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Project Overview

1.Contest Categoy

Environmental Awareness Issues 

2.Title of Research Topic

A Grain of Rice’s Green Journey: Net-Zero Carbon from Farm to Table 

3.Description of Our Community

Dacun Township is located in the east-central part of the Changhua Plain, with a long, narrow east-west and narrow north-south pattern. In the east, it is bounded by the barrier ridge of the Bagua Mountain Range and is adjacent to Fengyuan Township; in the south, it is bordered by Yuanlin City and Puxin Township; in the west, it is adjacent to Poyan Township and Xiushui Township; and in the north, it is bordered by Huatan Township.

This study focuses on the Dacun Township area where our community is located.The terrain is flat, with a high topography in the east and a low topography in the west, with a slightly inverted triangular profile. The Shigou Bei Canal runs through the eastern part of the township from southeast to north-south, and farmland is concentrated in the northeastern part of the township, while farmland to the west of Zhongshan Road is sporadically distributed among the settlements.

Dacun Township has long been an agriculture-based area, with rice and grapes as its primary crops. Large-scale rice cultivation can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty when Han settlers began reclaiming the land. Rice production has therefore become an important industry for food security. However, as achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 has become a global goal, the greenhouse gas emissions produced throughout the traditional rice life cycle have become an important issue worthy of further study.

4.Summary of Our Project

Rice has long been the core staple crop of Dacun Township in Changhua County, carrying deep historical significance. However, under the challenges of climate change, carbon footprint assessments are now driving transformations within the industry. Dacun Township possesses excellent agricultural conditions, and in recent years it has adopted a life-cycle assessment framework to develop net-zero carbon reduction strategies for rice production—from cradle to grave.

In terms of field management, farmers can apply intermittent irrigation techniques to alter the soil’s anaerobic environment, thereby reducing methane emissions. This approach can be combined with optimized fertilization and agricultural microbial technologies to further reduce carbon emissions and minimize nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with extremely high global warming potential, at its source.

In the processing and logistics stages, the industry is moving toward refinement and energy transition. By harvesting rice at the optimal time to control the grain’s moisture content, energy consumption during the drying process can be significantly reduced. Additionally, rice husk–mixed drying technology can convert agricultural waste into carbon-neutral energy, creating a circular pattern of energy use.

Through technological innovation and the promotion of local production and local consumption, the rice industry is transforming traditional farming practices to move toward the 2050 net-zero emission goal, with the hope of becoming a representative model of low-carbon agriculture in Taiwan.

5.Research Project Overview

(1)Purpose of the study

♦︎ To explore net-zero carbon reduction technologies in the rice life cycle:To understand the key emission-reduction factors at different growth stages, including the use of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation, optimized fertilization, and microbial applications.

♦︎ To understand the operational model of the low-carbon rice industry:This includes life cycle assessment (LCA) carbon footprint analysis, strategies for local production and local consumption, and sustainable development practices through bioenergy recycling.

♦︎ To reflect on the contributions and challenges of individual actions in achieving the net-zero transition.

(2)Research methodology

Our project was conducted using the following methods and steps

♦︎ Literature Review & Data Collection：We gathered comprehensive data on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of rice, analyzed the primary causes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during cultivation, and explored feasible carbon reduction technologies through extensive online research and academic literature reviews.

♦︎ Interview Planning & Coordination：We identified and reached out to key stakeholders, including subject matter experts and rice processing industry professionals. We coordinated schedules and developed structured interview outlines to ensure the depth and relevance of the information collected.

♦︎ Field Research & Site Visits：We conducted on-site visits to agricultural research stations and commercial rice paddies. By observing actual cultivation models and documenting our findings through photography and audio recording, we preserved primary evidence of sustainable farming practices.

♦︎ Data Synthesis & Results Dissemination：We synthesized the collected data and field observations to draft our research insights. Finally, we developed a dedicated website to present our findings and advocate for carbon reduction initiatives within the rice industry to the general public. 

6.Our Computer and Internet Access

♦︎ Currently, there is one computer classroom with 30 desktop computers for student use.

♦︎ Each classroom is equipped with desktop computers and a single-projector system. Some classrooms added 75-inch large interactive touchscreens and related smart devices for teachers to use during classes in 2020.

♦︎ The entire school building is covered by WiFi for wireless internet access.

♦︎ The school has 80 ipads available for handheld use.

7.Problems We Had To Overcome

During this research project and competition, we encountered many challenges. Since the team members came from different grades and classes, it was difficult to find time to meet and discuss our work together. We also experienced difficulties when using certain information and technological equipment.

In particular, when searching for information and reading professional literature, the complicated content and unfamiliar technical terms were quite challenging for us. It was also difficult to determine whether the information found online was reliable or not.

Fortunately, with the guidance of our teacher, we learned how to select trustworthy sources and gradually understand the professional knowledge related to our topic. Although the process was challenging, we not only learned new skills but also became more confident in facing future challenges.

8.Our Project Sound Bite

This research helped us realize that even the rice we eat can generate greenhouse gases. By tracing the life cycle of rice, we identified the hidden greenhouse gas “villains” in our rice bowls—methane and nitrous oxide—and discovered that if we unite and change our consumption habits, we can make a significant impact.

We can start by supporting low-carbon farming practices, such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation, which allows rice fields to “breathe,” and precision fertilization. Choosing rice that is locally produced and locally consumed also helps reduce carbon emissions by shortening food miles.

We also encourage everyone to pay attention to and support negative-carbon technologies, such as converting discarded rice husks into renewable energy or transforming rice straw into biochar, which can store carbon long-term, turning agricultural waste into a valuable resource for saving the planet.

In line with this year’s theme of “Contribute & Unite!”, we believe that every small choice is a meaningful contribution to the environment. Together, through every bowl of rice we eat, we can protect the net-zero future of rice production.