A $600 million global initiative was launched by scientists on Wednesday in an effort to increase rice yields and lessen 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 improve yields and develop more resilient rice strains that can withstand flooding and climate change threats. The initiative was announced in Hanoi during a meeting of rice scientists, executives, policymakers, and traders from nearly 70 countries to discuss research, demand, and trading risks. The focus of the research is to enhance food security as rice is a staple for over half of the global population. Additionally, efforts will be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice production by over 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide through better irrigation practices and preventing deforestation. The consultative group stated that by increasing yields, farmers could avoid expanding their fields into new areas, potentially saving over 1.2 million hectares of natural ecosystems by 2035. Donors are expected to increase annual funding for rice research to $139 million by 2015 in order to achieve the initiative's objectives. The goal is to raise people out of poverty by boosting supplies and reducing food prices, with a potential impact on 72 million individuals by 2020. The initiative, which involves IRRI, two French organizations, a research center in Japan, and numerous other partners, aims to achieve these outcomes with the help of governments, the private sector, and civil society.