Boosting rice yields sustainably in Laos

The farmers used organic fertilisers, including wastewater sludge from brewing, and stopped burning rice fields and straw. They also tested new farming methods, including alternate wetting and drying, where rice paddies are allowed to dry and are re-irrigated when necessary instead of leaving continual standing water that causes methane emissions. This technique can reduce both water consumption and the carbon intensity of rice production. In just three harvest seasons, rice yields from the 30 hectares in the trial have increased by 33%, and synthetic fertiliser use is down by 70%. Farmers have also cut organic fertiliser use by 60%. We will assess the emissions reductions from the techniques used in the trial to understand their potential in our wider rice supply chain.