New whole-grain “Super Rice” to combat climate change and malnutrition

As the world moves towards a population of nine billion, the challenge is no longer just producing enough food but ensuring that it is nutritious and sustainably grown as well. With climate pressures increasing and agricultural lands becoming more limited, researchers continue to explore innovations that can help secure the future of rice-based food systems.

To support this goal, scientists at IRRI and their global partners succeeded in developing a new rice variety, the whole-grain “Super Rice”. The work is part of the Green Super Rice (GSR) initiative launched in 2008. The Green Nutritious Super Rice (GNSR) programme focuses on developing high-yielding, multi-stress-tolerant rice that is also nutrient-rich and environmentally sustainable.

The prototype for GNSR is whole-grain black rice, which is being explored for its potential to unlock vital proteins, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds, going far beyond basic calories. IRRI emphasises that even small increases in nutrient content can have a significant health impact on billions of people who rely on rice as a daily staple.

According to IRRI, past GSR efforts have already yielded 78 varieties released globally, covering 44 million hectares, which show resilience to drought, flooding and heat, while also performing well with reduced applications of costly fertilisers and pesticides.

Further research

The GNSR breeding programme is now focused on developing whole-grain varieties with enhanced traits like improved taste, longer shelf life, low glycemic index and higher antioxidant levels through natural pigmentation. Scientists are also using advanced techniques, including gene editing, to boost micronutrient density and ensure safety from heavy metals. IRRI is urgently pushing for continued collaboration to accelerate the development and release of these climate-positive, nutritious varieties, arguing that the time to transform global rice systems is "now or never".

(IRRI/wi)

For more details, read the news release from IRRI