Recent Advances in Rice Improvement- innovations and Impacts on Yield and Sustainability: A Review

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a semi-aquatic annual grass native to tropical Asia, holds the distinction of being the world’s most crucial food crop, serving as a staple for over a third of the global population. In many regions, particularly in Asia, it is deeply woven into cultural traditions, religious practices, culinary habits and economic frameworks. Asia accounts for more than 90% of the world’s rice production and consumption, providing 60% of the caloric intake for 3 billion people in the region. Global food security is greatly influenced by rice, which is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population. In order to satisfy the demands of a growing population and changing climate, recent improvements in rice enhancement have concentrated on improving yield, stress toleranceand nutritional quality. The production of high-yielding and stress-tolerant varieties by conventional breeding and biotechnological techniques including marker-assisted selection, genomic selectionand CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing are among the major advancements in rice breeding that are highlighted in this article. Additionally, the integration of precision agriculture and digital farming techniques has revolutionized rice cultivation, optimized resource use and minimizing environmental impact. We have discussed the challenges faced in the implementation of these technologies and the future prospects for sustainable rice production. These advancements not only promise to boost productivity but also contribute to the resilience and sustainability of rice farming systems, ensuring food security for future generations.