Transforming Rice Production in Asia and the Pacific

Strategic Insights -

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a significant initiative aimed at transforming rice production across Asia and the Pacific, partnering with the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The initiative targets millions of smallholder farmers, who rely heavily on rice as their primary source of income and staple food. Rice is essential to food security in Asia, supplying over a quarter of the region's calorie intake, and its production is vital for the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers. However, the sector faces serious threats from declining productivity, water scarcity, and its considerable carbon footprint.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ADB, in partnership with CGIAR and the Gates Foundation, has launched an initiative to transform rice production across Asia and the Pacific, with a focus on promoting resilient, high-yield, and low-emission rice farming practices.
  • The initiative will support sustainable water use, inclusive value chains, and improved nutrition outcomes, particularly targeting vulnerable communities.
  • ADB has committed to investing up to $1.5 billion from 2025 to 2030 under this programme.
  • This investment forms part of ADB's broader pledge of $40 billion to transform food systems across the region by 2030.
  • Bangladesh, Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Pakistan, and the Philippines have been selected for initial project development.
  • The ADB is one of the leading multilateral development banks, comprising 69 member countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.

Statistics:

  • Over a quarter of Asia's calorie intake comes from rice (ADB).
  • Rice is a vital source of income for hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers in Asia.
  • ADB has pledged $40 billion to transform food systems across the region by 2030.
  • The initiative aims to positively impact millions of smallholder farmers.
  • ADB's investment of up to $1.5 billion from 2025 to 2030 will be focused on transforming rice production in Asia and the Pacific.

Sources:

  • Asian Development Bank
  • Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR)
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Fatima Yasmin, ADB Vice-President for Sectors and Themes