Khon Kaen —The Mekong Institute (MI) successfully convened the Regional Training Program on Transforming Agriculture for GHG Emissions Reduction from March 23–27, 2026 in Khon Kaen, Thailand—delivering concrete outcomes to support the transition toward low-emission and climate-resilient agricultural systems across the Mekong region.
Implemented under the Mekong CONNECT initiative, with support from the Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) and technical partnership from Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the program brought together policymakers, technical experts, and practitioners from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
Turning Capacity Building into Action
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Mekong economies—supporting livelihoods, food security, and regional trade—yet it is increasingly vulnerable to climate change and a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In response, the training focused on equipping participants with practical tools, policy insights, and implementation-ready approaches to reduce emissions while strengthening resilience. Across five days, participants engaged in interactive sessions covering:
- Agricultural GHG emission sources and carbon footprint accounting
- Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems and digital innovations
- Climate-smart agriculture practices and mitigation technologies
- Carbon markets and Article 6 mechanisms
- Public–private partnerships to scale low-carbon solutions
This integrated approach enabled participants to move beyond theory—building the capacity to design and implement context-specific, scalable solutions.
Bridging Innovation and Field Application
A defining feature of the program was its strong emphasis on translating knowledge into practice. Through structured learning visits supported by Khon Kaen University, participants gained hands-on experience in carbon footprint assessment in pineapple production, including applications for carbon labeling and mitigation planning.
A field visit to a pineapple production site in Nong Khai Province further demonstrated tangible results. The site applies zero-burning practices, waste valorization, and carbon footprint management, achieving emissions of approximately 0.47 kg CO₂-equivalent per kilogram of pineapple. This practical example illustrated how locally adapted interventions can deliver measurable climate impact while supporting productivity and livelihoods.
These experiences reinforced the feasibility of low-emission agricultural models and provided participants with replicable approaches for their respective countries.
Delivering Results: Five National Action Pathways
A key outcome of the training was the development of five country-specific action pathways, translating knowledge into concrete next steps:
- Thailand – Advancing precision agriculture and smart fertilizer systems
- Lao PDR – Strengthening digital MRV systems for carbon market readiness
- Viet Nam – Promoting MSME green transition through finance and ESG integration
- Myanmar – Scaling capacity-building on sustainable farming practices
- Cambodia – Expanding climate-smart rice production and green microfinance linkages
These pathways demonstrate how countries are aligning policy, technology, finance, and field implementation to drive a just and scalable transition toward low-emission agriculture.
Enabling Action through Partnerships
Reflecting on the program’s significance, Ms. Guohua Liu, Director of MI’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Department, emphasized:
“This training is not only about understanding carbon footprints—it is about enabling action. By combining innovation, partnerships, and practical solutions, we can support farmers and institutions to transition toward low-carbon agriculture while strengthening resilience and livelihoods.”
The program forms part of the broader Mekong CONNECT initiative, which promotes agricultural modernization through capacity development, technology adoption, and strengthened public–private partnerships.
Looking Ahead
The training reaffirmed a shared commitment among Mekong countries to move from knowledge to implementation. By delivering concrete outputs and strengthening regional collaboration, MI continues to play a catalytic role in supporting countries to operationalize low-emission strategies—ensuring that climate action in agriculture translates into tangible benefits for farmers, economies, and communities across the region.
