Comparing Agroecological and Conventional Rice for Climate‑Smart Choices in Northern Vietnam

Challenge

Vietnam’s rice production is characterized by overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which increases resource use and pollution.

Solution

Project using citizen science and co-experimentation, with surveys and field comparisons of agroecological vs. conventional rice.

Overview

Agroecological practices are being tested as climate‑smart options for smallholders in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. With support from the Asia‑Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), research led by Tuyet Truong (Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam) examined the energy and economic performance of agroecological rice compared with conventional methods.

The study drew evidence from household surveys and input–output analysis to quantify energy use, yields, and costs. The findings provide evidence that can guide farmers and planners in deciding whether and how to adopt climate‑smart agriculture (CSA) in upland settings.

Study context and approach

Thirty farming households in Ban Buot, Chieng Yen commune, Van Ho District, Son La Province were surveyed between January and June 2022. Beyond the survey, 18 households co‑experimented with CSA models from October 2022 to December 2023 by integrating fruit trees with organic vegetables in home gardens and adopting sprinkler irrigation, vermiculture, and on‑farm organic inputs.

The project compared conventional paddy cultivation with agroecological cultivation, and assessed changes in inputs, practices, energy use, yields, and costs. All energy inputs and outputs were quantified in a matrix and converted to standard units. Economic inputs and outputs were assessed using 2022 market prices per hectare.

The citizen-science approach involved co-assessing and co-experimenting with farmers to document practices, costs, and outcomes. These results reflect reduced purchased inputs and the use of on-farm organic inputs reported in the farmer experiments.

Energy and economic findings

The comparison of agroecological and conventional rice systems showed clear differences in both energy and economic outcomes. Agroecological rice saved up to 63% of energy inputs compared with conventional production. Energy efficiency and energy productivity were higher under agroecological management, even where yields were lower.

Economically, agroecological production reduced input costs and increased output value, with overall economic benefits per hectare rising by about three times in the study area.

Methods and tools

The project trained farmers and early‑career researchers in geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial decision support systems (SDSS) for mapping CSA practices and crop suitability.An electronic portal and smartphone app were developed to share CSA practices, seasonal calendars, pest and disease status, and crop-suitability maps, with two-way features for farmers to submit questions and images to local officials and experts.

Capacity building and outreach

A total of 114 smallholders were surveyed on existing CSA practices, 60 participated in co-assessment activities, and 18 households joined CSA co-experiments.Capacity activities included a four-day farmer training in September 2022, two student seminars, district- and national-level workshops on scaling up CSA in 2023–2024, and a CSA syllabus at Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry for undergraduate and graduate teaching.Policy briefs and training for local staff on the website and mobile app supported extension services and strengthened the network for scaling CSA in the Van Ho District.

Implications for climates-mart agriculture

Participants reported positive outcomes such as reduced manual watering due to automatic irrigation, higher prices for organic vegetables in some cases, expanded earthworm breeding that lowered feed and fertilizer purchases, and greater confidence to continue organic models.

The combined evidence suggests that agroecological rice can conserve energy, reduce input costs, and increase net economic returns, providing a practical climate-smart pathway for smallholders in northern Vietnam.

Taken together, the energy and cost results, co‑experiment data, and digital platform indicate a practical pathway for CSA adoption in smallholder systems in northern Vietnam, with lessons that local authorities can apply through training, market links, and cooperative development.

Project details

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) under its Scientific Capacity Development Programme (CAPaBLE). Acknowledgements also go to partner institutions and collaborators, including the Maine Maritime Academy (USA), Northwest Development Cooperation Center (TABA; Vietnam), Agritage Cooperative (Vietnam), Van Ho District Agricultural Service Center (Vietnam), and People’s Committee of Chieng Yen Commune (Vietnam).

Related information

• Project Permalink
• Project Final Report
• Truong, T. et al. (2022) International Research Symposium on Bioeconomy and Sustainability 1 Agroecological Rice Farming: An Approach for Economic Benefit and Energy Efficiency in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam. https://www.apn-gcr.org/publication/agroecological-rice-farming-an-approach-for-economic-benefit-and-energy-efficiency-in-the-northern-mountainous-region-of-vietnam/
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