IRRI presence straw management solutions supported by CABIN project at Mekong Forum 2026

Bangkok, Thailand (23 July 2026), At the Mekong forum 2026 on July 23, 2026, IRI took the stage to present field-tested options for sustainable rice straw management. As part of the session on Nexus Solutions to Transboundary Environmental Challenges, they shared how tuning agricultural waste into value can directly address regional haze, soil degradation and rural livelihoods across the Greater Mekong Subregion.

• Enhanced Soil Incorporation: Chopping rice straw (using a mulcher) and incorporating it into the soil alongside controlled water management (AWD) accelerates decomposition, improves nutrient cycling, and enhances soil health while mitigating methane emissions.
• Straw Reutilization: Repurposing harvested straw into high-value applications, such as using it directly as a substrate for mushroom cultivation or composting chopped straw with organic waste to nutrient-rich compost (organic fertilizer).
• Mechanization: Implementing any straw management solution requires a certain degree of mechanization so that non-burning becomes viable in farming practices.

The pitch sparked curiosity in the room and led to lively visits at the IRRI booth, with participants eager to learn more about our ongoing work in the region.

FYI about Mekong Forum: https://mekonginstitute.org/gms-stakeholders-advance-nexus-approach-to-regional-development-at-mekong-forum-2026/