TED Talks Daily A cleaner world could start in a rice field | Jim Whitaker and Jessica Whitaker Allen
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Oct 24, 2023 Jim Whitaker, a fifth-generation rice farmer, joins his daughter, conservationist Jessica Whitaker Allen, to discuss their innovative journey towards sustainable farming. They tackle the issue of rice's significant methane emissions and share how they implement practices to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining farm profitability. Their creation of the Smart Rice Protocol aims to educate and support fellow farmers in adopting eco-friendly techniques. They emphasize how caring for the planet can yield lasting benefits for both agriculture and the environment.
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1980 Drought
- Jim Whitaker faced a potential farm foreclosure during the 1980 drought.
- This experience solidified his focus on economic sustainability.
Sustainability Focus
- Focus on economic and environmental sustainability in farming.
- These two concepts go hand-in-hand, leading to higher yields and less resource use.
Carbon Credit Success
- The Whitaker family successfully sold agricultural carbon credits to Microsoft in 2016.
- This was achieved through a designed protocol focused on rice farming.