For decades, breeders have focused on  traditional breeding to develop improved rice  varieties. While this has brought significant  advancements, it takes years before a variety  is available for release. By then, farming  conditions and market demands may have  already been changed. In a rapidly evolving  environment impacted by climate change,  traditional breeding alone is no longer  sufficient to meet the growing demand for  improved rice varieties.

To address this, IRRI's Rice Breeding  Innovations (RBI) has modernized its breeding  strategy by incorporating cutting-edge  technologies and tools. This approach enables breeders to enhance the genetic improvement  rate of rice while reducing its breeding time.  Key technologies and strategies include Rapid  Generation Advancement (RGA) to accelerate  rice variety development; Marker-Assisted  Selection (MAS) and genomic selection to  identify and incorporate desirable genes into  the new rice variety; and gene editing to  improve yield, disease resistance, and  adaptability to tough conditions.

Beyond boosting productivity, RBI develops  biofortified varieties to improve rice nutrition.  Breeders apply genetic modifications that  follow strict safety regulations throughout the  process. Through this, RBI can enrich rice with  essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and beta carotene which help combat issues relating to  malnutrition. 

As a result, smallholder farmers in vulnerable  rice-growing areas will have access to  improved rice varieties that increase their  yields and income. Consumers and other end users, in turn, will also benefit from better  nutrition, improved taste, and higher grain  quality.

Rice is the staple food for half of the world’s population. It is the primary source of calories  for billions of people, primarily from low-income households, making it a critical crop for  achieving food, nutrition, social, and livelihood security. 

Rice and its production process shape cultures and social dynamics. It is a valuable crop  in Asia, positioned at the heart of nations and their economies. Consumer preference is  also growing across Africa due to changing diets and urbanization. Rice production,  particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, has overtaken demand. In a world afflicted by the  impacts of climate change, rice production and its markets worldwide need to evolve and  adapt to these emerging trends and heightening threats. 

Through Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems (SIRS), IRRI employs multi- and  inter-disciplinary research approaches to address global challenges. SIRS recognizes that  rice is a crop that drives global agri-food systems. From the soils to the markets, SIRS  presents evidence-based, data-driven, and gender-responsive solutions. SIRS innovates  strategies to improve climate resilience in mixed farming systems through climate change  mitigation, integrated crop management and pest ecology, mechanization, and post harvest technologies.  

SIRS also mobilizes digital and geospatial innovations to help with crop modeling and  technology targeting to boost smallholder farmers’ productivity and resilience, therefore  modernizing rice industries through digital transformation. SIRS looks into markets and  value chains and how data-driven decision-making can make food systems more inclusive and responsive to global trends. With rice as its core to guide sustainable global agri-food  system transformation. SIRS positions rice as a crop that offers solutions for soil, climate,  lands, technology, markets, and livelihoods.

Overview

South Asia is home to nearly 40% of the world’s rice consumers and cultivates over 70 million hectares of rice, which is essential for food and nutritional security in the region. In India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, rice is not just a staple food; it is a way of life, intricately linked to the economy, culture, and rural livelihoods. However, the rice value chain in these countries faces several systemic challenges. These include climate-induced yield losses, water scarcity, declining soil fertility, low levels of mechanization, labor shortages, high postharvest losses, and limited access to innovative practices.

Productivity gaps persist, particularly in rainfed and stress-prone areas, which often yield less than 2.5 tons per hectare. Additionally, climate change, rapid urbanization, and population growth are putting further strain on already stressed agri-food systems.

IRRI’s work in South Asia is centered on advancing rice-based agri-food systems that are productive, resilient, and sustainable. Through successful collaboration with national agricultural research systems, government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners, IRRI has led several breakthroughs in the region, contributing to food and nutrition security. One of IRRI’s key achievements in South Asia is the development of climate-resilient rice varieties tolerant to drought, flood, salinity, and heat. IRRI also advances biofortified, low-GI, and rice value addition, along with promoting traditional landraces.

Complementing its varietal innovations, IRRI leads major regional initiatives to enhance access, policy alignment, and sustainable practices. The Seeds Without Borders (SWB) framework, championed by IRRI, facilitates regional varietal exchange and harmonization of seed policies among countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and thus enabling faster delivery of improved varieties to farmers across borders. IRRI also plays a pivotal role in scaling sustainable rice production techniques like Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), particularly in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Across South Asia, IRRI’s integrated approach—combining cutting-edge science, strategic partnerships, and policy engagement—is enabling the transformation of rice-based agri-food systems to meet the region's future demands.