1. Turning Rice Straw Waste into Circular Agricultural Resources
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On September 23, nearly 300 farmers and delegates gathered at Tien Thuan Agricultural Cooperative in Thanh Quoi Commune, Can Tho City, for the “Mushroom Farming Festival” — a major step toward circular agriculture and sustainable rural development.
The event, jointly organized by the Can Tho Plant Protection and Crop Production Sub-Department, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), aimed to promote the reuse of rice straw waste under the national project “Developing One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030.”
Farmers were introduced to advanced techniques in straw mushroom cultivation, both indoors and outdoors, as well as mechanized technologies for converting straw into organic fertilizer.
Pilot models have shown remarkable results:
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10–15% increase in rice yield when using straw-based organic fertilizer compared to full chemical fertilizer application.
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3–5 tons of CO₂ equivalent per hectare reduction in emissions compared with traditional straw burning or plowing.
Nguyen Cao Khai, representative of Tien Thuan Cooperative, shared enthusiastically:
“We used to burn straw after harvest, but now we grow mushrooms and mix the leftover straw into organic compost. It gives us extra income, improves the soil, and eliminates smoke pollution.”
2. Advancing Green and Sustainable Agriculture in the Mekong Delta
After 25 training and demonstration events across six Mekong Delta provinces, the initiative has empowered over 2,097 farmers, cooperative members, and agricultural officers with new skills.
It has also created five successful circular business models, generating jobs for more than 500 workers and helping farmers increase incomes by 25–35% compared with traditional rice farming.
Eisen Bernardo, an expert from IRRI, emphasized:
“Working with the One Million Hectares Program, we’ve witnessed an impressive transformation in farmers’ mindsets. From burning rice straw, they are now enthusiastic about circular farming, growing mushrooms, and producing organic fertilizer.”
He added:
“To scale this model, we need financial support policies for farmers to access machinery, stronger cooperatives, and value-chain partnerships connecting with animal feed, fertilizer, and bioenergy enterprises.”
3. Circular Agriculture – A Breakthrough in the Rice Industry
Pham Thi Minh Hieu, Director of the Can Tho Plant Protection and Crop Production Sub-Department, proudly remarked:
“This festival marks a major milestone for our local circular agriculture movement. The outcomes have far exceeded expectations, inspiring us to expand and refine these models citywide.”
Le Thanh Tung, Standing Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of VIETRISA, echoed this sentiment:
“For years, we’ve supported farmers, but I’ve never seen such a positive transformation in how rice straw is managed. Farmers have learned to turn what was once ‘waste’ into a stable source of income.”
He added:
“Increasing farmers’ income while reducing environmental pollution contributes to a sustainable and responsible future for Vietnam’s rice industry — one that is green, smart, and resilient.”
4. Toward a Green Future for Vietnam’s Rice Sector
The “Mushroom Farming Festival” not only celebrates innovation but also showcases how circular agriculture can drive economic resilience in rural Vietnam.
By transforming rice straw — once a major environmental problem — into a resource for mushroom cultivation, fertilizer production, and bioenergy, farmers are contributing to low-emission rice ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative aligns perfectly with Vietnam’s green growth and climate action goals, setting a model for other rice-growing regions to follow.