Optima Rice as BASF, IRRI’s carbon reduction initiative

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

IN a collaborative effort to reduce carbon footprint, BASF and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have joined forces to cut CO2e emissions from rice production by 30% per ton of crop by 2030 through their scientific collaboration called “Optima Rice” (Optimizing Management for Reduction of GHG in Rice).

The project spans multiple rice seasons in Laguna, Germany, and the Philippines, targeting climate-smart farming practices and improvements in carbon intensity.

As rice holds a significant global position among cereal crops, contributing 10% of agricultural GHG emissions, this collaboration focuses on exploring various aspects of climate-smart farming, including direct-seeded rice varieties, nitrogen stabilizers, residue management, and water-saving technologies like alternate wetting and drying management.

BASF will leverage its AgBalance™ tool for GHG intensity estimation, conducting field tests with IRRI to gather high-quality agronomic and GHG data.

The partnership seeks to advance scientific models for climate mitigation and adaptation in rice cultivation, aiming to support farmers in decarbonizing their production systems.

The collaboration aligns with both organizations’ commitment to environmental sustainability, aiming to make substantial strides in reducing carbon emissions in agriculture.