Vietnamese Farmers Utilize Innovative Methods To Reduce Methane Emissions In Rice Fields

In Long An province of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Vo Van Van's rice fields stand out for their unique approach to farming, as reported by Aniruddha Ghosal for the Associated Press (AP).

Collaborating with Loc Troi Group, one of Vietnam's leading rice exporters, Van has adopted AWD irrigation over the past two years. I Photo: Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Flickr

Unlike many traditional rice fields that remain flooded, Van employs drones for fertilization and practices alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation, significantly reducing methane emissions.

Inundated fields often lack oxygen, creating conditions conducive to methane-producing bacteria. Rice paddies contribute a significant portion of human-made methane emissions globally.

Vietnam, the world's third-largest rice exporter, heavily relies on rice cultivation, particularly in the Mekong Delta, where 90% of the nation's rice exports originate.

Collaborating with Loc Troi Group, one of Vietnam's leading rice exporters, Van has adopted AWD irrigation over the past two years. This method requires less water compared to traditional flooding, resulting in lower methane production.

CEO Nguyen Duy Thuan highlights the benefits, stating that farmers using these methods require 40% less rice seed and 30% less water, leading to reduced costs for pesticides, fertilizer, and labor.

Loc Troi Group plans to expand the adoption of these sustainable practices from the current 100 hectares to 300,000 hectares.

This initiative aligns with Vietnam's goal of cultivating "high quality, low emission rice" on 1 million hectares of farmland by 2030. Officials anticipate significant cost reductions for farmers, with projected profits increasing by over $600 million, according to Vietnam News, a state media outlet.