Technology/ Innovation: Rice Innovations for Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Rice Innovations for Climate-Resilient Food Systems. IRRI proposes an exhibition that highlights scalable, science-based rice innovations poised to contribute to the transformation of food systems across Asia and the Pacific. Under the theme "From Science to Scale: Rice Innovations for Climate-Resilient Food Systems," the exhibit will showcase the progression of IRRI’s innovations throughout the innovation life cycle, spanning from advanced breeding and genomic platforms to large-scale implementation and systems-level impact. The exhibition will present climate-resilient rice varieties, cutting-edge breeding technologies, and nature-positive production systems, including low-emission rice management, water-smart practices, and rice-fish systems. These innovations will be illustrated through concrete examples from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, with a particular focus on initiatives in the Asian Mega Deltas. Additionally, digital advisory tools and inclusive seed systems will be featured to demonstrate practical pathways for scaling these advancements. Overall, the booth aims to position IRRI as a strategic partner in science and delivery for ADB, illustrating how rice-based innovations can effectively enhance climate resilience, protect natural capital, and develop resilient agrifood value chains on a broad scale.
Overview of Technology/ Project:
IRRI’s featured technologies represent valuable innovations that are designed to benefit the public and are ready for investment, with the potential for widespread adoption across diverse agro-ecologies in Asia and the Pacific. The climate-resilient rice varieties developed through advanced breeding and genomic platforms offer a low-risk, high-return opportunity for ADB projects by helping stabilize yields under challenging conditions such as flooding, drought, salinity, and heat—issues commonly faced by ADB DMCs. These varieties can be scaled effectively through national seed systems and public–private partnerships, especially when supported by policy reform and concessional finance. Additionally, complementary nature-positive production systems, including water-smart rice management practices (like Alternate Wetting and Drying), low-emission nutrient strategies, and rice–fish systems, provide measurable benefits for climate, water, and biodiversity while helping to sustain farmer incomes. Digital advisory tools like the Rice Crop Manager further enhance scalability by integrating precise recommendations into extension systems at a minimal additional cost. Collectively, these innovations are in strong alignment with ADB’s priorities regarding natural capital investment, climate mitigation and adaptation, and resilient agrifood value chains. They can be swiftly incorporated into ADB-financed programs at both national and regional levels, fostering collaboration and mutual progress.
Website: irri.org
Country: Philippines