On November 1, 2021, at the Leaders’ Summit within the framework of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced Vietnam’s strong commitments to climate change response. The agricultural sector contributes approximately 14% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Vietnam’s agriculture generates a huge amount of by-products, estimated at about 156.8 million tons annually, which can become sources of greenhouse gas emissions. However, these by-products can also be used to produce and process valuable products and help reduce emissions. Therefore, promoting the development of circular agriculture is of great importance. On June 7, 2022, the Prime Minister approved the National Circular Economy Development Plan.

From September 15 to 22, 2023, a group of lecturers from the University of Agriculture and Forestry – Thai Nguyen University carried out several activities under the project “Promoting circular agriculture for sustainable rural development, climate resilience and low carbon economy in the Mountainous Region of Vietnam.”

The initial activities took place in Chieng Yen Commune, Van Ho District, Son La Province, focusing on raising awareness of circular agriculture and training local farmers and officials on applicable solutions, techniques, and models of circular agriculture. The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Ngoc Son with the participation of three other Australian alumni: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha, Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hung, and MSc. Bui Tuan Tuan.

The project is funded by the Australian Government through the Australia Alumni Grants Fund managed by the Aus4Skills program. The project aims to raise awareness and promote the development of circular agriculture in the context of climate change.

Below are some pictures of the team: