With a total rice cultivation area of more than 7 million hectares and an average yield of over 6.1 tons per hectare in 2023, Viet Nam is one of the world’s leading rice-producing countries. However, alongside the economic opportunities generated from rice production, rice cultivation also poses significant environmental challenges, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
According to Viet Nam’s 2016 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, methane emissions from rice cultivation amounted to approximately 49.7 million tons of CO₂ equivalent, making it the second-largest source of national GHG emissions. In the context of Viet Nam’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the implementation of emission reduction solutions in agriculture, especially in the rice sector, has become increasingly urgent.
One of the most effective GHG mitigation measures in rice cultivation is Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), AWD is a water-saving practice that farmers can apply to reduce irrigation water used in rice production without compromising yields.
In principle, AWD allows rice fields to alternate between flooded and non-flooded conditions. Farmers monitor soil water levels and re-irrigate when the water table drops to approximately 15 cm below the soil surface, then re-flood the field to a depth of 3–5 cm before draining again. This cycle is repeated throughout the growing season, except during the flowering stage, when rice plants are highly sensitive to water stress and fields need to remain continuously flooded. The number of non-flooded days between irrigations can range from one day to more than ten days, depending on soil type, weather conditions, and crop growth stage.
Photo: Monitoring field water levels under AWD practice (Source: IRRI)
Beyond water savings and emission reductions, AWD also offers significant potential for the development of carbon credit projects, providing additional financial benefits for farmers, cooperatives, and local authorities. Currently, AWD activities can be developed into carbon credit projects under several international mechanisms and standards, including:
- Verified Carbon Standard (VCS): VM0051 – Improved Management in Rice Production Systems, v1.0
- Gold Standard: Methane Emission Reduction by Adjusted Water Management Practice in Rice Cultivation, v1.0
However, for AWD projects to be eligible for carbon credit generation and recognized by the carbon market, project developers must fully comply with the applicable regulations, technical requirements, and Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) procedures of each mechanism and standard. The selection of an appropriate mechanism should be carefully considered based on the project’s alignment with the relevant methodology and standard, implementation capacity, and targeted carbon market.
With more than 19 years of experience in developing carbon credit projects across multiple international standards and sectors, VNEEC recognizes that combining low-emission rice cultivation practices with the application of AWD has strong potential for large-scale implementation and the development of high-quality carbon credit projects in Viet Nam.
VNEEC provides end-to-end consultancy services for AWD projects, including:
- Feasibility assessment and evaluation of emission reduction potential;
- Selection of appropriate standards and methodologies;
- Design of MRV systems in line with international requirements;
- Support for project registration, validation, and carbon credit commercialization;
- Connection of projects with domestic and international carbon markets and credit buyers.
The integration of low-emission rice cultivation, AWD practices, and carbon finance mechanisms not only contributes to Viet Nam’s climate commitments, but also promotes sustainable agriculture, enhances economic value for farmers, and delivers long-term benefits for local communities.
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