US-based Mars Food has pledged its commitment with the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) to augment sustainable rice cultivation while reducing environmental footprint and improving the lives of farmers. The partnership has launched a global standard of sustainable rice that can be used by everyone in the rice supply chain.
With demand for rice expected to double up by 2050, rice manufacturers are unable to keep up with the production demands. Moreover, rice production is experiencing an adverse effect due to environmental changes that are occurring due to emissions and water usage.
Mars Food Global Director of Nutrition & Wellness and Sustainability Kristin Hughes said: "We helped shape the SRP standard and we will be using it to sustainably source 100% of our rice by 2020. We've already started to pilot the SRP standard in India and Pakistan.
"Partnering with Bayer CropScience and the International Rice Research Institute, we invested in a controlled farming program in Pakistan, and are now rolling it out to parts of India. The key has been offering incentives to farmers to take part - we can then provide training and support on how to make their farms more sustainable. It's a win-win for all involved."
The SRP was set up in 2011 to know and promote cultivation practices which reduce the impact of rice production on the environment, making it more sustainable as the years go by. The new standard consists of 46 adherences divided into eight broad topics such as productivity, worker health, food safety, and biodiversity and labour rights.
In its efforts to improve sustainable rice production, Mars Foods has developed a sustainable sourcing strategy that focused on eight raw materials black tea, cocoa, coffee, fish, peanuts, mint, palm oil and rice.
Recently, the company opened a Global Food safety Center in Beijing, with an investment of $15m, to conduct pre-emptive research on safe food practices.
Image: Mars undertakes sustainable rice cultivation practices. Photo: Courtesy of Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates.
