In order to feed its growing population and counter some of the effects of global warming and industrialization, China is planning to increase production of a new kind of rice that can grow on dry soil like wheat as the country faces a serious water shortage problem.

China along with International Rice Research Institute has been working on aerobic rice that is grown like the upland crops of wheat and corn in soil that is not flooded or paddled. Aerobic rice requires 50 % to 70 % less water, although its yields are also about 30 % less than other hybrid rice.

This year about a third of 4.6 million hectares planted with lowland rice in northern China faced severe water shortage while drought led to damage to lowland rice in the south, the country's major rice areas.