Vietnam’s Innovative Rice Farming Methods

Vietnam is exploring innovative techniques to address the challenges and environmental impact of rice farming. Farmers like Van are using drones to apply organic fertilizers and adopting irrigation methods like alternate wetting and drying (AWD) that use less water and reduce methane emissions. These methods are part of efforts to tackle the paradox that while rice is highly vulnerable to climate change, its traditional cultivation methods also significantly contribute to it by generating methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Vietnam, the world’s third-largest rice exporter, is pivotal in this shift. The Mekong Delta, a critical rice-producing region, faces severe climate threats, including rising sea levels, changes in river flow due to upstream dams, and increased salinity. Modernizing rice farming is essential not only for Vietnam but globally, given the widespread reliance on this staple crop.
The Loc Troi Group, a major rice exporter, is at the forefront, promoting practices that reduce water and seed usage and lower costs. The goal is to expand these methods from the current 100 hectares to 300,000 hectares by 2030, aligning with Vietnam’s target to cultivate “high quality, low emission rice” on 1 million hectares, potentially increasing farmers’ profits by over $600 million.
The World Bank supports these efforts, acknowledging that combating methane emissions offers effective, low-cost solutions. Genetic diversification of rice, with varieties that are more resilient to heat and salinity, is also being explored. However, the transition faces financial challenges, as methane reduction receives minimal climate financing.
Overall, Vietnam’s initiatives could serve as a model for other rice-producing countries, combining technological innovation and sustainable practices to mitigate the effects of climate change while maintaining rice production.