Vietnamese Farmers Adopt Climate-Smart Practices to Cut Methane Emissions from Rice Cultivation

Vietnamese rice farmers in the Mekong Delta are modifying their cultivation techniques to reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, while also adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Rice paddies are a major source of methane, accounting for 8% of all human-made methane emissions globally.

Farmers like Vo Van Van are adopting techniques such as alternate wetting and drying irrigation, which requires less water and produces less methane compared to traditional flooded rice paddies. This method can decrease methane emissions by up to 50%. Farmers are also using drones to precisely apply fertilizers, avoiding excess use that can release greenhouse gases.

After harvesting, farmers are no longer burning rice stubble, a practice that contributes significantly to air pollution. Instead, they are finding different uses for the straw, such as selling it for livestock feed or mushroom cultivation. These changes have not only reduced costs for farmers but have also allowed them to maintain yields and access premium organic markets.

Why this matters: Addressing methane emissions from rice cultivation is crucial for Vietnam, as the Mekong Delta, where most of the country's rice is grown, is highly vulnerable to climate change effects like flooding and droughts. The success of these climate-smart practices demonstrates how targeted agricultural interventions can deliver both environmental and economic benefits for farmers.

The Loc Troi Group, a major rice exporter, is working with farmers to expand these sustainable practices from the current 100 hectares to 300,000 hectares of farmland.

Vietnam has set an ambitious target of growing 'high-quality, low emission rice' on 1 million hectares by 2030, which could create reduce production costs by 20% and increase farmer profits by over $600 million. The World Bank is supporting Vietnam's efforts to transform its rice sector and adopt more climate-resilient farming practices.

"The new methods have reduced costs for us farmers, and we are still able to get good yields. We can also sell our rice to premium organic markets now," said Vo Van Van, a farmer participating in the climate-smart rice cultivation initiative.

Key Takeaways

• Vietnamese rice farmers adopt climate-smart practices to reduce methane emissions.
• Alternate wetting and drying irrigation can decrease methane emissions by up to 50%.
• Farmers stop burning rice stubble and find new uses for it, reducing costs and pollution.
• Vietnam aims to grow 'high-quality, low emission rice' on 1 million hectares by 2030.
• Sustainable practices deliver environmental and economic benefits for farmers.