 Rice farming is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on freshwater resources and the abandonment of small water bodies used for irrigation and drainage. However, reintroducing these small water bodies could reduce the water footprint of rice production by up to 30%, saving 9% of China's freshwater consumption and increasing irrigation self-sufficiency from 3% to 31%. Additionally, this approach would allow rice farmers to better cope with drought conditions, as well as mitigate yield losses during dry periods. This article was authored by Cisi Li, Yang Huo-Chuang, Hongbin Liu, and others.