Ozone (O₃) pollution harms rice production and threatens food security. To understand these impacts, we calibrated a crop model using unique data from experiments where rice was grown in open fields under controlled O₃ exposure (free air). This is the first time such data have been used to improve a model's ability to predict how rice responds to O₃ pollution. Our work provides a more accurate tool to study O₃'s effects and guide strategies to protect agriculture.