Integrating agroecology into regional planning frameworks

On January 9, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Viet Nam and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organized the "ISG Plenary Meeting 2025: Accelerating the Food Systems Transformation towards Green, Low-Emission, and Sustainability: Partnership and Innovation."

Using ODA as seed capital for de-risking agroecology investments

According to Mr. Huynh Quoc Tinh, Program Manager for Sustainable Agriculture and Food at WWF-Viet Nam, agroecology is more than just a farming technique; it is a system that delivers multi-dimensional benefits, from significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting biodiversity to directly improving livelihoods and enhancing farmers' resilience to climate change. This serves as the foundation for shifting from an "agricultural production" mindset to a "sustainable agricultural economy."

In Viet Nam, during the 2010-2025 period, many traditional systems were improved, such as floating rice combined with fish/lotus or agroforestry. Modern models like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) have also been adopted to save water and reduce methane emissions. Innovative solutions, including the application of indigenous methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs), the use of biochar, organic fertilizers, and solar power for irrigation, have minimized chemical inputs while digitizing Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) processes for more transparent green supply chain management.

However, statistics show that ODA remains the primary driver, accounting for 61.4%of total projects, while the state budget contributes only 16% and the private sector just 9%. The shortage of green finance, unsynchronized MRV data, and incompatible infrastructure are the biggest barriers to scaling up, despite Vietnam’s favorable policies and the global trend toward green consumption.

To dismantle these bottlenecks, MAE and state agencies must focus on removing the 'intermediate layer' by localizing support toolkits, building flexible agricultural extension systems, and investing in green logistics infrastructure.

For donors, ODA should be utilized as de-risking capital to mitigate investment risks, focusing on technical assistance and data standardization rather than merely implementing fragmented pilot projects. The private sector should lead the value chain by investing in low-emission raw material zones, establishing tight contract farming linkages with farmers, and promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)," Mr. Tinh recommended.

Regarding policy, agroecology must be integrated into regional planning frameworks, creating a seamless connection between irrigation infrastructure, logistics, and local ecological characteristics. Furthermore, establishing green credit mechanisms with preferential interest rates will act as a direct lever, enabling farmers to access resources for production transformation. Policies must focus on brand building based on eco-regional values, combined with community-based MRV systems to transparently track emission reductions and enhance the competitive value of Vietnamese agricultural products in the international market.

Harmonizing resource protection with stakeholders’ interests across the production chain

Land is a key factor determining the success of Viet Nam’s transition to agroecology. At present, the country’s land resources face a high risk of degradation due to climate change, unsustainable farming practices, and excessive fertilizer use. FAO research shows that Viet Nam ranks among the world’s top 20 fertilizer-consuming countries. During the 1980-2020 period, imports and use of plant protection chemicals were also recorded at high levels.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS), proposed a comprehensive roadmap, from building national databases on soils and crops to applying sustainable cultivation techniques, to restore and protect soil health. Key measures include the adoption of precision agriculture technologies and next-generation inputs such as nano fertilizers, slow-release fertilizers, and the “soil doctor” model (combining online and on-site support) to provide practical technical assistance to farmers.

“I believe it is necessary to establish a National Strategy for Soil Health Management, prioritize investment in research, and issue specific regulations for farming on sloping land. At the same time, organizing an annual International Soil Day would help raise public awareness and affirm soil health as a national asset,” he emphasized.

According to CIAT, the success of sustainable agriculture does not lie in the labels assigned to different models, but in effectively linking production and consumption through six core pillars. Consumers are particularly concerned with health, price, and trust, while suppliers prioritize economic feasibility, stable incomes, and risk management.

Although the convergence of quality and health-related demands creates favorable market incentives, in practice consumers are still reluctant to pay higher prices, while producers must shoulder environmental costs and face constraints in accessing certification information, especially smallholder farmers.

To ensure shared benefits for both producers and consumers, policies need to establish transparent certification systems, shift toward integrated data-driven management, and diversify value chains in order to deliver healthy food products at affordable prices.