Driving Water Efficiency and Climate Action in Rice Cultivation

Since independence, Pakistan’s groundwater levels have been steadily declining and have now reached a critical stage. In response, RPL and Netzero-Ag are committed to reducing water usage in rice cultivation, enhancing water productivity, and contributing to methane reduction. To support this mission, RPL has provided and installed 40,000 Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) tubes across 35,000 acres in the districts of Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, and Nankana. AWD is a proven water-saving technology that enables farmers to significantly reduce irrigation without compromising yield. Under this method, irrigation is applied a few days after the standing water has disappeared, allowing fields to alternate between flooded and non-flooded conditions. The duration of the non-flooded period can range from 1 to over 10 days, depending on soil type, weather, and crop stage. By minimizing prolonged ponding, AWD not only conserves water but also plays a vital role in reducing methane emissions generated in continuously flooded rice fields. Through these initiatives, RPL and Netzero-Ag are helping farmers adopt climate-smart practices and safeguard Pakistan’s agricultural future.