MKCF’S ‘RICEECO’ PROJECT LAUNCHED TO COMBAT RICE STRAW BURNING AND CUT GHG EMISSIONS

Trade and Investment Facilitation
On March 9, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Viet Nam and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) jointly launched the “Rice Straw-Based Circular Economy for Improved Biodiversity and Sustainability Project” (RiceEco) in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Funded by the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), the project looks to introduce the circular economy through straw, sustainable straw management solutions, low-emissions, and straw-based green development consultations. RiceEco targets achieving at least a 20% reduction in rice straw burning, and cuts of 20% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the project’s sites. Soil quality is also expected to improve.
Opening the event, Mr. Vu Thanh Liem, Deputy Director General of International Cooperation Department, MARD, Viet Nam, explained the impetus behind the ambitious plan. Globally, the production of rice straw is around 800 million to 1 bilion tons per year with 75-80% produced in Asia. More than half is burnt, leading to nutrient loss, GHG emissions, air pollution, and biodiversity loss of soil-dwelling organisms such as fungi and bacteria. Viet Nam and Cambodia, the locations for the project sites, are no exception. Burning the straw is still the main practice due to limited integration of straw in the rice value chain, lack of scale-appropriate technologies, and issues in crop management, markets, and stakeholder preferences.
With respect to the importance of the MKCF’s key role, Mr. Jongsoo Shin, IRRI-Asia Representative, expressed his appreciation for the financial support provided by the Republic of Korea through the MKCF. Over a period of 3 years, 5,000 farmers in Viet Nam and Cambodia will stand to benefit from turning rice straw into a resource as well as from other capacity building activities.

Commenting on the project intervention, Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta, Trade & Investment Facilitation Department, Director and Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), Coordinator, Mekong Institute (MI) praised the concept’s strengths in its science-based approach and policies, as well as the collective efforts of the public and the private sectors, namely farmer co-operatives and biofertilizer companies, as well as research institutes. This is a journey that requires strong support from all stakeholders, he noted. 

The project is also intended to develop technologies and business models that will be used and promoted by relevant stakeholders. It is expected that rice straw logistics costs will be reduced by about 30-50% in comparison with the current practices. Activities will run from February 2023 – February 2026.

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.