Bayer, a global leader in agriculture and healthcare, is partnering with GenZero, Shell Energy India, and experts to create a robust model demonstrating the potential scalability of reducing methane emissions from rice cultivation. This initiative involves training smallholder farmers and utilizing remote sensing technology for accurate Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV). The project aims to establish a benchmark for similar efforts in curbing methane emissions in rice production.
Rice cultivation contributes around 10% of global methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas with over 27 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Rice farms cover 15% of the world’s agricultural land, using a third of global freshwater. To combat climate change and limit temperature rise, significant efforts are required to reduce methane emissions in rice cultivation.
Bayer has laid the groundwork through its Sustainable Rice Project in India, promoting carbon reductions by encouraging farmers to adopt Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) methods.
In the program’s first year, it aims to expand coverage to 25,000 hectares of rice cultivation during the Kharif 2023 and Rabi 2023-24 seasons. Success in this phase will pave the way for a larger-scale sustainable rice project, generating benefits such as water conservation, improved soil health, and enhanced livelihoods for farmers.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will provide scientific assessments of greenhouse gas reductions, water use efficiency, and soil health improvements to ensure accuracy and credibility.
This collaboration between Bayer, GenZero, Shell, IRRI, and others signifies a significant stride in addressing the environmental impact of rice cultivation and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Speaking about the collaborative initiative with Bayer, Dr. Ajay Kohli, Deputy Director General for Research, IRRI said, “Public-private partnerships are an effective way to transform food systems, leveraging the strengths and resources of both sectors to achieve common goals. Such partnerships in agricultural science can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research and development. By combining the strengths and resources of both sectors, and also sharing knowledge and capacity-building, thus enhancing the overall productivity and sustainability of the agricultural sector.”
Flora Ji, Vice President Nature Based Solutions, Shell plc said, “Nature-based solutions, like this rice cultivation project, are an important additional tool in addressing climate change and contributing to sustainable development. We look forward to the outcome of this program to further strengthen capabilities and leverage novel technologies to deploy nature-based solutions at scale.”
Frederick Teo, CEO of GenZero, said, “Rice is one of the leading sources of methane emissions, with India being the second largest producer of rice globally. Decarbonizing rice cultivation is therefore essential for fighting climate change and addressing food security challenges. With this program, we aim to transform the future of rice cultivation by driving the adoption of alternative wetting and drying as well as direct seeding techniques across smallholder farmers in India. The aim is to reduce the amount of water required for farming across many water-stressed agricultural regions in India and reduce methane emissions arising from rice cultivation, supporting the transition of the agricultural industry towards a low-carbon future.