An innovative pilot project on integrated straw management to support Viet Nam’s efforts in combating climate change and the restoration of degraded lands was launched by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), in partnership with the Sub-Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Port-Harvest Technology (SIAEP) on 23 January 2019.

Commenting on this initiative, Head of CSAM Dr. Yutong Li said, “Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Viet Nam, are facing the issue of burning of straw residue which poses serious public health and environmental concerns while contributing to greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. Through this effort, CSAM is supporting ESCAP member States in identifying and adopting sustainable solutions for integrated management of straw residue.”

Viet Nam is a key producer of rice in the world and therefore generates a large amount of rice straw, making it important to promote integrated straw management in the country. Under CSAM’s regional initiative covering Viet Nam as well as other countries, experts from the region and local farmers will develop and test an integrated straw management model using straw as fertilizer, fodder, indoor mushroom growing and biogas production.

An Inception Workshop of the Pilot Project on Integrated Straw Management held in Can Tho City today also brought together policymakers, academics, researchers and local farmers to finalize the pilot proposal and provide training on indoor mushroom growing techniques as a first stage of the approach to integrated straw management. A second demonstration site for high efficiency utilization of straw as fertilizer for fruit trees and vegetables will be established soon.