Vietnam combines SRI methods, tech investment, and carbon credits to reduce GHG emissions

In the implementation of the sustainable development project for one million hectares of high-quality, specialized rice linked to green growth in the Mekong Delta, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in rice farming has become a key focus for localities.

However, this is a new direction that presents numerous challenges in terms of changing production mindsets, applying science and technology, and mobilizing investment capital.

Curbing emissions in rice farming

According to the World Bank, agriculture is the second-highest emitting sector, contributing about 19% of Vietnam’s total national emissions in 2020. Of this, approximately 48% of agricultural emissions and over 75% of methane emissions came from rice production.

Studies show the main causes of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam’s rice farming include unsustainable agricultural intensification, high rates of fertilizer and irrigation water usage, improper management of rice residues like straw and husks, and inefficient energy use.

To reduce emissions, these bottlenecks must be addressed. Vietnam has already started applying advanced farming methods to green its rice cultivation.

One example is the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), an eco-friendly farming method that improves efficiency and yields while reducing emissions. This method reduces input costs by minimizing the use of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, and conserving water.

Techniques include transplanting young seedlings, using single seedlings, wider spacing, controlled water management, mechanical weeding, and applying organic fertilizers.

According to Duong Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Northern Plant Protection Center, from 2016 to 2020, 17 provinces implemented 1,192 SRI models with the participation of more than 4 million farmers, covering about 300,000 hectares annually.

The results of SRI in Vietnam show a 70-90% reduction in seed use, 70-100% less chemical pesticide usage, water conservation, fewer pests and diseases, stronger plant structure, higher yields, and a cost reduction of 342 to 520 VND (USD 0.013 to 0.02) per kilogram of rice.

In Bac Kan province, depending on the rice variety, soil conditions, and the degree of SRI application, yields rose by 10-20%, equivalent to an increase of 3.2 million to 5.8 million VND (USD 125–227) per hectare per crop.

Calculations suggest that if 100% of the province’s rice area applied SRI, annual savings from reduced seed use and yield increases alone would total 18.2 billion VND (approximately USD 713,000). Furthermore, the shift to organic fertilizers and water conservation contributes directly to reducing emissions and advancing low-emission rice production.

Not only local authorities but also many companies in rice production, processing, and export are promoting low-emission certified rice.

With the motto “Sustainable development with farmers,” Loc Troi Group has employed drone technology to reduce water use in spraying and irrigation, adopted solar energy in production, and developed eco-balanced crop protection solutions that reduce chemical use by one million liters annually. The company also adheres to the SRP (Sustainable Rice Platform) standard and is preparing for future carbon credit trading.

Combining solutions

At COP26 in Glasgow, Vietnam pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Recently, during the fourth Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems, the country also set a goal to become a transparent, responsible, and sustainable food producer, ensuring both national and global food security.

According to Tran Minh Hai, Vice President of the School of Public Policy and Rural Development, achieving a high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation zone requires prioritizing science and technology in various areas: developing new rice varieties suited to both domestic consumption and export markets, with high nutritional value and climate resilience; applying good agricultural practices integrated with advanced and digital technology; establishing fully mechanized rice farming models; implementing blockchain-based transparent management systems for the rice value chain; and innovating in the use and recycling of rice by-products such as straw and husks, along with deep processing of bran and rice.

Beyond technology, collaboration with international partners like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank is vital to secure financial, policy, and technical support. This includes building a measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system for emissions mitigation and developing a carbon credit market for linked rice production zones.

Developing technology to reuse rice by-products like straw and husks and deep-process rice and bran adds value.

Such investment is essential because transitioning to low-emission rice farming is costly. A notable example is the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project (VnSAT), funded by the International Development Association (IDA), which ran from 2015 to 2022. The project helped over 240,000 rice farmers implement “alternate wetting and drying” irrigation and the “1 must 5 reductions” method across about 163,418 hectares.

This led to lower input usage, such as fewer pesticides, fertilizers, and water, as well as a 20–30% reduction in post-harvest losses, a 3–4% increase in yields, a 5–10% increase in rice prices, and a 28% boost in net profits, mostly by lowering production costs. It also helped reduce nearly 1.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The World Bank estimates that Vietnam will need to invest about USD 515 per hectare to meet its moderate emissions reduction targets and up to USD 3,890 per hectare for more ambitious targets by 2030.

Though costly, the long-term net benefits are significant. These include reduced emissions, water savings, lower production costs, improved air and water quality, and upgraded rice value chain infrastructure.

Moreover, sustainable low-carbon rice farming can enhance food safety and rice quality by reducing chemical residues and water pollution. In value terms, these savings could outweigh the investment costs.

As the one-million-hectare high-quality rice development project expands across the Mekong Delta, the area under low-emission rice cultivation will also increase, with the dual goal of selling high-grade rice and earning carbon credits on the global market.

PV

Published Date: August 11, 2025