How could UPL's low-methane rice cultivation pilot affect Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia's rice production could shift toward lower emissions and higher efficiency The pilot program, which utilizes alternate wetting and drying (AWD) instead of continuous flooding, demonstrated significant benefits for rice cultivation. Specifically, the program saw greenhouse gas emissions decline by around 23 per cent, while water-use efficiency improved by 40 per cent. If these low-methane techniques are scaled up, they could fundamentally alter the agricultural practices and environmental footprint of Southeast Asia, a region whose food security is heavily reliant on rice production.
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How it reaches Southeast Asia
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UPL began a pilot program on October 17, 2026, to cultivate rice that produces less methane. Rice cultivation accounts for 10 per cent of global methane emissions and 48 per cent of cropland emissions globally every year. This low-methane system aims to enable higher productivity while significantly lowering emissions.
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Since rice production is fundamentally dependent on the geography and climate of Southeast Asia to sustain its population and ensure food security, the widespread adoption of these more efficient and less polluting cultivation methods could change how the region produces its staple crop.
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south-eastern region of Asia
Everything about Southeast Asia
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- UPL launched a low-methane rice cultivation pilot involving 6,000 farmers across nearly 10,400 hectares in 2022.thehindubusinessline.com
- The low-methane system relies on alternate wetting and drying (AWD), alternating between wet and dry periods.thehindubusinessline.com
- The pilot resulted in greenhouse gas emissions declining by around 23 per cent.thehindubusinessline.com
- Water-use efficiency improved by 40 per cent and yields increased by 5 per cent during the pilot.thehindubusinessline.com
Why it matters
Rice is a critical staple grain for Southeast Asia, a region whose food security is fundamentally dependent on its production. As global populations grow and climate pressures intensify, the need to produce more rice while reducing its significant environmental footprint—which accounts for 10 per cent of global methane emissions—is a major challenge.
This pilot demonstrates that productivity and environmental stewardship can coexist. The success of UPL's AWD method, which simultaneously boosts yields and cuts emissions, offers a potential pathway for Southeast Asian farmers to adapt to climate change while maintaining or increasing profitability.
What we don't know yet
- What is the cost difference between traditional flooding and AWD cultivation?
- What level of government support is needed to scale this technology across Southeast Asia?
What would change this answer
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About International Monetary Fund
Given the need for large-scale agricultural shifts, how might the International Monetary Fund view the financial viability of scaling up AWD across Southeast Asia?
Related on BrindEd Miliband will lead the G20 presidency, while Banga addresses issues at IMF and World Bank meetings. -
About Association of Southeast Asian Nations
If the AWD method proves successful, what role might the Association of Southeast Asian Nations play in standardizing or promoting these low-methane practices across member countries?
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Reporting
- thehindubusinessline.comSaturday
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