ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the recent work by the Food and Agriculture Organization and its national partners on the sustainable intensification of rice crop production in South-East Asia. The chapter presents new research findings on farmers’ adoption of good practices, resulting in an increase in the productivity and profitability of smallholder farming systems that can be directly attributed to Save and Grow (S&G) farmer training interventions in rice-based landscapes in the Lao PDR, Vietnam and elsewhere in the Greater Mekong sub-region. The case for increased policy support for – and public-private sector investments – sustainable intensification of crop production and education programmes for smallholder farmers is outlined in the chapter. The aim is to develop more inclusive ‘Green Rice Landscapes’ while contributing to the achievement of several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Such investments are also vital for the development of robust and resilient rural economies that are based on key circular bioeconomy concepts, principles and good practices, as outlined earlier in this book. The chapter also aligns well and provides real-world examples of a successful transformation to greater sustainability in the agriculture sector, as called for in recent landmark publications by the United Nations.
