emissions by up to 50%. Rize is further researching the optimal drying intervals and potential soil amendments to maximize emission reductions. The results so far are promising, with a 35% reduction in emissions recorded. But the true value of AWD lies in its benefits for farmers.
Exposing rice roots to periods of dryness encourages deeper root growth, leading to increased plant growth and higher yields. Pumping less water also translates to water savings, creating a compelling business case for smallholder farmers. Rize addresses the financial challenges faced by farmers by procuring essential inputs in bulk, offering reduced prices, and providing dedicated agronomists to assist with the transition to AWD. This comprehensive support helps build trust and ensures the long-term success of the program.
Rize also utilizes existing networks between farmers, such as government-appointed farmer cooperatives, to facilitate knowledge sharing and adoption of AWD. Through onboarding sessions and ongoing engagement, Rize builds trust and fosters a lasting connection within the community. Data-driven approaches are crucial for optimizing AWD and demonstrating its success. Rize leverages technology to track growing conditions, water usage, and farmer interactions, providing valuable insights for agronomists and facilitating better decision-making. This data also serves as a valuable asset for attracting investment and showcasing smallholder farmers as a low-risk market for capital deployment.
While Rize’s work is a positive step, tackling the methane problem requires a comprehensive approach that involves the entire rice value chain. Rize emphasizes the need for downstream companies, such as FMCGs, traders, and offtakers, to prioritize sustainable rice production. The Global Methane Pledge, signed by 111 countries in 2021, commits to reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030. This growing awareness is encouraging, but it needs to translate into tangible changes in consumer demand for sustainable rice products. A concerted effort is required to transition the entire value chain towards lower-emitting, high-quality rice.
