Bioenergy on the international stage at Rice Congress 2023
The Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Energy Bioproducts and Research Institute (EBRI) attended the International Rice Congress in Manila, Philippines on 16 – 19 October, hosting a side event for delegates from across the globe, to share knowledge, research and good practice in rice straw management for clean energy.
- Rice is the number one food crop globally and 91% of it is produced and consumed in Asia. As a crop it is responsible for 48% of global crop emissions and for every kilogram of rice, a kilo of straw is produced.
- Across Asia 300 million tonnes of rice straw go up in smoke every year, releasing gases and black carbon that triple risks of increased respiratory diseases and accelerate climate change.
Mirjam Roeder and Rebecca Fothergill from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and EBRI joined the founder of Straw Innovations, Craig Jamieson and representatives from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Hung Van Nguyen and Richelle Legapsi from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to showcase cutting edge research being undertaken in making rice straw a bioenergy resource for rural communities in rice growing areas and sharing knowledge and information on the current rice straw policy in the Philippines.
Mirjam Roeder, Supergen Bioenergy Hub and EBRI said:
“Engaging with stakeholders and working in partnership across organisations is vital to the successful adoption of new technologies. I am delighted to have had this opportunity to host an event at this prestigious conference, bringing the cutting-edge research of using rice straw for clean energy to the forefront of the rice research community and supporting the pathway to net zero.”
Straw Innovations has a demonstration facility in the Philippines and has been engaged in a series of collaborative projects between the UK and the Philippines.
Craig Jamieson, Straw Innovations said:
“This conference is only held every four years and is a key event for coordinating and tracking progress in rice research. Our partnership with Aston University and SEARCA adds independent, scientific rigour to the work we do and amplifies our message to government policy makers. We are grateful to Innovate UK for their ongoing support through the Energy Catalyst Programme, which is accelerating our development.”
During the visit to the Philippines, Mirjam Roeder and Rebecca Fothergill also visited project partners and undertook a site visit of the ‘Rice Straw Biogas Hub’, an Innovate UK funded project working with the local rice farming community.
The project partnership is led by Straw Innovations Ltd with the Supergen Bioenergy and EBRI, SEARCA and Koolmill Systems Ltd. Mirjam Roeder together with SEARCA, is providing the independent environmental and social research on how the Hub can increase farmer incomes, equality of opportunity, food security and decarbonisation benefits.
For more information, contact Rebecca Fothergill, Stakeholder Engagement Manager: r.fothergill@aston.ac.uk
