Rice is a staple for billions and a livelihood for millions, yet climate change is placing unprecedented strain on production. Recent IPCC and FAO reports warn global rice yields could fall by 10-15% by 2050, with climate shocks becoming more frequent.
“Rice is a daily staple for billions of people and provides an income to millions of farmers around the world, but climate change is placing extraordinary pressure on this vital crop,” said Dale Creaser, global VP of supply chain, Mars Food & Nutrition.
As the owner of Ben’s Original, Mars sees a dual imperative: protect farmer livelihoods and secure its supply chain. Its $20 million investment aims to future-proof rice farming through climate-smart practices, training, and industry collaboration.
The practice that could transform rice farming
At the heart of Mars’ strategy is alternate wetting and drying (AWD) – which it cites as a proven technique that reduces water use by up to 30% and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 40% or more.
Instead of keeping fields continuously flooded, AWD involves periodic draining, which significantly reduces methane emissions without compromising yields.
Mars points to real-world success. At Whitaker family farm in Arkansas in the US, implementing AWD reduced water use by 60% and GHG emissions by up to 60% compared to regional averages.
Scaling climate-smart agriculture globally
Mars’ Raising Rice Right platform focuses on four pillars:
1. Scaling Proven Practices
Working directly with farmers and suppliers to implement AWD and other climate-smart methods that reduce environmental impact while maintaining productivity.
2. Training and support
Equipping farmers with tools and knowledge to adopt new practices. In Thailand, through the Sustainable Aromatic Rice Initiative (SARI), Mars and partners trained 1,400 mostly-women farmers in AWD and other techniques, improving yields and reducing environmental impact.
3. Building farmer resilience
As part of its Sustainable in a Generation Plan, Mars commits to reaching 100% of farmers at risk of poverty with programs designed to enable long-term economic stability.
4. Driving industry collaboration
Mars is a founding member of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), a global alliance promoting sustainable rice farming and certifying compliance with SRP standards through independent audits.
Financing the shift
Mars says farmers won’t bear the risk alone. The company and its partners absorb upfront costs through subsidies and incentives, pay premiums on top of commodity prices, and share data to demonstrate benefits like improved yields and reduced input costs. “Farmers accrue the benefits over time such as lower input costs, improved yields, and reduced water usage,” a Mars spokesperson told AgTechNavigator.
“We measure impact through rigorous data collection, third-party verification, and farmer outcomes “Our programmes combine farmer-led implementation with technical support and independent verification.”
Monitoring covers environmental impact (including water usage and GHG emissions reductions), economic performance measured by yield changes, and social outcomes like farmer participation and livelihood improvements.
Sustainability and survival
Mars’ $20 million investment is part of its broader sustainability goals:
- 50% GHG reduction across its value chain by 2030
- Net zero by 2050
- Improving the lives of 1 million people across its supply chain
By scaling AWD and other climate-smart practices, Mars aims to protect rice yields, reduce emissions, and strengthen farmer resilience. As climate pressures mount, AWD and other practices could define the future of rice farming and global food security.
