Rice is a major energy source and micronutrient for more than half of the world’s population, but it lacks enough zinc to meet human nutritional needs. In addition, climate change, especially rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, is reducing zinc levels in grains. Therefore, rice bio-enrichment has been identified as a major goal for increasing zinc levels in grains to alleviate global zinc deficiency. There is a wide range to accelerate the development of High Zn varieties by applying biotechnology tools such as gene gun method and advanced genomics technology Successful intake and consumption requires an effective rice value chain, quality control and promotion of Zn bio-enriched varieties. Low zinc uptake, transport, and grain load have been identified as major bottlenecks in rice zinc bio enrichment. Nevertheless, the environmental and genetic factors of grain zinc accumulation in rice have not been fully studied. This review critically examines important genetic, physiological, and environmental variables that affect zinc uptake, transport, and utilization in rice. It also studies the genetic diversity of rice germ plasms and provides new genetic tools for bio-enhancement of zinc.