BASF demonstrates climate-smart rice solutions with IRRI to cut emissions and conserve water without yield loss

(IN BRIEF) BASF, in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has released results from rice field trials in the Philippines showing that greenhouse gas intensity can be reduced by 30% without yield losses. Tested practices such as alternate wetting and drying, direct seeded rice, and improved straw management significantly lowered emissions and water use. The trials also validated BASF’s AgBalance® Life Cycle Assessment model as a reliable tool for measuring farm emissions, enabling farmers to explore participation in carbon markets. The initiative is part of BASF’s Global Carbon Field Trials, which aim to cut CO₂e emissions from five key crops by 30% by 2030, supporting the transition to climate-smart agriculture and greater resilience in rice production.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 23-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF, together with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has published new findings from joint rice field trials in the Philippines showing that greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi) in rice cultivation can be reduced by 30% without compromising yield. Conducted in 2024 as part of BASF’s Global Carbon Field Trial Program, the trials focused on evaluating interventions to make rice production more sustainable, addressing one of agriculture’s biggest challenges: balancing food security with climate and environmental goals.

The research identified alternate wetting and drying water management, direct seeded rice, and improved straw management as promising practices that significantly cut emissions and reduce freshwater use in rice cultivation. These results are especially relevant as rice sustains over 3.5 billion people worldwide but accounts for around 10% of global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

BASF’s AgBalance® Life Cycle Assessment model was deployed during the trials and proved to be a reliable tool for calculating on-farm emissions. This innovation equips farmers with an important mechanism to track their environmental footprint and potentially access carbon markets, creating opportunities to unlock new value streams alongside yield.

“After we shared the first results from our Global Carbon Field Trials in five key crops last year, these new findings in rice remind us that climate-smart solutions must be implemented and scaled where they matter most – on the farm,” said Marko Grozdanovic, Senior Vice President Global Strategic Marketing at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Only by testing in real-world conditions can we deliver meaningful, reliable results.”

Yvonne Pinto, Director General at IRRI, commented: “The global field trials with BASF clearly show the potential of climate-smart rice production to reduce emissions while also supporting farmers in adapting to extreme weather and challenging field conditions. This aligns perfectly with the science-driven partnerships we value at IRRI. We look forward to continuing this collaborative momentum and exploring new opportunities together.”

The rice initiative is part of BASF’s wider Global Carbon Field Trials, which underpin the company’s commitment to reduce CO₂e emissions in five key crops by 30% by 2030. This effort involves collaboration across BASF research and business units as well as partnerships with farmers, supply chain stakeholders, and research institutes worldwide.

“Despite the progress of our field trials, we recognize that research alone cannot drive change,” added Grozdanovic. “As one player in a complex value chain, we know that meaningful impact requires collaboration. Through our Global Carbon Farming Program, we are committed to helping farmers adopt climate-smart practices, access carbon markets, and generate verified climate impacts at scale.”

The full report and detailed findings are available on BASF’s website.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €919 million in 2024, we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2024, our division generated sales of €9.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

1 Alternate wetting and drying is a water- and climate-friendly irrigation method used in rice cultivation, in which rice fields are not permanently flooded but are alternately irrigated and drained (source: IRRI).

Media Contact:

Julian Prade
External Communications Agricultural Solutions
Media Inquiries
+49 172 62-70719
julian.prade@basf.com

SOURCE: BASF