A $600 million global initiative was launched by scientists on Wednesday to increase rice yields and minimize the environmental impact of rice production. The goal is to help 150 million people escape poverty by 2035. The Global Rice Science Partnership, led by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), will conduct research over the next five years to enhance yields and develop resilient strains that can withstand flooding and climate change. The initiative was announced in Hanoi during a meeting of rice scientists, executives, policymakers, and traders from nearly 70 countries to discuss research, demand, trading, and currency risks. Robert Zeigler, director general of IRRI, emphasized the importance of rice as a staple food for over half of the global population and stressed that rice availability is crucial for food security. Additionally, the research aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice production by over 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide by implementing improved irrigation methods and preventing deforestation. The consultative group stated that higher yields could prevent the need for farmers to expand into new areas, potentially saving over 1.2 million hectares of natural ecosystems by 2035. They also proposed an increase in annual funding for rice research to $139 million by 2015 in order to achieve the initiative's goals. By increasing supplies and reducing food prices, the initiative aims to help alleviate poverty for up to 72 million people by 2020. The initiative, which involves IRRI, two French organizations, a research center in Japan, and numerous other partners, aims to bring together various stakeholders from governments, the private sector, and civil society.