Dr Ando Radanielson

Senior Scientist, International Rice Research Institute, Low carbon rice

Dr Ando Mariot Radanielson is a senior scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) with expertise in climate change adaptation and mitigation. She is currently leading a project on reducing methane emissions from rice, the REMET Rice project aiming to advance the understanding of processes and mechanisms of methane emissions from rice systems to inform the design of low carbon rice systems with positive outcomes towards sustainability. Ando is a PhD graduate from SupAgro Institute in Montpellier, France on integrative plant biology and an adjunct senior lecturer of the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba in agricultural systems modeling. She has more than a decade of experience in cropping systems modeling and has contributed to different advancements of the agricultural system modeling platform APSIM and ORYZA v3 for climate adaptation. Ando has pioneered different initiatives supporting the education of the next generation of agricultural scientists and their access to opportunities for professional and personal growth such as women in STEM mentorship, seed grant program, student supervisions and crop modelling training program.

ABSTRACT

Low emissions solutions for rice, and the way forward

Rice consumption is expected to increase by up to 50% from 2010 levels by 2050 with demand largely in Asia and, more recently in Africa. Rice growing areas will need to intensify and expand in these regions. Conventional intensified irrigated rice systems have been critical in ensuring global food security. They are also among the major sources of anthropogenic Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Practices changes towards climate smart agriculture and low emissions management such as direct seeded rice (DSR),  alternate wetting and drying (AWD), short duration variety and improved straw management have led to increased yields, reduced inputs use and cost of production,  and GHG emission reductions averaging from 7% to 30%  across different regions. These benefits are site specific and depend on local context of production requiring strategic packaging and targeted implementation. This presentation will provide an overview of our current understanding of the impacts and co-benefits of proven low emission practices as well as the challenges to their scalability. We will also explore emerging technologies such as varietal improvement; soil health engineering that presented potential for emission reductions ranging from 30% to 90%. Finally, we will discuss how these solutions can accelerate the system transformation and, how partnerships and collaboration among development organizations, private and public institutions can co-create ethical and sustainable impact for rice farmers, consumers and the planet at scale.