Many rice farmers do not get paid enough for the back breaking work that they do. Most of the work is done by hand. The pay is so low that some farmers are forced to find other work out of season, often having to leave their families to work miles away.
The UN has backed a rice label that ensures farmers are paid a fair wage and the rice is grown more sustainably – The Sustainable Rice Platform.
30 – 40% of the world’s fresh water is used in rice cultivation.
Rice production is responsible for 10% world’s methane emissions. Work is being carried out to improve this:
WWF Report: Innovation in reducing methane in rice production.