Anheuser-Busch has invested in partnership to drive sustainability and support local and regional economies. Credit: Anheuser-Busch Companies.

US-based Anheuser-Busch has made a significant investment through the Rice Stewardship Partnership to improve water efficiency, land preservation and wildlife protection.

Anheuser-Busch first added rice as a natural ingredient to produce Budweiser. The investment will be used to fund strategies to protects such as conservation planning, irrigation efficiencies and nutrient management.

“This new partnership will help us take our agricultural innovation to the next level, as we strive towards our ambitious 2025 sustainability goals.”

Anheuser-Busch US agronomy director Jess Newman said: “From seed to sip, every step of our brewing process is focused on responsible and sustainable water stewardship and smart agricultural practices.

“The last ten years have seen us reduce water usage in our facilities by 38% and we are excited to keep moving in this positive direction.

“This new partnership will help us take our agricultural innovation to the next level, as we strive towards our ambitious 2025 sustainability goals, working side-by-side with our rice growers and the community in Jonesboro.”

USA Rice president and CEO Betsy Ward said: “USA Rice’s partnership with Ducks Unlimited and with great members like Anheuser-Busch has enabled us to provide much-needed financial and technical support to conservation-minded rice farmers who are working to continuously improve their operations and hopefully see a positive return on their investments in both future profits and achieving their sustainability goals.”