In the heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, farmers are facing growing threats from climate change — from rising temperatures to unpredictable floods. Yet amid these challenges, a new approach to rice farming is taking root.
Rikolto in Vietnam, together with the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Thap Province, is leading the project “Developing Sustainable Rice Value Chains for Smallholder Farmers in Dong Thap (2022–2035)”. Funded by the Livelihoods Venture Fund with technical support from CarbonFarm Company, the project follows the Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG) framework to ensure sustainability and accountability.
Its vision is simple but ambitious: to build a rice production model that helps farmers earn more, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and protects the environment - one that can be replicated across the Mekong Delta and beyond.
The project plans to support 8,000 smallholder farmers across 14,500 hectares to adopt climate-smart farming practices that cut emissions, save water, and improve soil health.
In its first and second production cycle, 622 farmers covering 980 hectares have already joined. Water-level monitoring systems have been installed to measure emission reductions - an important step toward earning carbon credits under international standards.
A 300-hectare pilot model near Tram Chim National Park will also demonstrate circular agriculture, linking sustainable rice production with biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods.
To ensure shared ownership, a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop took place in Cao Lanh on the morning of 23 September 2025, facilitated by Rikolto. The event gathered 69 representatives from cooperatives, government agencies, universities, and social organisations to exchange ideas and shape project implementation.
“Thanks to Rikolto’s technical guidance, our farmers have adopted SRP standards and gained access to international markets, including the EU,” shared Mr. Ta Van Bong, Director of Tan Binh Cooperative. “Our rice now has higher value, and farmers are more confident. We’re excited to expand these practices further.”
Professor Duong Van Nha from Kien Giang University added: “To scale sustainable rice production, consistent land leveling and stronger market linkages are crucial. Farmers need both technical and market support to make sustainability truly profitable.”
All partners agreed that collaboration is key to scaling success. A key topic was the carbon credit mechanism. Farmers adopting Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and sustainable straw management can earn these credits as a new source of income.
To support this transition, the next steps include providing more training on AWD, promoting peer learning among cooperatives, and developing stronger data systems for carbon certification.
By working together, Rikolto and its partners are helping farmers grow rice that is climate-resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible — ensuring that the Mekong Delta remains Vietnam’s “rice bowl” while contributing to global climate goals.
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