Researchers in Thailand are developing a new strain of rice that can survive in floods and resist certain pests. Thailand is one of the world's largest rice exporters, but unpredictable weather conditions of severe drought and heavy floods are dealing massive blows to the country's agricultural sector. The new study could help contribute to global food security, as our correspondent Dusita Saokaew reports.

Wimol looks out over his rice field submerged in water. For three months, it has been like this. He has been a rice farmer all his life, but forces out of his control are making it almost impossible to continue.

WIMOL POHPOONPHROM Rice Farmer "The past seven years have been the most difficult for rice farmers. The output is not worth the investment we put in. Usually, we can get two yields per year. This year, we can only get one. We will not make any money for seven months."

For many farmers, it is now a story of coping, rather than thriving. And finding ways to adapt to an environment that scientists have been warning about for years, is becoming harder as the years go by as the weather becomes more erratic.

But the past 10 years, warnings of climate change were heeded by scientists here at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. They have been working on creating a new strain of rice, more resilient to the impacts of climate change, and resilient to the natural threats that come as global temperatures rise.

DR. MEECHAI SIANGLIW Researcher National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Thailand "If the rice fields are damaged by environmental conditions like flooding, insects, or bacterial outbreaks, this strain of rice will help rice farmers. It will reduce the risk so that farmers won't lose income."

DUSITA SAOKAEW Suphanburi, Thailand "Flooding this year alone has devastated more than 75 percent of Thailand's provinces. Considering roughly 50 percent of the country is used for agricultural purposes, it's a massive blow for Thailand's agricultural sector. Thailand has been one of the world's top rice exporters for decades, and safe-guarding Thailand's massive rice industry is crucial for global food security."

CHAROEN LAOTHAMATAS President, Thai Rice Exporters Association "In Thailand, we overlooked the need for development over the years. Our rice has remained the same. If we do not act or find a solution, our competitiveness in the global market will be limited. It needs to be our National Agenda. We need new rice varieties with high yields in order to compete."

The world's population is expected to reach 10 billion in 2052. In order to feed everyone, global agriculture must increase its food supply by 56 percent.

A demand that must be met on a planet where little new land is available for farming, where water supplies are tightening, where temperature is rising, where the weather has become erratic and where the food system is already showing serious signs of instability. Dusita Saokaew, CGTN, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.