Uniting for sustainable and resilient rice production under the GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Program

As part of ongoing efforts by the FAO and IFAD led GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP) to transform food systems to be more sustainable, regenerative, inclusive, resilient, and pollution-free; representatives from eight countries across Asia and Africa came together in Hanoi, Viet Nam on 13 September 2024 to discuss a unified approach to advance sustainable rice production and jointly drive FSIP project development. 

The urgent need for resilient agriculture was re-emphasized by one of Viet Nam's strongest storms in over three decades that occurred just days before the workshop and caused major devastation to people, infrastructure and agriculture in the country that heavily depends on Rice for food and livelihoods.

The need for Sustainable Rice Production

Key staple food crops like rice, wheat, and maize are vital for global food security. However, current production systems must transition to more sustainable practices to reduce their environmental impact while ensuring both food security and the livelihoods of the millions who depend on rice for sustenance and income. By adopting better management practices, promoting crop diversification, and balancing international trade with strong local food systems, we can strengthen local economies and enhance resilience against disruptions in global supply chains.  

FSIP's focus on Rice Production Systems

Among the 32 country projects that are currently being developed under the FSIP, 10 specifically target sustainable rice production with an aim to implement approaches that enhance environmental sustainability by improving value chains, agroecological systems, and integrated landscape management. For example:

• Chad will focus is on reducing soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions
• Sri Lanka's efforts will be directed toward strengthening green business development and promoting climate resilience
• Nigeria will supports integrated agroecological systems combining crops, livestock, and aquaculture to address the sustainability of food systems

The event facilitated knowledge exchange between rice producers and experts from Burkina Faso, Chad, Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania, China, Bhutan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia who also reaffirmed their commitment to transforming their national rice production systems as part of their respective FSIP child project. Discussions focused on how regions can learn from one another to overcome local challenges and leverage opportunities through public and private sector partnerships. 

The workshop was strategically organized to succeed the Low Emissions Rice Dialogue hosted in Viet Nam which convened world-renowned rice experts, lead agencies, and partners involved in the rice sector under the GEF-7 Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration IP (FOLUR) Global Platform. The transition from one event to the another enabled participants to build upon the ideas and solutions discussed earlier in the week that also included a field visit.

The event was crucial for achieving a common understanding and direction for the GEF supported FSIP, while fostering connections between the FSIP Global Coordination Project (GCP) and country projects. The participants shared their opinions on how GCP can better address their needs and priorities and how country projects could align with ongoing public and private sector initiatives, with a focus on enhancing the scalability and impact of their projects. 

As the FSIP rice projects continue to evolve, this event marked a critical moment for enhancing cross-country collaboration. By fostering collective strategizing and knowledge sharing, FAO and IFAD are routing global efforts toward more sustainable and resilient food crop production. This event sets a promising tone for future collaboration across the FSIP portfolio, ultimately contributing to global food security while mitigating environmental impact.