Mekong Delta farmers trained on MRV techniques

Building a knowledge foundation for people practicing low-emission rice production

From November 13 - 15 in Long Xuyen ward, An Giang province, the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC) coordinated with the Institute of Agricultural Environment (IAE) and the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center to organize a training course on “Guidelines for Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of Greenhouse Gas Emissions” for 30 learners including agricultural managers, technicians, agricultural extension officers, cooperative members and community-based extension groups in An Giang. This activity is part of the capacity-building program for trainers on high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta.

The course is considered an important preparatory step for An Giang to properly, fully, and transparently apply technical requirements on greenhouse gas reduction, as it is one of the key localities implementing the Scheme of one million ha of high-quality, low-emission rice.

A representative of the Institute of Agricultural Environment stated that MRV is not just a measurement tool but the “backbone” of low-carbon agricultural models. A precise and transparent MRV system will enable Vietnam to quantify emission-reduction outcomes, thereby unlocking opportunities to access carbon finance and international support mechanisms.

During the training, experts emphasized that wet rice cultivation is among the largest sources of methane (CH₄) emissions in agriculture. Therefore, building an MRV system is mandatory for Vietnam to fulfill its greenhouse gas-reduction commitments and meet the targets of the Project for One million ha of high-quality, low-emission rice.

One of the training program’s highlights was a field trip to two 50-ha pilot models applying MRV at Hiep Xuan Phu Cooperative (Binh Thanh Dong commune) and Thanh Nien Phu Hoa Cooperative (Tan Hoi commune). Here, learners observed how activity data is collected, production logs are recorded, alternate wetting and drying irrigation is monitored, and rice straw and fertilizer use are assessed in practice.

Dr. Bui Thi Phuong Loan, Head of the Modeling and Database Department of the Institute of Agricultural Environment (Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences), shared that the MRV system helps accurately quantify emission-reduction levels from cultivation practices such as “three reductions, three gains” (3R3G), “one must do, five reductions” (1M5R), alternate wetting and drying irrigation, fertilizer management, and rice-straw treatment. Without MRV, it is impossible to demonstrate emission-reduction effectiveness, making access to carbon finance more challenging.

Over the three-day course, learners were fully introduced to key greenhouse gas concepts, field measurement procedures, activity data collection, emission calculation methods, reporting templates, and independent verification processes. Group discussions also helped learners understand how to apply MRV to specific cultivation models in the province.

The urgent need for MRV in the green transition

A key module of the training program introduced low-emission rice cultivation techniques currently applied in the Mekong Delta, with 3R3G being a prime example. This method focuses on reducing seed rate, nitrogen fertilizer, and pesticides, while increasing yield and economic efficiency. Measurement results from IAE show that rice models applying 3R3G reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 16.7-22.5% compared to traditional practices.

The 1M5R technique - improving from 3R3G - includes reducing seed rate, nitrogen fertilizer, irrigation water use, pesticides, and post-harvest losses, while using high-quality rice varieties. This method can reduce emissions by approximately 25.3%, equivalent to 2.4 tons of CO₂e/ha/year.

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) can reduce seed use by up to 80%, save 40-50% of irrigation water, and reduce dependence on pesticides by 50-100%. Studies show that SRI can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32-69% compared to conventional production.

Proper straw management through collection, composting, or biochar production helps prevent methane emissions and improve soil health. Slow-release fertilizers and deep placement technology can reduce N₂O emissions by 20-60% and support CH₄ reduction when combined with appropriate irrigation. All of these techniques require MRV to clearly determine emission-reduction levels and ensure credibility in reporting for the one-million-ha rice scheme.

According to M.Sc. Dinh Quang Hieu (IAE), these models are expected to serve as core examples for replication when provinces begin widespread implementation of the high-quality rice scheme. He stressed that MRV training in An Giang is a crucial preparation step to ensure technicians and cooperatives fully understand technical requirements before large-scale deployment. With a unified MRV system, localities will have sufficient data for reporting, verification, and demonstrating emission-reduction effectiveness in line with international standards.

"Through MRV training in An Giang, a new phase of rice production will begin, requiring greater transparency, scientific rigor, and standardization toward low emissions. This is an essential foundation for contributing to the realization of the Scheme of 1 million ha of high-quality, low-emission rice, thereby enhancing the value of Vietnamese rice in the context of climate change. Once an effective MRV system is in place, An Giang and the entire Mekong Delta will not only improve production efficiency but also meet eligibility requirements to participate in the future carbon market," said a NAEC representative.