DATE: June 2026
SECTOR: Rice, Global Agriculture, Climate Resilience
SOURCE: Scientific Reports, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
TOPIC: The influence of agricultural management and environmental factors on global rice production
SUMMARY: A study examining how farming practices, climate change, and rising atmospheric CO₂ have influenced global rice production over the past five decades.
DESCRIPTION: Published in Scientific Reports, this University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study examines the environmental and management factors that have shaped global rice production since the 1960s. Using observational data and process-based modelling, the researchers found that global rice production nearly doubled over the period, despite increasing climate pressures. The study concludes that expanded irrigation, improved nutrient management, and increased cropping intensity were the main drivers of higher production, helping to offset an estimated 7% reduction in output caused by climate change. The findings highlight the important role of climate-smart agricultural management in improving productivity while strengthening the resilience of global food systems.
Read a summary article: Agricultural management offsets climate losses in global rice production
Access the full report: Management practices and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels helped to sustain a high level of global rice production
