Tilda leads charge for sustainable rice production

Tilda, the UK's leading premium rice brand, has taken further bold steps to reduce the environmental impact of rice cultivation through its Alternate Wet and Dry (AWD) growing programme for basmati rice, along with other sustainability initiatives outlined in its 2023-2024 Impact Report.

The efforts are part of an ongoing commitment by Tilda - the first UK rice company to be B Corp certified when it received the accreditation in July 2023 – to remain one of the world’s most responsible rice producers, while also addressing the social and economic needs of farming communities.

Further reducing the impact of rice growing

Traditional rice farming uses between 3,000 and 5,000 litres of water per kilogram of rice as the crop is usually grown in permanently flooded fields. But this traditional method of growing produces large amounts of methane as a by-product of the anaerobic process that takes place when rice plants grow in flooded fields.

By contrast, the alternate wet and dry (AWD) irrigation technique, developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), is a more sustainable way of growing rice that allows fields to largely dry out between floods, resulting in less water use and a reduction in the amount of time rice plants are flooded, thereby significantly reducing the release of methane.

After first testing AWD techniques with a small group of basmati rice growing farmers in 2021, Tilda extended its programme to include 1,270 farmers in northern India in 2023. The results – released for the first time today following extensive review – have been impressive and the company now plans to extend its programme to as many of the 2,500 farmers it works with in the region as possible.

In a traditional continuously flooded rice production system, farmers usually conduct 20-25 flooding cycles per growing season. But farms who have collaborated with Tilda to follow the AWD method have been shown to typically conduct at least five fewer flooding cycles by using a simple perforated pipe inserted into the ground to allow farmers to see when the crop needs to be flooded again. Evidence from the 2023 basmati crop shows that this also resulted in the electricity required to pump the water required to irrigate the crop, falling by more than a quarter.

In addition, the considerable body of scientific research that has assessed the impacts of AWD, and drawn on by the International Panel on Climate Change in its latest estimates (IPCC 2019), shows that adopting AWD can reduce methane emissions by an average of 45% when compared to continuously flooded paddy fields, although the scope for methane reduction could potentially be as high as 70%.

Jean-Philippe Laborde, Managing Director of Tilda, explains: “Rice is a key staple for billions of people, but sadly the traditional methods of cultivation contribute significantly to climate change.

“Through AWD, we’re proving that it is possible to produce rice in a way that is not only more sustainable but also beneficial for farmers, who are also seeing both cost savings and

improved yields as a result of using this method. Through this important work, we believe we are showing not only what can be achieved in northern India, but also across the global rice industry.”

Supporting the wider environment and biodiversity

In addition to, and including, the 1,270 farmers that Tilda has been working with under its AWD programme, Tilda also provides broader farm advisory services and assistance to a total of 2,500 farmers.

This assistance includes the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach that moves away from a mainly pesticide-based system to make greater use of alternative forms of pest control.

IPM reduces the environmental footprint of pest control practices in a way that also supports biodiversity. Tilda also offers farmers advice and free pheromone traps to attract insect pests. This helps to determine pest levels in fields and allows for better targeted – and reduced – use of crop protection products.

“We also provide straw bundles that create a habitat for spiders which act as a natural form of ‘biological’ pest control,” explains Laborde, “and, in the latest year under review, the combination of our advice and the integrated pest management approach resulted in farmers in our AWD programme reducing the environmental footprint associated with their crop protection practices by 80%, as measured by Cornell University’s Environmental Impact Quotient indicator (EIQ) when compared to farmers using continuous flooding techniques and crop protection practices founded on the prophylactic application of pesticides.”

Counting the total benefits of Tilda’s 2023 sustainability programme

“I am also delighted to report that our wider sustainability programme has resulted in significant contributions in all focus areas, and average yields on farms applying the AWD technique, allied to good extension advice and integrated crop management techniques, were 7% higher than farms outside the sustainability programme,” explains Laborde.

Fertiliser use on the farms in the sustainability programme was also significantly lower than on farms outside the programme – and equated to 25% lower per tonne of rice grown.

Pesticide use and the associated environmental impact of pesticide use, as measured by the EIQ indicator, was found to be significantly lower on farms using AWD with integrated forms of pest management (IPM) compared with farms outside the programme that are not using any form of IPM.

The amount of electricity used for pumping irrigation water was 27% lower per tonne of rice grown on farms in the sustainability programme, while irrigation water use was 28% lower per tonne of rice grown.

And carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions were 36% lower per tonne of rice grown on farms in the sustainability programme compared with farms outside the programme.

Finally, across the entire 2023 sustainability programme area:

· Total electricity use was reduced by just over 2 million kilowatt hours (kwh) – equivalent to the annual consumption of about 770 UK households

· Total water use fell by 10.7 billion litres of water, approximately equal to the annual consumption of about 207,000 adults in the UK

· CO2e emissions fell by the equivalent of 8.9 million kg of carbon dioxide – equivalent to taking 5,910 UK cars off the road for a year

“Overall, farms in our sustainability programme have reduced their farm-level carbon footprint by more than a third, arising from a combination of the methane emission-reducing benefits for those using the AWD technique, reduced use of energy for irrigation, cuts in the use of fertilisers and savings on pesticide use,” adds Laborde.

“Allied to this have been increases in yields, cost of production savings and thereby higher incomes for the farmers in the programme.”

Expanding Sustainability Across the Supply Chain

Tilda’s sustainability efforts also extend well beyond the farm. The company has committed to reducing its overall environmental impact by focusing on sustainable manufacturing, packaging innovation, and responsible sourcing. Since 2020, Tilda’s UK manufacturing facilities have been powered entirely by renewable electricity, contributing to a 36% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per kilogram of rice produced.

In addition, Tilda is taking steps to reduce its use of plastic packaging. The company aims to ensure that all its packaging is 100% recyclable by 2027, in line with the UK’s upcoming kerbside collection system. This effort is part of Tilda’s broader commitment to creating a circular economy, where waste is minimised, and materials are reused or recycled.

A Holistic Approach to Community Impact

Tilda’s sustainability initiatives are also not limited to environmental concerns. The company is deeply committed to supporting the communities where it operates. Through partnerships with organisations like The Felix Project and Mary’s Meals, Tilda has donated over 960,000 meals to feed vulnerable communities in need. These partnerships are part of Tilda’s broader mission to ensure that its impact on society is as positive as its impact on the environment.

Laborde adds: “Sustainability is about much more than just the environment. It’s about creating a positive impact on people’s lives, from the farmers who grow our rice to the consumers who enjoy it. We are proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there is still more to do.”

Looking Ahead

As Tilda looks to the future, its focus will remain on expanding the AWD programme and continuing to drive sustainability across the entire rice supply chain. The company’s ambition is to lead the way in sustainable rice production, not only in India but globally. By working closely with farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders, Tilda hopes to create a blueprint for responsible rice cultivation that can be adopted worldwide.

“We are now four years into our AWD programme and are delighted with the strong progress we have made,” says Laborde. “Our goal is to share what we’ve learned and encourage the entire rice industry to adopt practices that benefit both people and the planet. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for rice production.”