▶
Rice Straw: Creating Value Beyond the Grain
In Asia alone, rice production generates an estimated 600 to 800 million tons of rice straw annually. While traditional open-field burning has been the "quick and easy" method for land clearing, it leads to severe air pollution, loss of soil nutrients and biodiversity, and the release of millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Looking beyond the grain, IRRI is helping farmers realize the hidden value of rice straw through a rice-straw based circular economy. Through the RiceEco project, IRRI and the Mekong Institute successfully implemented this solution bundle that ranges from mechanized soil incorporation to off-field ventures like mushroom cultivation. Today, this shift continues to create a resilient agricultural model that not only strengthens livelihoods but also protects the environment.