Rice farming is a major source of methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), yet it remains a cornerstone of food security in the Asia–Monsoon region. Climate-smart water management offers an opportunity to address both challenges simultaneously. Still, there is a significant gap in scientific evidence to guide locally applicable water-management practices that can maintain or even improve food production while reducing GHG emissions. Although practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and midseason drainage followed by intermittent irrigation (MiDi) have gained traction in some areas, their adoption remains limited in the region. Concerns over yield loss, weed pressure, and insufficient technical support continue to pose barriers, while existing incentives focusing mainly on water saving and cost reduction often fall short of motivating behavioral change among farmers.

In response to the urgent need to enhance rice productivity while reducing GHG emissions, the Guidelines for Improving Rice Yield through Climate-Smart Water Management in the Asia–Monsoon Region were developed by the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS). The Guidelines emphasize yield improvement as a tangible incentive for farmers. Yield improvement, in this context, refers to increasing actual yields by narrowing the gap with attainable yields—those achievable under optimal agronomic practices.

Drawing on evidence from field trials and scientific studies, the Guidelines offer context-specific advice on how appropriate drainage can enhance rice yields without compromising environmental benefits. The Guidelines are not a prescriptive manual but a flexible reference adaptable to a wide range of agro-environmental conditions by supporting farmers, researchers, extension officers, and policymakers in:
- Planning extension programs and demonstration plots
- Developing locally adapted water-management calendars
- Informing training materials for field officers and farmers
- Providing scientific backing for policy development and investment planning

Ultimately, this document aims to contribute to decision making for national climate goals, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), while supporting resilient and productive rice-farming systems in the Asia–Monsoon region.