The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

In a move to future-proof its rice supply chain and support farming communities facing the impacts of climate change, Mars Food & Nutrition, the maker of brands like Ben's Original, Tasty Bite and Seeds of Change, has announced a $20 million investment in sustainable rice sourcing over the next decade.

The investment, which will be channelled through Mars' new 'Raising Rice Right' platform, aims to help rice farmers across the United States, Europe, India, Pakistan and Thailand adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.

These practices, such as 'alternate wetting and drying' (AWD), have been proven to reduce water usage by up to 30% and greenhouse gas emissions by over 40% without compromising yields.

"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," said Dale Creaser, global VP of supply chain at Mars Food & Nutrition.

He continued: "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".

The investment comes at a critical time, as the latest IPCC and FAO reports warn that global rice yields could decline by 10-15% by 2050 under current trends, with climate shocks becoming more frequent. In the UK alone, 63% of people consume rice at least once a week, with the nation consuming 2.3 billion bowls annually.

Through the Raising Rice Right platform, Mars will scale the implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices, provide additional training and support to farming communities, and continue to build farmer resilience.

The company will also play a leadership role as a founding member of the Sustainable Rice Platform, a global alliance working to promote sustainable rice farming and reduce the environmental footprint of rice production.

"As the owners of Ben's Original, one of the world's largest rice brands, we have a responsibility to act," Creaser added. "This investment is about future-proofing our business to ensure we're building a resilient food supply chain and protecting yields and livelihoods for our farmers today and for generations to come."

The $20 million investment is part of Mars' broader Sustainable in a Generation plan, which includes science-based goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.