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Mars adoption of AWD technique helped Whitakers cut 60% of water used, GHG emissions in US
Mars has been working with the Whitakers – a generational family of farmers in Arkansas – who have grown rice for Mars for over 10 years and as a result of adopting the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technique, The Whitakers has seen a 60% reduction in water usage and up to 60% lower greenhouse gas emissions in the US, compared to average farms in the region (on an annual basis).
Mars’ focus is on making rice farming more sustainable by reducing the amount of irrigation water used, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to increase yields for farmers.
Traditionally, rice farming has involved continuously flooding the fields which is very water intensive. In addition, it produces a lot of methane; flooded fields are ideal growing conditions for methane-emitting bacteria.
The AWD technique is different from traditional flooding practices. It alternates between flooding and drying down the fields during the rice growing stage. This practice is most efficient when used on a zero grade (fully flat) farm.
Mars efforts to adopt climate-friendly practices in several countries:
Mars has adopted several water-saving techniques in several countries to encourage farmers to implement climate-smart agriculture practices.
In India and Pakistan, Mars wanted to support rice farmers to enhance their water management practices, so it launched the Sustainable Rice and Stewardship program (WAPRO), alongside its partner Swiss Intercooperation, Helvetas.
This program provided education and training support through farmer partnerships and organized sessions – training farmers on the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standard, and water stewardship.
Importantly, this project also incentivized farmers by subsidizing the adoption of water-saving techniques including drip irrigation, laser leveling and AWD.
At the conclusion of the project, all the project farmers were using these new techniques, and all farmers improved their water efficiency and increased their rice production as a result.
Mars recognized the importance of tailoring projects to local needs and challenges, and it worked closely with its farmers to implement practices.
For example, In Thailand, rice is the most important food crop, accounting for roughly half of Thai agricultural land, but farmers in Thailand are vulnerable to climate change because yields are heavily dependent on weather conditions.
Back in 2018, Mars joined forces with the German agency for international cooperation, GIZ, alongside other like-minded partners, to develop a collective approach to sustainable climate-smart rice production in Thailand, launching the Sustainable Aromatic Rice Initiative (SARI).
The program focused on training farmers on the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standard for sustainable rice cultivation including the use of digital farming solutions, record keeping, water management practices and the efficient use of farming inputs.
Across the six-year program, we worked with 1,450 farmers across two areas – Roi Et and Central Plain – in Thailand, 70% of whom were women. As a result of the project, all the farmers reduced their water usage and increased their rice production.
In Roi Et, where Mars trained most of the farmers, farmers were able to reduce their water usage by up to 56%, and Mars have seen that farmers are spending less, and at the same time earning more, than the average farmer in the Roi Et province.
Mars is now scaling this project further across Thailand.
On the World Water Day, Mars reflected on the progress it is making to reduce water usage in rice farming. It has plenty more work to do and it will continue working towards its climate goals.
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