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We have to 'reinvent' rice and rice farming, says IRRI DG

CNBC Squawk Box Asia, August 14 — In an interview today with CNBC Asia correspondents Sri Jegarajah and Amanda Drury, IRRI Director General Matthew Morell highlighted the need to reinvent the way we cultivate rice to be more sustainable especially amid the challenges posed by climate change. This includes using less water, increasing mechanization, and addressing the migration of farmers from rural to urban areas. 

"We need to help adapt to the changing reality," said Dr. Morell.

When asked about the role of global agribusinesses in sustainable rice practices, Dr. Morell emphasized how the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) promotes collaboration among industry groups in the development and application of sustainability standards in the rice value chain.

Watch the full interview here.

Register for the upcoming #BusinessUnusual: 2nd Global Sustainable Rice Conference and Exhibition (1-2 October 2019, Bangkok) to learn more about IRRI and UNEP's work on sustainability in rice.