Imagine a world where your favorite rice dish could vanish from your plate because of unpredictable weather—it's a scary thought, isn't it? That's the reality facing rice farmers today, and companies like Mars are stepping up in a big way to change that story.
Think about how much rice you personally consume each year. Data from USA Rice reveals that the typical American goes through about 27 pounds—that's roughly the heft of a full pack of bottled water. Rice isn't merely a pantry essential; it's the dietary backbone for over half the planet's inhabitants and a key economic lifeline for nearly one in five people globally.¹ With escalating threats from severe weather like prolonged dry spells, overwhelming floods, pesky insects, and crop-damaging illnesses putting pressure on rice production, and with U.S. demand for this versatile grain steadily climbing, forward-thinking giants such as Mars are prioritizing robust supply chain strategies to ensure rice remains a reliable global resource.
Tackling the Tough Times: Mars's Push for Tougher Rice Farming
The Arkansas Delta, a lush stretch hugging the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas, stands as one of America's top agricultural powerhouses. It contributes an impressive 49.3% of the nation's rice output and covers 49.9% of the total rice-planted land in 2024.² But these days, its rich soils are under siege from droughts that parch the earth, encroaching saltwater due to climbing oceans, and sudden deluges that drown crops. These mounting pressures underscore a pressing call for fresh ideas to protect and sustain this vital food source—focusing on each individual grain to build long-term stability.
Mars, the powerhouse behind beloved names like Ben’s Original™—a globally adored rice label—alongside Tasty Bite® and Seeds of Change™, crafts over 40 popular U.S. food, snack, and pet products. We know intimately how rice weaves into daily life in American homes and beyond. Far from just a basic food item, rice forms the foundation of traditions and sustenance for more than four billion souls around the globe. Our mission extends well past marketing goods; it involves celebrating rice's worldwide importance and backing the growers, communities, and households that rely on it for their well-being.
"Leading the charge in the rice sector means we have a real chance to aid growers throughout our network in tackling eco-hurdles that jeopardize their way of life," shares Dave Dusangh, President of Mars Food & Nutrition in North America. "Teaming up hand-in-hand with our allied farmers, we're crafting a greener, hardier, and more inventive rice network that serves both humanity and our Earth."
Pioneering Smarter Water Use for Tomorrow
Drawing on our deep-rooted know-how and worldwide assets, we're guiding farmers toward cutting-edge farming methods that save precious water and slash harmful gas releases into the atmosphere. For beginners, greenhouse gases like methane trap heat in our planet's atmosphere, much like a blanket, contributing to climate change—so reducing them is a win for everyone.
Traditional rice growing typically involves keeping fields perpetually soaked, a process that's notoriously thirsty on water and starves the soil of oxygen, fostering bacteria that churn out methane—a potent greenhouse gas. But here's where it gets exciting: Mars is empowering farmers to switch to smart water-handling tools and tech that boost efficiency, fortify defenses against weather shifts, and trim those emissions. Let's break down a few standout options with some real-world context:
Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): Picture this technique as giving your rice field scheduled 'bath times' followed by dry spells, instead of a non-stop soak all season. Studies show it can cut water needs by as much as 30% and drop greenhouse gas outputs by over 40% per cycle,³ making it a game-changer for water-scarce areas like the Delta.
Multiple Inlet Rice Irrigation (MIRI): This setup uses a network of pipes with several entry points spread across the field to deliver water more precisely, like a targeted sprinkler system rather than a wasteful hose. It streamlines distribution, lowers overall water use, and curbs emissions without skimping on crop health.
Row Rice, also known as Furrow Irrigation: Skip the full flood and instead channel water directly into furrows between crop rows—think of it as watering garden beds individually. This not only conserves H2O but also simplifies switching to other crops in rotation, adding flexibility for farmers facing varied seasons.
Zero-Grade Fields: These are meticulously leveled plots with zero tilt, ensuring water spreads uniformly without needing barriers or extra channels. For newcomers, it's like creating a perfectly even skating rink for water flow. This cuts down on heavy soil work, ramps up efficiency, and lets farmers pocket up to 37% more water savings per season over old-school sloped or bordered setups.⁴
And this is the part most people miss: While these innovations sound straightforward, ditching age-old routines isn't easy. Upfront costs for equipment, worries over dipping harvests, and the sheer habit of sticking to what's familiar can deter even eager farmers. That's where Mars shines—we offer bonus payments above standard market rates to encourage trials, and we exchange insights on performance so everyone can track the eco-gains. This collaboration has proven to farmers in our network that these shifts don't harm output; quite the opposite. Data indicates that pairing zero-grade fields with AWD can slash water use by 65%⁵ while keeping yields steady—imagine growing the same bountiful harvest with far less environmental toll.
"Mars's support in rolling out these eco-friendly farming tweaks is a lifeline, as it motivates us to experiment beyond our comfort zones," notes Terry Gray, a dedicated rice grower from Arkansas tied into Mars Food & Nutrition's network. "We're testing these approaches to maintain robust harvests without overtaxing the soil—and the outcomes prove it's a boon for the whole ecosystem."
Teaming Up to Shield Growers and Our World
"Today's rice farming obstacles call for daring visionaries, and allies like Mars are key to sparking real progress," affirms Peter Bachmann, President and CEO of USA Rice. "Harnessing its vast tools, knowledge, and reach, Mars is enabling farmers to embrace climate-adaptive practices that protect their incomes and preserve nature's balance."
At Mars, our principle of mutuality—essentially, thriving together—drives everything. Partnering across our entire supply line is how we forge a safer tomorrow for producers, locales, and the environment alike. Our rice efforts embody this, as we confront issues head-on and co-create the sustainable path forward, grain by grain.
Backed by our unwavering Sustainable in a Generation initiative, Mars is leading the way in transformative advancements that bolster American rice agriculture, inspiring broader shifts in worldwide food networks amid constant change.
But let's stir the pot a bit: Is incentivizing farmers with premiums the best way to drive change, or does it risk creating dependency on big corporations? What do you think—should more companies follow Mars's lead, or are there hidden downsides we're overlooking? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree or have a counterpoint!¹ Rice - Rice Sector at a Glance | Economic Research Service. n.d. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/rice/rice-sector-at-a-glance
² Handbook, IPM, AND-STaR | Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/rice/
³ Mars & Riceland Sustainable Rice Program (Arva Intelligence)
⁴ Massey et al. 2022, Direct Comparisons of four rice irrigation systems on a commercial rice farm, Agricultural Water Management, Vol 266, 31 May 2022 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378377422001536
⁵ Mars & Riceland Sustainable Rice Program (Arva Intelligence)
