Green Agriculture Key for Mekong Delta: Technology and Policy Needed for Sustainable Future

The Mekong Delta, Vietnam's agricultural heartland, is under increasing pressure to transition to green agriculture. This region, vital to the national economy with over 2.6 million hectares of farmland contributing significantly to GDP and export volumes of rice, is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Rice cultivation alone emitted over 44 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2010, accounting for 18% of Vietnam's total emissions.

“

The Mekong Delta is currently the economic pillar with over 2.6 million hectares of agricultural land, contributing about 31% of the total agricultural GDP, accounting for 50% of rice production and 95% of the country's rice exports.

In response, Associate Professor Dr. Châu Minh Khôi, Vice Rector of Can Tho University's School of Agriculture, emphasizes the necessity of shifting towards low-carbon agriculture. This involves production systems that reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and environmental sustainability through solutions like optimized fertilizer management, water-saving irrigation, and circular economy principles.

Technological advancements are proving effective. The Chameleon soil moisture sensor, for instance, allows farmers to precisely monitor crop water needs. When combined with straw mulching, this technology has led to water savings of 43% to 58% for crops like corn, beets, and watermelons, without compromising yields. This not only boosts income but also reduces soil salinity and saves farmers time.

“

Rice cultivation alone in 2010 emitted over 44 million tons of CO2 equivalent, accounting for 18% of Vietnam's total emissions.

Furthermore, rice-crop rotation models, such as those implemented in Long Phú, Sóc Trăng, show remarkable economic benefits. Profits from beet cultivation increased by 163%, watermelon by 75%, and corn by 25% compared to monoculture rice farming. Environmentally, proper straw management, including incorporation into the soil or conversion to biochar, can reduce methane emissions by 50% to 95%.

“

The Chameleon soil moisture sensor helps farmers accurately monitor the water needs of their crops.

Despite these successes, scaling up green agriculture faces seven significant hurdles: access to capital and credit, land fragmentation hindering mechanization, a shortage of skilled labor and digital agriculture managers, unstable markets and weak value chain linkages, inadequate cold storage and transportation leading to high post-harvest losses, high costs and import dependency for technology, and complex policy procedures. Overcoming these obstacles is essential for the Mekong Delta to achieve sustainable and prosperous green agriculture.

“

Compared to simple rice cultivation, profits from beet cultivation increased by up to 163%, watermelon by 75%, and corn by 25%.