Agribusiness must adopt a green approach to breakthrough

In the context of the world shifting toward a green growth model, where ESG (environment, social, governance) standards have become a mandatory “passport” for international goods, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tra My, CEO of PAN Group and Chairwoman of Vinaseed, believes that Vietnamese businesses cannot afford to stay on the sidelines.

A market without limits

According to Ms. My, over the past three years, PAN Group has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from traditional production to a low-emission agricultural value chain. In the crop seed sector, Vinaseed - a PAN subsidiary - has developed and introduced multiple low-emission rice varieties, using biofertilizers, saving irrigation water, and minimizing straw burning, thereby protecting the environment and enhancing cultivation value.

After just four harvests, the yield and added value from Vinaseed’s low-emission rice varieties have increased many times over. These results not only provide higher incomes for farmers but also significantly reduce CO₂ emissions across the cultivation chain.

These shifts will enable Vietnamese rice to better meet global market demands, particularly in Europe, where standards on origin, emissions, and agricultural sustainability are becoming increasingly stringent. “Customers no longer ask whether you produce green; they require you to prove it. This is no longer a choice, but a mandatory condition for businesses to survive,” Ms. My emphasized.

Thanks to early transformation, PAN’s products are now exported to over 40 international markets. Vinaseed alone is present in more than 20 countries, including eight European nations - markets known for their stringent sustainability standards. From seeds and rice to fruits and processed foods, all products are traceable and comply with low-emission criteria.

During market survey trips in Europe, Ms. Tra My witnessed firsthand the rapid shift in consumer demand. She said she was “surprised” to see people willing to pay more for products with low carbon footprints, recycled packaging, and transparent processes. “This makes me confident that the market for green products continues to expand,” she shared.

Based on this, Vinaseed’s leadership believes that the strictness of international markets should not be seen as a barrier, but as a motivation for Vietnamese businesses to upgrade themselves. Meeting environmental standards not only opens doors to new markets but also helps companies manage risks, save energy, optimize resources, and enhance brand reputation.

“This is a long-term game that requires serious investment, but the reward is well worth it: the opportunity to access the world’s most valuable markets,” Ms. My said.

Collaboration for speed and reach

Recognizing that green transformation requires significant resources, PAN Group has chosen to collaborate with partners to jointly advance the shift to sustainable practices. “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. We are cooperating with numerous international corporations, particularly Japanese partners - a country leading in clean technology and agriculture,” Ms. My added.

One notable collaborative project is PAN’s partnership with a Japanese corporation to trial an organic bio-product that has already been successfully applied on over 50% of agricultural land in Japanese cooperatives. The project has been underway for nearly a year and is showing promising results in Viet Nam.

If scaled up, this model will form a comprehensive solution package, including low-emission crop varieties, plant-protecting bio-products, and organic fertilizers, creating a “closed-loop green production chain” that boosts productivity, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves the quality of export agricultural products.

The company’s goal is not only to produce tastier rice but also cleaner, lower-emission rice that can be scientifically verified.

PAN has now applied ESG standards across all stages, from internal governance, production, and logistics to marketing, aiming for a Net Zero target.

The Group is also heavily investing in a circular value chain, using agricultural by-products as inputs for organic fertilizers, animal feed, or bioenergy. Processing plants utilize renewable energy, reduce electricity and water consumption, and implement emission measurement systems to ensure supply chain transparency.

“We do not see emission reduction as a burden, but as an investment in the future. If we do not act now, businesses will be excluded from the global value chain,” she emphasized.

Image: Vinaseed products at the Conference