Sustainable Rice Farming Gains Momentum as BENEO Partners to Promote Climate-Resilient Practices

BENO, a leading supplier of rice-derived ingredients, is increasingly recognizing the importance of sustainable rice farming practices to address environmental concerns. According to Benoit Tavernier, portfolio manager for rice ingredients at BENEO, rice farming contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, making it crucial to adopt more efficient and climate-resilient methods. As part of its efforts, BENEO has partnered with Rikolto and CarbonFarm on a three-year project in Vietnam, aiming to promote sustainable rice production and develop a market for Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)-certified rice.

Key Takeaways:

• BENEO's partnership with Rikolto and CarbonFarm will promote sustainable rice farming in Vietnam, focusing on efficient water management and responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers.
• The project aims to train at least 1,000 farmers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta on sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices, with demonstration fields to showcase practical applications of sustainable rice farming.
• The project will use technology such as satellites and digital logbooks to monitor farming practices and scientifically measure emissions and water usage.
• BENEO has already observed a growing demand for more environmentally friendly rice products and aims to process at least 10,000 tonnes of sustainably grown rice throughout the three-year project.
• The company is sourcing SRP-certified rice from other origins and expects to have its first rice volumes available in the autumn of 2025.
• BENEO's efforts to support rice farming in Laos in 2023 demonstrate its commitment to sustainable rice production and supply chain transparency.

Statistics:

• 10% of anthropogenic methane emissions come from rice cultivation practices globally.
• More than a third of irrigation water worldwide is used for rice cultivation.
• Adopting sustainable practices can reduce GHG emissions by almost half and reduce water usage by 30%.
• 1,000 farmers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta will be trained on sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices through the project.
• BENEO aims to process at least 10,000 tonnes of sustainably grown rice throughout the three-year project.

Sources:

• "BENO's partnership with Rikolto and CarbonFarm on sustainable rice farming project in Vietnam," AgTechNavigator, July [no date mentioned].
• BENEO's announcement on the three-year partnership, no date mentioned.
• "Benoit Tavernier, portfolio manager for rice ingredients at BENEO, in an interview with AgTechNavigator."