Fight to create climate change resistant rice secures £2m

The fight to develop climate change resistant strains of rice that could help feed 3.5billion people has secured £2million.

Dr Pallavi Singh has received the research funding as part of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.

Dr Singh, from the School of Life Sciences, will use the fellowship to explore how the staple crop can be adapted at a genetic level to cope with dwindling freshwater supplies.

This work is vital as rice is grown in more than 100 countries and provides nearly half of the world’s global calories.

Shortfall

All this is happening in the face of decline with the global rice market is expected to log its largest shortfall in two decades. 

As part of the project Dr Singh will work with farmers in Southeast Asia to help solve this crisis in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

It is hoped the research will lead to more resistant strains that will be adapted to new breeding programmes.

Urgency

Dr Singh said: “Rice being at the centre of the climate crisis, reinforces the need for more water use efficient crop varieties and sustainable agricultural practices.

“There is certainly a higher level of urgency when you see that there is a problem that needs a solution rapidly.

“I think the most exciting thing is just to feel that the pure science that I am doing will route out into agriculture and make a difference to rice cultivation and people.”

“During the project, I will collaborate with breeders and farmers to further promote sustainable rice production at both the IRRI centre in the Philippines and in India, benefiting rice farmers, consumers, and paving the way to environmental sustainability.”

The funding follows Dr Singh being awarded by has been honoured by The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB).

The prestigious body named Dr Singh as a recipient of the President’s Medal 2024.

Public good

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: “UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships provide researchers and innovators with long-term support and training to develop ambitious, transformative ideas.

“The programme supports the research and innovation leaders of the future to transcend disciplinary and sector boundaries, bridging the gap between academia and business.

“The fellows announced today demonstrate how these awards continue to drive excellence, and to shorten the distance from discovery to prosperity and public good.”

Dr Singh's award follows fellow Life Sciences researcher Dr Jennifer Hoyal Cuthill being receiving funding to use AI to unlock the mysteries of evolution.