How Singapore scientists are nurturing a climate-friendly rice revolution with some regional farmers

TLL’s CEO Mr Chia attributed the successes of the Decarbonising Rice Project so far to the scientists’ painstaking research work, a network of partners pitching in to work  on “hard problems” together and a common vision that the long-term benefits “should accrue back to the people”.

He also sees scope for extending this beyond rice growing to other crops and aquaculture.

On the significance of such a project for Singapore, Dr Srinivasan said: “Singapore, though a non-agricultural country, is well-positioned as a regional hub for biotechnology, agri-food innovation and sustainable agriculture research.”

Multi-sector collaborations and partnerships like this project, he said, create a more stable and sustainable regional food system for Singapore consumers, as well as opening doors for the country to stronger trade relationships with rice-producing nations across Asia.

In the meantime, rice farmers who are already on board this programme are glad to be among the first to jump on the green bandwagon.

“We’re all happy that we learnt a lot from this process, and learnt a new method that helps to improve our yields,” said Mr Kasno.

“At the same time, we’re so grateful that we are also able to play a small part to mitigate global warming and make the world a better place.”