Rice is much more than a crop for the 3.5 billion people who depend on it for sustenance and culture. Yet, as the world races toward an environmental tipping point, the rice fields that feed us are quietly adding to the crisis by releasing methane, a greenhouse gas that is 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In countries like Pakistan, where rice is not only an economic lifeline but also an environmental challenge, changing this long-standing practice has become a matter of survival.
Rice paddies are often flooded, creating conditions that allow certain bacteria to thrive, which convert organic matter into methane. This methane, a major contributor to global warming, can trap significantly more heat than carbon dioxide in the short term. Rice farming worldwide emits approximately 1.5 billion tons of CO2-equivalent gases annually, similar to the emissions from the aviation sector. Moreover, excessive fertilizer use in rice paddies releases nitrous oxide, a gas with a warming potential 265 times that of CO₂.. Overuse of fertilizers in South Asia, where rice is a staple, has led to a 45% increase in these emissions since 2000.
If not controlled, methane emissions from rice fields could raise global temperatures by 0.5°C by 2100, exacerbating extreme weather events like severe floods, droughts, and unseasonably strong monsoons. This leads to the destruction of natural habitats and further threatens biodiversity. Furthermore, flooding disrupts the delicate balance of nutrients and microorganisms in the soil, endangering its fertility.
Rice production is concentrated in Asia, with China, India, and Indonesia being the largest producers and emitters. Pakistan, ranked as the 4th largest rice exporter, relies heavily on this crop, generating $2.5 billion annually from rice exports. However, the sector is a major consumer of water, using up 15% of the country’s freshwater resources. In the Punjab region, excessive irrigation is leading to a rapid depletion of aquifers, with water tables sinking by 1 meter per year.
Additionally, climate-related floods have inundated 1.1 million acres of rice fields, causing $1 billion in losses and displacing 2 million people. Recovery efforts have largely focused on replanting with water-heavy methods, which might perpetuate the flooding cycle. A shift toward alternative approaches is urgently needed.
One such solution is the technique of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), which reduces methane emissions by up to 70% and cuts water usage by 30%. In pilot projects in Sindh province, Pakistan, this method has led to a 12% increase in crop yields, showing its potential for improving productivity. Other sustainable practices include Laser Land Leveling, which ensures even water distribution, reducing both water waste and emissions.
Biochar, a process of adding charred crop residues to soil, not only cuts methane emissions by 50% but also enhances soil fertility. Pakistan’s National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) has also tested the use of nano-coated fertilizers, which have reduced urea usage by 40%.
Aerobic rice, which grows similarly to wheat, requires 60% less water and emits little methane, offering a significant environmental benefit. In Bangladesh, a submergence-tolerant rice strain known as SCARBA has been developed, capable of withstanding floods and reducing the need for frequent replanting, which in turn lowers methane emissions.
Implementing carbon pricing for rice farming could further drive sustainable practices by taxing high-emission farms while using the revenue to fund clean energy solutions, better irrigation, and organic farming methods. In Pakistan’s 2023 Climate-Smart Agriculture Policy, subsidies for AWD training and biogas plants are helping farmers transition toward more sustainable practices.
Although farmers are concerned about upfront costs and yield losses, offering microfinance loans for the purchase of AWD pumps and biogas digesters could alleviate these concerns. Additionally, market demand for low-methane rice, such as from brands like Basmati Boys, provides financial incentives for farmers to adopt more eco-friendly practices.
With global demand for more sustainable agriculture, Pakistan could market “green rice” to environmentally conscious consumers, potentially boosting prices by up to 20%. The adoption of sustainable rice farming practices could also create half a million rural jobs by 2030. Reducing water-intensive flood irrigation could conserve enough water to supply Karachi for up to three years.
For climate-vulnerable Pakistan, transforming rice farming isn’t just about reducing emissions—it’s a matter of survival. Reimagining rice farming offers an opportunity to move from environmental harm to environmental sustainability, benefiting both farmers and the planet.
