SCALING UP THE GREEN AGRICULTURE MODEL: LESSONS FROM THOSE WHO SUCCEEDED

After the project “Air Pollution and Open Burning in Agriculture in Vietnam,” implemented by GAHP in collaboration with VACNE with funding from Defra, alternative models to open burning in agriculture in Vietnam have demonstrated that rice straw is not “waste” that needs to be discarded, but rather a resource that can generate economic and environmental value. From the initial pilot models, many practical lessons are emerging that open pathways for scaling up nationwide.

From agricultural by-products to a new resource

Vietnam is one of the world’s largest rice-producing countries, with the amount of rice straw generated each year estimated at around 45–50 million tons. However, most of this by-product has not yet been effectively utilized; about 80% of the rice straw is wasted or burned directly in the fields, causing resource loss and greenhouse gas emissions.

The project has been piloted in several provinces and cities in Vietnam to help farmers handle rice straw scientifically.

In recent years, many rice straw treatment models based on a circular economy approach have been implemented in localities such as VInh Long, Ninh BInh, Dong Nai, An Giang, and the Mekong Delta region. Instead of burning it, rice straw is treated with microorganisms, used as organic fertilizer, cultivated for mushroom growing, or processed into biomass pellets. These solutions not only help reduce environmental pollution but also create new sources of income for farmers.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Binh – Director of Lam Sơn Environmental Sanitation Joint Stock Company, rice straw can completely become an important raw material for bioenergy production. In some localities, rice straw after harvest is collected to produce biomass pellets, a clean fuel that can partially replace coal or oil in industry.

Straw is utilized to produce biomass pellets

“Straw used to be considered a waste by-product, but if it is properly collected and processed, it becomes a very large source of raw material for the circular economy in agriculture,” Mr. Binh said.

Agricultural studies have also shown that utilizing straw can bring many benefits such as: improving soil structure, increasing organic matter content, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in rice production.

Successful models from practice

One notable approach is the model of treating straw with microbial products directly in the field. After harvest, the straw is kept on the field and treated with microorganisms to decompose quickly, becoming an organic nutrient source for the soil.

In An Truong commune, Trà Vinh province, Mr. Duong Van Cao – a farmer participating in the low-emission rice cultivation model – is one of the pioneers applying this method. In the past, his family, like many others, often burned straw after each harvest to clear the fields quickly. However, after joining the straw treatment model using microorganisms, he noticed many positive changes.

Mr. Duong Van Cao – Head of the Farmers’ Association branch of An Thanh hamlet (An Truong, Vinh Long) together with experts shared how to implement the model in the fields.

According to Mr. Cao, after a period of application, the paddy soil becomes more рых, less prone to organic toxicity, and the rice plants grow stronger and more uniformly. At the same time, the amount of chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals has also decreased significantly compared to before. “In the past, we thought rice straw had to be burned to clean the field, but when treated with microorganisms, the straw decomposes quickly and the soil becomes better. Production costs also decrease, so farmers gradually trust and follow this approach,” Mr. Cao shared.

Also participating in the model locally, Mr. Đang Van Tam – a farmer in Quoi An commune – Vinh Long (formerly Tra Vinh) – has also observed clear changes after applying the technique of treating rice straw with microorganisms. According to Mr. Tám, this method helps limit pests and diseases, reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers, and improve the quality of cultivated soil. “After a few seasons of application, the rice fields are healthier, the soil is softer, and there are fewer pests and diseases. Costs go down while yields remain stable, so farmers are very pleased,” Mr. Tam said.

These real results from the fields have gradually changed the farming habits of many farmers in the area. From initial skepticism, more and more households are now willing to adopt environmentally friendly rice straw treatment solutions.

Not only at the household level, these models have also received support and wider promotion from local authorities. Mr. Tran Van Phong – Head of the People’s Committee of An Thanh hamlet, An Truong commune, Vinh Long said that changing the practice of burning rice straw requires time and persistence. At first, farmers were hesitant because they were not familiar with the new technique. But when they saw the effectiveness in the fields of pioneering households like Mr. Cao and Mr. Tam, many others began to follow.

Project to expand training and capacity-building classes for farmers in local areas

A common factor that has created successful models in the project is the active participation of farmers. Instead of being merely beneficiaries, farmers become the ones who directly experiment with, improve, and spread green farming solutions. In many localities, training classes, workshops, and demonstration models have helped farmers access new techniques. When they see real results right on their own fields lower costs, healthier soil, and stable yields people are willing to change their traditional farming practices.

In particular, the role of rural women has also been recognized as an important factor in this transformation process. In many localities, women not only participate in production but are also active in community communication activities, encouraging people to adopt environmentally friendly rice straw treatment solutions.

From practical implementation in many localities, experts believe that scaling up green agriculture models should be based on several important lessons. First, solutions must be suitable for the actual production conditions of farmers. If the technology is too complicated or the cost is too high, it will be difficult for people to apply it in the long term. Successful models all share common characteristics: They are simple, easy to apply, and bring clear economic benefits.

Rural women are also a key factor in the spread of the project.

Accordingly, there needs to be a connection between science, government, and the community. Research institutes and experts provide technical solutions; local authorities support policies and organize implementation; while farmers are the ones who directly apply and disseminate the model.

At the same time, communication and training play an important role. Changing a long-standing farming habit cannot happen in a short time. Organizing training sessions, conducting community communication, and building practical demonstration models help people clearly understand the benefits and feel confident in applying them.

Finally, it is necessary to develop value chains from agricultural by-products. When rice straw can become a source of raw materials for products such as organic fertilizer, straw mushrooms, or biomass pellets, farmers will have a strong motivation to change the habit of burning straw. Results from pilot models show that managing rice straw according to a circular economy approach is entirely feasible in Vietnam. However, for these models to be widely replicated, coordinated support from multiple stakeholders is needed.

Authorities and local governments need to improve institutions and policies to create a sustainable foundation that supports agricultural development for people.

First of all, localities need to develop policies that encourage farmers to adopt environmentally friendly solutions for handling rice straw, such as providing technical support, training, or connecting markets for products made from agricultural by-products.

In addition, it is necessary to promote the participation of businesses in the rice straw value chain, from collection and transportation to processing into valuable products such as biomass pellets or organic fertilizer.

In the context of Vietnam promoting goals of green agricultural development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, utilizing agricultural by-products such as rice straw is considered an important solution. Successful models in localities show that when science, policy, and the community work together, positive changes can absolutely begin right from the fields themselves.

Green transformation models need to be replicated and spread so that Vietnam can become increasingly prosperous.

From rice fields no longer filled with smoke after the harvest season, a new direction for sustainable agriculture is gradually taking shape. And the lessons from today’s pioneering farmers are precisely the foundation for green agricultural models to continue expanding in the future.

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