Rice is an important staple of Southeast Asian diets. Yet the crop is very vulnerable to weather fluctuations like droughts and floods in countries like Cambodia, where rainfall patterns mean farmers typically rely on a single crop annually. Cambodian farmers also largely rely on a few traditional varieties, which take longer to mature and are less adaptable to weather conditions.

The below video from Agrilinks looks at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)’s pioneering work to develop a new variety for Cambodian rice farmers.

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The variety has been engineered to withstand droughts, and its shorter growth cycle means farmers can plant and harvest three times in a growing season. The result is higher incomes and yields for Cambodian farmers, and a more stable crop of this important dietary staple.

Learn more at http://irri.org.