Vinh Long replicates emission-reducing models

Green transition from production

In recent years, the coastal area of Ba Tri (formerly part of Ben Tre province) has been spreading emission-reducing models from fields to community life. This shift stems from close cooperation among local government, enterprises, and the people in their efforts to develop a green, emission-reducing, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Many localities have gradually implemented the low-emission rice model. Unlike the traditional practice of keeping fields continuously wet, farmers now apply the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technique, allowing fields to dry before pumping water to reduce methane emissions generated under prolonged inundation. This technique, combined with the use of organic fertilizers and the avoidance of burning rice straw, contributes to emission reduction.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, a farmer in Ba Tri commune with more than 30 years of experience, shared that the new technique not only reduces watering but also lowers pest pressure and input costs. "The rice grows well, requires less fertilizer, and the workload is lighter. Each crop saves us several million dong," he shared. The practical results have encouraged many households to keep field logs and standardize their production processes, aiming to expand their cultivated area in the future.

In My Chanh Hoa commune, the organic, emission-reducing coconut model has improved both productivity and income. Farmers receive guidance on reducing chemical fertilizers, prioritizing microbial fertilizers, maintaining production logs, and strictly avoiding the burning of coconut by-products. With proper care, coconut trees grow more vigorously, show fewer signs of pests, produce uniform fruits, and are purchased by enterprises at higher prices.

Beyond agriculture, local mass organizations also play an important role in spreading green living habits. These organizations coordinate waste sorting at source and encourage households to separate organic waste, recyclable waste, and residual waste, while also organizing plastic waste collection, canal cleanups, and tree planting activities during holidays or weekends to protect the environment.

Mr. Duong Van Chuong, Secretary of the Party Committee of My Chanh Hoa Commune (formerly Vice Chairman of the Ba Tri District People’s Committee), said that in just over four years, communes in the area have planted nearly one million trees, creating natural windbreaks that help absorb carbon and enhance the landscape. According to him, community participation is the key factor enabling emission-reducing models to be sustained and expanded year after year.

Reducing emissions from waste

According to the Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Environment, alongside the agricultural transition, the province is focusing on reducing emissions from solid waste, which is one of the largest sources of methane. However, many former landfill sites lacked proper gas control measures, leading to the risk of insecurity and high emissions.

To address this problem, the province is implementing a series of synchronous solutions, including waste sorting at source, developing a database on solid waste, upgrading waste collection, transport, and treatment infrastructure, and adopting waste-to-energy incineration technology. These are crucial steps toward a modern waste management model aligned with the goal of reducing methane emissions by 2030.

Vinh Long has also integrated the target of greenhouse gas emission reduction into its socio-economic development planning and sectoral programs. This effort ensures that all new projects undergo emission impact assessments, preventing environmental pressure in the future.

At the same time, communication activities are being carried out continuously to raise public and business awareness about the benefits of reducing methane emissions. Numerous training sessions are organized in communes and hamlets to guide residents on waste sorting, utilizing organic waste as fertilizer, reusing materials, and reducing single-use plastic packaging.

The province aims to conduct inventories and establish emission baselines for the waste sector by 2030. At the same time, the deployment and synchronous implementation of waste sorting at source achieve 90%. 60% of combustible solid waste with high calorific value is treated through incineration or waste-to-energy; 80% of recyclable solid waste will be recycled; and 80% of food waste is converted into compost.

These solutions are opening new prospects for green agriculture, the circular economy, and climate adaptation. Mass organizations play a key role in sustaining green living habits and spreading a sense of community responsibility for the environment.

Typically, many women have pioneered in converting agricultural by-products into valuable organic fertilizers, using cow manure, earthworms, and crop residues to create safe, eco-friendly products. This approach not only enhances soil fertility and increases crop yields but also offers a sustainable economic development pathway for the community.

These efforts are regarded as an important step toward achieving the goal of greenhouse gas reduction. In line with its orientation of green economic development, the coconut land of Vinh Long will continue expanding these models, accelerating digital transformation in waste management, encouraging enterprises to invest in clean technologies, and mobilizing residents to apply climate-smart agricultural practices.