Two Vietnamese students win for sustainable agriculture model

The competition took place within the framework of the Youth Forum and the International Workshop on Education for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in collaboration with UNESCO in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

The award-winning project, Solaris Mekong, was developed by two students, Nguyen Phuc Thien Khoa and Hoang Le Minh Nhat, from Fulbright University Vietnam. Solaris Mekong is an integrated farming model aimed at promoting sustainable development in the Mekong Delta. A highlight of the project is its mud-free circular eel farming system, which enables the reuse of over 90% of water, reduces disease risks, eliminates the need for antibiotics, and prevents environmental pollution.

In parallel, the project incorporates solar energy to power the entire farm from water pumping and aeration to lighting systems with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality. Rainwater is also collected and treated for production, reducing reliance on groundwater and protecting the region’s aquatic resources.

According to the project’s authors, Solaris Mekong has been designed in compliance with European Union Organic Aquaculture standards, opening up opportunities to export Vietnamese organic eels to high-value markets where demand for clean and sustainable seafood is rapidly increasing.

Sharing about the competition’s results, Nguyen Phuc Thien Khoa said: “The Solaris Mekong project is proof that Vietnamese farmers can simultaneously improve their livelihoods and protect the environment through sustainable solutions.”

The Mekong Delta - Vietnam’s largest rice and aquaculture hub - is facing a series of challenges from climate change, including saltwater intrusion, irregular flooding, prolonged droughts, and land subsidence. In this context, traditional agricultural production models are increasingly revealing their limitations.

The Solaris Mekong project offers a new pathway for farmers by integrating advanced technology, renewable energy, and international standards to both increase income and protect the ecological environment. Estimates suggest that the model could help farming households boost their income by over 30% compared to traditional methods, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving thousands of cubic meters of water annually.

This achievement not only affirms the creative capacity of Vietnamese students but also demonstrates the great potential to bring Vietnam’s agriculture to the international market with a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable image.

This year’s Youth Forum and International Workshop on Education for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development brought together more than 500 delegates from various countries, including policymakers, scientists, businesses, and development organizations. Among the seven outstanding teams, Solaris Mekong was awarded the highest prize for its creativity, scalability, and sustainable impact on rural communities in the Mekong Delta in particular and Southeast Asia in general.