Snacking, food, and pet care products provider Mars announced the launch of its new sustainable rice sourcing platform, Raising Right Right, including a $20 million investment from 2020 to 2030 aimed at helping farmers in its supply chain cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce water use, and adopt climate-smart agriculture practices.

Mars’ food and nutrition division includes brands such as Ben’s Original, Tasty Bite and Seeds of Change – all of which rely heavily on rice as a key ingredient. Globally, rice is a staple for 3.5 billion people and a source of income for roughly 19% of the world’s population. However, traditional production accounts for about 40% of global irrigation water use and up to 10% of methane emissions.

Under the new platform, Mars said that it is working with its farmers and suppliers to implement various climate-smart agriculture practices that have been proven to reduce water usage and greenhouse gas emissions, while protecting yields. Among the practices highlighted by the company is alternate wetting and drying (AWD),which involves periodically draining fields rather than keeping them continuously flooded, which can reduce the amount of water used by up to 30% and reduce GHG emissions by over 40%, without compromising yields.

Mars said that its investment will also be used to provide farmers with training and support to equip farming communities with the knowledge, tools and technology needed to successfully adopt climate-smart agriculture practices, including working with smallholder farmers in Thailand, Pakistan and India, support resilience programs for growers at risk of poverty, and continued engagement in industry collaborations.

Dale Creaser, Global Vice President of Supply Chain at Mars’ Food and Nutrition, said:

“Rice is a daily staple for billions of people and provides an income to millions of farmers around the world, but climate change is placing extraordinary pressure on this vital crop. This $20 million investment is about backing our farmers with the tools, technology and training support they need to adapt and thrive in a changing environment.”

Mars said that the new initiative forms part of its broader Sustainable in a Generation plan, which includes goals to halve value-chain emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.