Advancing global food security via multidimensional strategies for sustainable paddy productivity

Rice is a foundational crop for global food security, serving as the primary dietary staple for more than half of the world’s population and providing livelihoods for over 144 million smallholder farmers. However, the sustainability of paddy productivity is increasingly threatened by a convergence of climate-induced stress, inefficient resource use, pest and disease outbreaks, and structural socioeconomic barriers such as limited access to finance, innovation, and extension services. This review synthesizes a wide range of recent research, field studies, and policy documents to present a multidimensional strategy for enhancing rice productivity in a sustainable and inclusive manner. Key interventions identified include climate-resilient rice varieties, integrated pest management (IPM), precision fertilization, sustainable water management such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and participatory varietal selection. The review also explores the integration of emerging technologies including digital platforms, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence—in transforming rice farming systems. A comprehensive conceptual framework is proposed, incorporating agronomic innovations, climate adaptation measures, and socioeconomic enablers such as financial inclusion, gender-equitable access, and farmer capacity building. Special attention is given to Malaysia’s National Agro-Food Policy 2.0 (DAN 2.0) as a model for aligning national strategies with global sustainability goals. Through cross-country case studies, this review demonstrates how collaborative efforts between researchers, policymakers, private stakeholders, and farming communities can facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices and close existing yield gaps. It argues that future progress depends on inclusive, adaptive, and data-driven interventions that balance productivity with environmental stewardship and social equity. By embedding innovation within supportive institutional frameworks, the global rice sector can move toward a more resilient, efficient, and equitable future ensuring stable food supplies amidst escalating climate and economic uncertainties.