Ibis Rice Conservation Company Ltd

IBIS Rice was founded by the Wildlife Conservation Society with a mission to save the critically endangered Giant Ibis (Cambodia’s National bird). Thought to perhaps be extinct for 50 years, conservationists rediscovered the Giant Ibis in 1993 in a dry tropical forest area vital for many endangered species (known as the Cambodian Northern Plains). The birds were living near remote farming communities growing heritage varieties of jasmine rice, facing a growing threat of habitat destruction as a result of farmland expansion, poaching and illegal logging. Recognising the central role that these farming communities played in the future of these ecosystems as well as their economic vulnerability (due to limited access to market and unclear land tenure), the team sought a way to empower farmers to protect wildlife whilst lifting them out of poverty. And thus, IBIS Rice’s wildlife-friendly farming model was born. The IBIS Rice farming model is defined by three principles organic farming, zero deforestation, and zero poaching. IBIS Rice set about working with communities to follow these standards by developing and formalising land-use plans to help secure their tenure and improving rice production whilst maintaining traditional practices to produce the purest and finest jasmine. Every rice cycle involves robust and comprehensive monitoring and certification processes (involving farmers, community groups, agronomists, conservation biologists and international auditors). Tools from community-reporting to satellite imagery ensure compliance to the strict conservation and organic standards. In return for their adherence to the rules, farmers are paid up to 70% above market price with a guarantee that all of their rice will be bought. Today, IBIS Rice works with nearly 1,800 farming families to protect over 500,000 hectares of forest.

The IBIS Rice Conservation Co., Ltd was incorporated in 2017 to deliver on the potential of IBIS Rice for farmers, wildlife and a global consumer. With major clients in Germany, Canada and the USA and the launch of our own brand in the UK IBIS Rice has an ambitious investment and growth strategy to diversify our product range and manufacturing capabilities whilst building a unique brand for both domestic and international consumers. All this while increasing our farmer base to scale-up production and evolve farmer benefits and ultimately conservation outcomes.