Global Science Conference for Climate-Smate Agriculture Poster presentation by B. Ole Sander March 2015 Montpellier, France

1. Large scale implementation of alternate wetting and drying:
Targeting priority areas for mitigation in rice production
Sander, Björn Ole1, Wassmann, Reiner1, Nelson, Andrew1; Palao, Leo1; Wollenberg, Eva2
1 International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines. E-mail contact: b.sander@irri.org ; 2 University of Vermont, USA
Why target rice production?
• Flooded rice fields are the second biggest source of
methane emissions.
• In rice producing countries GHG emissions from rice can
be a substantial factor in the national GHG budget.
• Methane is produced by archae in anaerobic soil
conditions of flooded fields.
P561
What is alternate wetting and drying?
• Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is a water-saving
technique in rice production that reduces methane
emissions by 30-70%.
• The main feature of AWD is the introduction of several dry
phases in a rice growing season.
• The soil aeration inhibits methanogenic archae and
provides other co-benefits, e.g. better root development,
less lodging, lower field inputs.
Table 1. Methane emissions from rice in selected countries
Partners and first-mover countries
Vietnam, Bangladesh and Colombia are the target countries in the
first phase of the component because of (1) their high mitigation
potential; (2) national interest in and capacity for implementation
and scaling-up; and (3) potential as regional learning sites.
In each county the component works closely together with leading
research and development organizations.
Analyses and Assessments. Activities in these countries include
biophysical analyses of AWD+, complemented by socio-economic
and policy assessments, in collaboration with national research
partners.
Approach
Fig. 4. Methodology of the biophysical suitability analysis
What is alternate wetting and drying?
• Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is a water-saving
technique in rice production that reduces methane
emissions by 30-70%.
• The main feature of AWD is the introduction of several dry
phases in a rice growing season.
• The soil aeration inhibits methanogenic archae and
provides other co-benefits, e.g. better root development,
less lodging, lower field inputs.
Fig. 1. AWD tube to observe water
table below soil surface
Fig. 2. Rice farmer practicing AWD
Component Framework
Fig. 3. Framework of the paddy rice component
Multi-stakeholder Roundtables. A series of stakeholder meetings
will be conducted to identify opportunities for practice change
(OPCs) to achieve reduction of methane emission. These OPCs can
be of different nature, e.g. agronomic, economic, social, structural
or political. Policy networks will also be established to raise
awareness and identify priorities for mitigation.
Fig. 5. This
initiative builds
on strong
stakeholder
partnerships.
Outputs of the Component. An online information kiosk will provide
access to the outputs of this component, such as
• a compilation of country- and region-specific information on AWD+
• GIS maps of AWD suitability
• technical and structural options and policy advices
All outputs of the initial phase shall feed into the second phase to
build a strong case towards policy implementation, development of
work plans for structural changes, field verification with farmer
networks, out-scaling of mitigation strategies, and broader
information dissemination in the target regions.