Rice is the main staple for 3.5 billion people around the world

Global rice sector provides livelihoods for over 1 billion people, of which 144 million are smallholder farmers

Irrigated rice cultivation uses 30-40% of the world's freshwater

Conventional rice cultivation is responsible for up to 10% of global methane emissions, which is more potent than carbon dioxide

Rice production accounts for an average 13% of global fertilizer use