The annual Oxfam Rice Event 2026 will take place on May 16-17 across Macau, marking its 15th anniversary, with organisers urging the public to support smallholders affected by climate change.
During a press conference held yesterday at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre in Sai Van, Oxfam Hong Kong introduced this year’s campaign under the theme “Empower Smallholder Farmers. Change Lives with an Oxfam Rice Packet”.
The initiative aims to raise funds through the sale of rice and gift items to support vulnerable farming communities worldwide. Addressing the event, Oxfam Hong Kong Director General Henry Tang Chi-fai highlighted the growing impact of climate change on global food systems, noting that extreme weather continues to threaten livelihoods, particularly among low-income communities.
Tang said that Oxfam implements projects across the Chinese mainland, elsewhere in Asia and East Africa to help farmers adopt sustainable practices and strengthen resilience. Meanwhile, local Oxfam ambassador Terence Siufay (徐智勇) also attended the press conference, encouraging residents to support the campaign. Siufay, a Macau-born actor, singer and businessman, said each pack of Oxfam rice represents hope for farmers and called on the community to turn care into action.
The two-day event will be held at 10 locations: Bank of China Macau (Hoi Keng Tin, Nova Grand and Villa de Mer branches), BCM Bank (main branch on Avenida da Praia Grande, and Prince Flower City branch), CTM TELECENTRO Concept Store, Flower City ParknShop Shopping Centre, Lisboeta Shopping Mall (outside the food court), Pui Ching Middle School Macau (Avenida de Horta e Costa), and Santa Teresa School (Avenida do Conselheiro Borja).
Speaking to the media after the press conference, Tang elaborated on the role of technology in supporting agricultural development. He said that Oxfam is exploring advanced techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI), to assist farmers. “I think from our perspective, as always, we would like to see whether there are any technologically advanced techniques that can help the farmers”. He added that AI-driven tools are already being considered to enhance climate resilience.
“In particular, earlier on is the climate, resilience, and techniques. Those are actually utilising data from the internet and at the same time using AI to do analytics so that we can have a bit more data to help the farmers when they prepare for disaster, awareness, and things like that”, Tang said, adding that “AI definitely will be one of the main components now and also in the future, helping us to alleviate poverty in the near future”.
Organisers said the campaign not only raises funds but also aims to increase awareness of the challenges faced by smallholders, encouraging the local community to contribute to sustainable development and poverty alleviation efforts worldwide.
According to Google’s AI chatbot Gemini, Oxfam is a global confederation of 21 independent non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working together in about 80 countries and regions to tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality. Founded in 1942 as the “Oxford Committee for Famine Relief,” it has evolved from a small group of academics and activists providing wartime aid into one of the world’s most influential humanitarian and advocacy bodies.
Oxfam Hong Kong Deputy General Henry Tang Chi-fai addresses yesterday’s press conference at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre in Sai Van. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
This infographic provided by Oxfam yesterday promotes the products for its two-day “Oxfam Rice Event 2026” across Macau next month.
