Integrated solutions drive low-emission crop transition

Dr. Cao Duc Phat, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Chairman of the Management Board of the Community Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction, believes that achieving an effective and sustainable transition to low-emission crop production requires implementing two major groups of solutions.

According to him, the first step is to adjust agricultural infrastructure to meet the requirements of green production, particularly the irrigation systems for rice cultivation. “To reduce emissions, irrigation systems must be invested in comprehensively, because only by timely water management can low-emission farming techniques be effectively implemented,” he emphasized. In addition, a nationwide resource mobilization plan is needed for the transition, as relying solely on the budget would be insufficient for long-term progress.

Dr. Phat noted that policy remains the crucial factor among the seven key tasks in the draft action plan. Farmers and enterprises should be recognized as the central actors, both as implementers and beneficiaries.

When they see tangible benefits and receive support to overcome difficulties, they will actively participate, especially in adopting technical advancements. Moreover, social organizations, research institutes, universities, and even consumers should be integrated into the green agriculture development ecosystem, as the transition occurs not only on the fields but across the entire value chain.

From a production-structure perspective, Dr. Phat emphasized that the main direction is to shift from high-emission crops to low-emission or carbon-absorbing crops. However, any transition must aim to improve farmers’ incomes.

He analyzed that agricultural land, especially rice fields, is decreasing rapidly, while the agricultural workforce declines by about one million people each year. In this context, the only viable path is to rely on science and technology to boost productivity, conserve resources, and reduce emissions. “Biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation must become the pillars for Vietnamese agriculture to be not only greener but also more competitive,” he stated.

He recalled that the previous agricultural restructuring process took about 15 years, beginning with Decision 899/QĐ-TTg in 2013. Meanwhile, technology evolves daily, so the new action plan must be flexible enough to adapt. “We need a balanced approach between the pace of technological innovation and the inherent stability of agricultural production,” Dr. Phat emphasized.

Many stakeholders are concerned about the measurement, reporting, verification, and unified database system (MRV). According to the former minister, establishing a legal framework soon is urgent. This framework would allow research institutes, universities, and the private sector to participate while ensuring scientific rigor, transparency, and reasonable costs.

At the same time, communication must “stay one step ahead” to help farmers understand and be willing to change their cultivation practices. “Communication is not just for dissemination; it is a tool to align farmers, businesses, and authorities in the same direction,” he said, stressing that proper awareness forms the foundation for all actions.

Finally, regarding market factors, Dr. Cao Duc Phat emphasized that this is “the first question that needs to be addressed.” If efforts stop at technical inputs without developing a market for low-carbon agricultural products or carbon credits, emission reduction efforts will struggle to be sustainable.

Viet Nam needs to strengthen the commercialization of green products, attracting domestic enterprises, foreign direct investment, and international organizations to participate in forming new value chains. He noted that Viet Nam’s agricultural productivity and output already exceed the needs of its 100-million population, so “products must be sold at good prices, allowing farmers to make a living from their work - that is true success.”

On implementation, Dr. Phat suggested focusing on key crops rather than spreading efforts too thinly. Rice remains central, covering over half of cultivated land and 40% of total agricultural emissions. In addition, coffee, already supported by the VnSAT Project and with significant export value, should be integrated. Other priority crops include maize, cassava, and fruit trees, as these five groups together account for 70% of the country’s total cultivated area.

According to him, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment should play a facilitative role, developing toolkits, technical guidelines, and incentive mechanisms that allow local authorities, enterprises, and farmers to participate proactively. When empowered and provided with clear motivation, localities can unleash creativity and develop transition models suited to their own natural and social conditions.

In conclusion, Dr. Cao Duc Phat emphasized that resources for the transition can come from multiple channels, but the most important and sustainable ones are the farmers and enterprises - the people who directly generate wealth. “When they see the benefits, low-emission farming will no longer be just a slogan, but a natural choice,” he said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Quoc Doanh, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and President of the Vietnam Gardening Association, stated that the Low-Emission Crop Production Scheme and the Soil Health Enhancement Scheme, issued in October 2024, form the “backbone” of the crop sector in this new phase.

According to Dr. Doanh, the top priority in the action plan is to develop and issue a technical package for local implementation, led by the Department of Plant Production and Protection. This serves as a crucial foundation for provinces and cities to quickly put the schemes into practice in the fields.