Policies and Practices: WWF’s Rice Initiative

WWF and the system of rice intensification (SRI) for food and water security

About 70% of all water withdrawn goes to crops including cotton, sugar and rice that are among the “thirstiest.” Half the world depends on rice – as a food staple, source of income, or both.

More than 90% of the rice that reaches our tables is grown in Asia. Traditional farming needs 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of rice. By using the “system of rice intensification” (SRI), more rice can be grown per litre. Results from SRI pilot projects in India, supported by WWF, have shown substantial increases in crop yields – and farmer incomes – while using about 30% less water.

WWF has been working collaboratively to pilot and document encouraging results of water savings and better yield in rice. This entails work with farmers, rural associations, government and water agencies, and international rice, food and policy institutes. A global partnership of key international agencies is envisaged for driving guidelines to meet sustainable irrigated rice production and contribute to the broad millennium development aspirations of water access, food security and improved livelihoods.