Vietnam looks towards Net Zero goal in agriculture

Protecting the environment in rural areas is crucial for achieving the Net Zero target

Themed “Unlocking land resources, aiming for Net Zero, protecting agricultural and rural environment,” the forum will be attended by representatives from the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, provincial and municipal Farmers’ Unions, experts, scientists, and businesses in the fields of agriculture and land management.

Notably, participants will include over 200 outstanding Vietnamese farmers and representatives from prominent cooperatives. According to the organizers, with the title “Listening to farmers’ voice,” the forum aims to concretize solutions and tasks outlined in Resolution 18-NQ/TW on “Continuing to innovate, improve institutions and policies, enhance the effectiveness of land management and use, creating momentum to turn Vietnam into a high-income developed nation”; and Resolution 19-NQ/TW on agriculture, farmers, and rural development until 2030, with a vision to 2045 by the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. These resolutions emphasize the role of farmers as the “core” force in agricultural development and new-style rural area construction.

So far, through various channels, over 1,000 questions, comments, proposals, and requests have been submitted to the leaderships of the Vietnam Farmers’ Union and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, concerning major issues, including mechanisms and policies related to the implementation of the Land Law; mechanisms and policies to encourage land accumulation for agricultural production; and mechanisms and policies to address challenges and obstacles in utilizing and unlocking land resources to support socioeconomic development.

Forum participants will also discuss mechanisms and policies related to climate change, net emission reduction targets, and carbon absorption. These include mechanisms and policies for climate change adaptation; enhancing meteorological and hydrological forecasting capabilities, especially for extreme weather events, such as flash floods, landslides, drought, and saltwater intrusion, to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and production. These policies emphasize the role of farmers in achieving the target of net-zero emissions by 2050 and promoting low-carbon agricultural production.

Other mechanisms and policies are to address challenges in the management of household and agricultural waste, environmental issues in craft villages, and clean water provision and wastewater treatment in rural areas. These include practical measures to implement Criterion 17 on environmental protection in building new rural areas, as well as policies related to environmental protection in mineral exploitation in rural areas.