This Regional Initiative focuses on improving the sustainability of rice production and resource use efficiency, and ultimately improving food and nutrition security, based on conservation and sustainable management of goods and services from rice ecosystems and landscapes.

In 2012, with the request from member countries, FAO developed its Regional Rice Strategy  to contribute for the betterment especially of small holder farmers, a majority of whom depend upon rice for their livelihoods.

In Phase I (2013), RRI started a pilot project in three pilot countries – Indonesia, Lao PDR and the Philippines focused on goods and services produced by and available from rice ecosystems and landscapes.

At the 32nd FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in March 2014, member countries endorsed the Regional Rice Initiative Phase II which aims to:

1.       support rice farmers and producers for applying innovative and sustainable rice farming practices through the effective provision and utilization of rice ecosystem services and goods;

2.       build a knowledge base and evidence for resource use and production efficiency to demonstrate the effectiveness of the sustainable rice ecosystem-based approach; and

3.       realize food-secure, better nourished and prosperous rice farmers and consumers in the Asia-Pacific region by contributing to policy processes, especially the formulation and implementation of national rice strategies or policies, building on the strategic options laid out by the Regional Rice Strategy for Sustainable Food Security in Asia and the Pacific.

To achieve the objectives, an array of options which are more productive, sustainable and efficient in resource use are available. Please click under the “Documents and Read More” Section.