If rice is on half the world’s plates, its future should concern us all. That was the message from Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander of the International Rice Research Institute, who delivered one of Tropentag 2025’s most engaging sessions yet, framing his talk as a “recipe for a delicious future.”

Dr. Bjoern Ole began with an intriguing case for dry direct-seeded rice, calling it a cornerstone for the future of sustainable rice farming. By reducing water use, labor requirements, and greenhouse gas emissions, it promises a triple win for farmers, the environment, and food security. “Agronomy and breeding must go hand in hand,” he insisted, reminding participants that new varieties alone are not enough; they must be paired with the right agronomic practices.

From there, the presentation turned to the question of scale. Dr. Bjoern highlighted ratoon rice as a high-potential innovation that allows farmers to harvest more than once from the same planting, as well as the growing role of automation. “The future of rice is digital,” he said, showcasing drones that can map fields, perform precision seeding, apply fertilizer at variable rates, and even handle targeted spraying.

But technology wasn’t the whole story. Dr. Bjoern challenged the audience to embrace a circular agro-economy, turning waste into wealth through better straw management and soil regeneration practices—relevant steps for reducing emissions and maintaining soil health.

He wrapped up with his “recipe” for the future:

• New technologies like AI, gene editing, and speed breeding.
• Agronomic innovations matched with resilient varieties.
• Scaling systems and partnerships to move beyond pilot projects.
• Investment in research to keep innovation pipelines alive.

“When we combine technology, innovation, and strong partnerships, we are not just growing rice. We are growing resilience.” Dr. Bjoern Ole Sander said, as applause rippled through the room. The session left participants with a sense of both urgency and optimism: the tools to transform rice systems already exist. Now, it’s time to put them to work.