The 3rd Global Sustainable Rice Conference and Exhibition kicked off to the sound of applause coming from a record of over 250 participants, and a message of resilience in the global rice industry. Facing multiple challenges from a changing political, weather and market landscape, the event delivered focus to rice as an important FOOD, in the era of CLIMATE change, and with PEOPLE playing a central focus to resources that continue to deliver growth in an increasingly important sector in the rice industry. The movement clearly had its eye on the long-term as industry luminaries from across the global rice industry opened the conference.
SRP continues to deliver a platform for reliable practices across world rice, starting with a focus on efforts with early partners in Thailand. The conference was ushered to life by Wyn Ellis, Executive Director of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), leading the field for the last time as he ends his 11-year stint at the SRP in March 2025, and Keith Jones, Board Chairman of SRP who emphasized on the long journey taken by the SRP, which remains at a relatively early stage of development and the fact that the 3rd version of the SRP Standards, Requirements and related Performance indicators, for public consultation, amongst several other updates to be discussed at the conference. The SRP Physical Traceability platform was another highlight together with the low carbon rice variety development as another SRP effort to assist the industry toward achieving goals in making verifiable claims in emission mitigations as highlights that the conference and SRP hoped to achieve in time. Thailand’s Kulsiri Klunnuraksa, Director of the Rice Research and Development Division of the Thai Rice Department, to add updates from the host country. Thailand, and the many big strides already taken, from a major rice exporter, whose jasmine rice is loved around the world, and as Thailand takes fresh steps (since 2011) in partnership with SRP. The 2022 showing a Thai National Standard for Sustainable Rice Production, with benefits include emissions control, water savings and overall efficiency in rice production with up to 45,000 farmers being trained to deliver. This was an apt example of the progress on show, from an early collaborative partner, committed to sustainable rice farming practices. Thailand is a committed partner to the SRP’s rise and presence in Thailand and across the globe.
Keynote addresses investment activities, progress in sustainable rice, and IRRI’s continued role as a key knowledge partner. Video presentations from Chris Brett, Lead Agribusiness Specialist at the World Bank and Dr Yvonne Pinto, the recently appointed Director General at the International Rice Research Institute completed an opening that delivered not only the start to two days of meetings between the over 250 delegates representing stakeholders across the global rice supply chain, but an occasion that also marked the rising use of technology, to aid the flow of information and partnerships born across the world rice industry.
Sponsors show rising tide of sustainable rice presence in markets, and innovation to tackle key challenges and deliver sustainability – Olam Agri and String Bio in focus. Aptly, the event featured sponsors Olam Agri, a leading if not the leading producer of SRP rice in the world, and String Bio, as an emerging biotechnology company that has set itself apart in the field of sustainable solutions for rice cultivation. This delivered strong message of a rising global presence for Sustainable and Climate-smart rice, while delivering a peek into technology offerings that are sprouting in support of achieving sustainability goals. A perfect complement to a rising market space in sustainable rice and the innovative sparks that will deliver the future in what is a rising effort in the global rice industry.
Reported by SS Rice News – Event Media Partner
26 - 27 Nov 2024, Bangkok, Thailand
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