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Partners & Projects

Vietnam: On-Site Organic Waste Conversion Project

Project Date:

June 2021 to December 2025

Partners:

Vietnam Farmers' Union

Background

Agricultural and food waste are major sources of black carbon (from burning) and methane emissions. However, when managed properly, they can be transformed into valuable resources such as compost or insect protein. This grant supports waste management practices in Vietnam by scaling improved methods to treat farm and food waste. Technical training is provided to rural communities on using black soldier fly larvae and red worms to convert manure and food residue into insect protein for animals. Fermentation is used to turn food waste into animal feed, while composting and deep litter chicken bedding transform organic matter into soil amendments.

Key Features:

Adoption of these solutions prevents organic waste from decomposing and releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Farmers have reported increased income after implementing these techniques. In Gai Lai province, cattle fed with fermented feed from the trials gained more weight than those raised on commercially available feed. In Lam Dong province, participating farmers were able to replace 30% of commercial feed and save VND 5 million in one month.

Project Outcomes:

Scaling Sustainable Agricultural Practices:
The project established 1,428 additional trials across four key techniques, bringing the total number of demonstrations to 6,949. These trials are essential for scaling up sustainable agricultural practices, enabling farmers to improve soil health, manage crop residue efficiently, and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
Reducing Fertilizer Costs through Rice Stubble Management:
In Thanh Hoa Province, Farmer Field Schools trained 330 farmer leaders to use microorganisms for faster rice stubble decomposition. This method not only sped up the decomposition process but also reduced fertilizer costs by 25-30%, 165 new trial sites were developed, showcasing a cost-effective, environmentally friendly solution for crop residue management.
Promoting Knowledge Exchange to Accelerate Adoption:
Learning tours with 1,674 participants, including farmer leaders and provincial officers, fostered peer learning and the exchange of sustainable farming techniques. By showcasing best practices on demonstration sites, the project accelerated the adoption of these techniques, empowering farmers to promote sustainable agriculture in their regions.
Improving Livelihoods through Widespread Technique Adoption:
By March 2024, 19,323 farming households had adopted sustainable techniques for managing crop residue, while 8,768 households started using black soldier flies or red worms to convert livestock waste into animal feed or vermicompost. This widespread adoption has improved livelihoods by boosting farmers’ incomes, reducing operational costs, and addressing environmental challenges related to waste management.