Low-methane rice cultivation offers path to food and climate security

Researchers and agricultural experts are focusing on low-methane rice cultivation as a means to address both food security and climate change concerns. The approach involves promoting rice varieties that produce lower levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during the growing process.

Scaling such climate-friendly agricultural solutions requires coordinated efforts across the entire agricultural value chain, from farmers and seed producers to distributors and policymakers. Industry collaboration is seen as essential to making these methods economically viable and widely adoptable.

The initiative aligns with India's broader commitment to sustainable agriculture and climate action. By reducing methane emissions from rice paddies—a significant contributor to agricultural greenhouse gases—the farming sector can contribute meaningfully to national and global climate targets while maintaining productivity and farmer livelihoods.