Number of factors have slowed pace of harvest.

Dryness issues linger in numerous regions across the world.

Self-sufficiency drops from 80% to 77%.

Strategie Grains lowers estimates on planted area, production in 2020.

In order to create a new regional network for sharing and evaluating IRRI-developed rice breeding lines.

Output will still be second largest on record, according to farm ministry.

It is a drought tolerant crop that is utilized to create food, animal feed and biofuel.

GrainGrowers supports aid but are pushing for more.

The pilot project addresses rice lands being threatened by climate-related stress.

Rising average global temperatures and shifting weather patterns are placing an unprecedented strain on the world’s water supply and quality.