Vietnam to pilot 15 low-emission farming models with carbon credit potential

The initiative, set to run from now until 2035, aims to promote low-emission agricultural production and support Vietnam’s commitments to climate change mitigation.

The ministry on Wednesday held a consultation conference to present and gather feedback on low-emission crop production for 2025-35, with a vision toward 2050.

Carbon credits are tradable certificates that give holders the right to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or another amount of greenhouse gas converted to carbon dioxide equivalents.

Huynh Tan Dat, head of the Plant Production and Protection Department, said the plan would be implemented nationwide, focusing on key crops with high emission-reduction potential such as rice, cassava, sugarcane, coffee, and banana.

By 2050, the program aims for 100 percent of key crop areas to apply low-emission farming techniques and to establish a low-emission certification label for Vietnamese agricultural products.

“The crop production targets a reduction of at least 15 percent in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared with the 2020 baseline,” Dat said.

“At the same time, at least 15 farming models with the capacity to generate internationally recognized carbon credits will be piloted,” he stressed.

Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, deputy head of the department, said that the ministry plans to roll out 59 pilot models in 34 provinces and cities.

These include low-emission rice cultivation, integrated fish-rice, shrimp-rice, and rice-maize systems, as well as production models for maize, cassava, vegetables, tea, coffee, pepper, cashew, durian, lychee, and other perennial crops.

Other models include agroforestry systems, circular agriculture, waste reuse, biochar production, and the conversion of two-crop rice land to upland crops.

“Each province will develop one to three models suited to local conditions and crop characteristics, focusing on measurable emission reductions,” she explained.

Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat emphasized that effective and sustainable low-emission farming requires adjustments to agricultural infrastructure, particularly irrigation systems.

He also highlighted the need for national-level resource mobilization, noting that the shift cannot rely solely on the state budget.

Dang Van Bao, chairman of CropLife Vietnam, identified three key technological areas that could directly support emission reduction goals.

– Advanced plant protection solutions, including biological pesticides, spraying drones, and integrated pest management.

– The adoption of biotechnology crops such as genetically modified varieties already cultivated in Vietnam that have shown clear benefits in reducing inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, and labor.

– Gene-edited crops represent a promising avenue for developing climate-resilient varieties that can tolerate drought and resist pests, further reducing inputs and enhancing biological carbon absorption.

Domestic carbon trading pilot before 2028

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Tung stated that if effectively implemented, the proposed measures could help cut 8-11 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalents annually, contributing significantly to Vietnam’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets.

He said that low-emission, traceable agricultural production could improve market access and increase the export value of Vietnamese farm products by 10-25 percent compared with conventional goods.

Trung tasked the Plant Production and Protection Department with working alongside local authorities to identify appropriate low-emission crop conversion models.

In addition, the Department of Climate Change was assigned to pilot a domestic carbon trading mechanism before 2028, paving the way for participation in international carbon markets.

“It’s essential not only to reduce emissions but also to sell carbon credits to create a functioning market for low-emission products,” Trung emphasized.