In the 2025-2026 Winter-Spring crop, 11 cooperatives across eastern communes applied the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method on 668 hectares of rice. The model, implemented under a carbon credit project coordinated by Green Carbon Inc. (Japan) and local agencies, reduced emissions to 5.77 tons of CO₂-equivalent per hectare per crop—6.73 tons lower than traditional flooding, a 53.8% decrease.
The AWD method also cut irrigation by five cycles, saving around 2,600 cubic metres of water per hectare per crop, offering a practical solution amid growing water scarcity. Farmers reported profitable outcomes, according to Phạm Vũ Bảo, Deputy Director of the South Central Coastal Agricultural Science and Technology Institute.
To scale up these gains, Gia Lai has issued a comprehensive low-emission production plan through 2035. The province aims to apply sustainable cultivation practices to at least 8,000 hectares of rice, 2,000 hectares of sugarcane, and 1,000 hectares each of coffee, banana, and cassava, all linked to concentrated raw material zones.
Officials warn that tightening environmental standards in key export markets such as the EU and Japan make the transition urgent. Without it, local agricultural products risk losing competitiveness.
Looking ahead to 2050, Gia Lai plans to build a modern, low-emission crop sector supported by digital emissions databases integrated with national monitoring systems. Major crops are expected to adopt sustainable processes, strengthening the province’s role in Vietnam’s green transition and its commitments under COP26.
Enterprises are central to the strategy. Companies in sugar, coffee, banana and cassava sectors are required to establish low-emission raw material zones and invest in advanced technologies for cultivation, harvesting and processing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve efficiency.
Early adopters are already demonstrating commercial viability. BaKa Co., Ltd., which cultivates 20 hectares of organic coffee, reports yields of 18–20 tons of fresh fruit per hectare, comparable to conventional farming, while commanding higher prices due to strong market demand for sustainable products.
The forestry sector is also contributing through sustainable practices. Sông Kôn Forestry Co., Ltd. manages over 12,699 hectares of forest land, including more than 10,350 hectares of protected natural forest. The company is shifting to long-cycle plantations of 10–12 years, with certified timber fetching 10–15% higher prices and meeting strict export standards.
By 2025, its large timber plantation area is expected to reach 825.9 hectares, with plans to expand to 1,000 hectares by 2030 and enter the carbon credit market through improved carbon measurement and verification systems.
Despite progress, authorities acknowledge challenges in changing entrenched farming practices, particularly reliance on chemical fertilisers and continuous flooding in rice cultivation, both major sources of emissions.
To address this, Gia Lai plans to train at least 1,000 farmers, technicians and enterprises in low-emission techniques, including biological pest control, organic farming, crop rotation and efficient use of agricultural by-products.
The province is also promoting digital technologies such as smart sensors for irrigation and soil monitoring, alongside innovations like biochar production and integrating aquatic plants to enhance soil fertility and reduce methane emissions.