4th International Conference: Valorization of Agricultural Residues

Globally, food and agriculture production consume approximately 30% of the world's energy and produce around 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions . This highlights the urgent need to transition towards Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), particularly in rapidly developing regions like Southeast Asia, to address the global climate challenge while meeting increasing food demand. Vietnam's agricultural sector has been an important factor contributing tothe country's economic growth, with GDP expanding by over 6% in 2022 . Agriculture, forestry and fishing created 11.88% of Vietnam's GDP in 2022 . To support sustainable agricultural development and GHG emissions reduction, Vietnam has set targets to cut the total GHG emissions from agrcultural productions to 53.57 MtCO2eq by 2025 and achieve a further reduction of 121.9 Mt CO2eq by 2030 . Agricultural production inherently generates residual biomass from crop cultivation, livestock farming, and food processing. Valorization of these agricultural residues presents a promising approach of reducing emissions and improving resource efficiency. However, challenges persist in technology development, logistics, and economic feasibility the current regulatory framework. Rice is a crucial contributor to Vietnam's agricultural GDP, with it’s production reaching 43.9 million tons in 20225. However, this also generates substantial rice straw waste, estimated at around 49 million tons annually. The majority of this straw is still burned in fields, causing significant air pollution across the region. Additionally, incorporating rice straw into flooded paddy soils contributes to methane emissions. Livestock farming has grown rapidly in Vietnam, with the total number of cattle and pigs reaching approximately 95 million in 2022 . This sector's expansion, while economically beneficial, has led to increased environmental concerns. Small-scale household biogas digesters are widely used for manure treatment, with over 500,000 plants installed nationwide. However, these systems face challenges such as limited utilization of biogas, excess biogas release and methane leakage, with losses up to 40% reported , . Larger biogas plants also require technological improvements across their entire process chain, from substrate preparation to biogas conditioning and residue management. The intensive use of fertilizers in rice cultivation and improper manure disposal from livestock farming contribute significantly to water and soil pollution, nutrient loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. In the context of Vietnam's energy and climate policies, the government has set targets to increase bio-energy capacity to 1,000 MW by 2025 and 3,000 MW by 2030. Vietnam has also committed to reducing GHG emissions by 9% by 2030 compared to the business-as-usual scenario, or up to 27% with international support. CSA is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for addressing the challenges of climate change in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam. Across Southeast Asia, CSA initiatives are focusing on improving productivity, enhancing resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key agricultural sectors. The adoption of CSA practices in the region is supported by international organizations and local governments, with efforts to scale up successful approaches through participatory, farmer-centered tools and methods. However, barriers such as financial constraints, limited access to information, and the need for tailored solutions remain significant challenges for scaling up CSA practices across the region. In order to address these challenges effectively, solutions must be adapted to local conditions, considering specific geographical, climatic, cultural, and social factors. This holistic approach should go beyond technical and administrative measures to enhance science, research, and education in sustainable agricultural practices. Collaborative efforts involving local communities, government agencies, and international organizations are essential to foster the adoption of CSA technologies and enhance food security in the face of climate change. Building on the success of three previous conferences on "Valorization of agricultural residues in Vietnam," we have established a valuable joint forum for Vietnamese and international scientists and experts. This achievement has inspired us to announce the 4th International Conference "Valorization of Agricultural Residues - Towards Climate-Smart Agriculture in South-East Asia." We are pleased to present an interesting program sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. This year's conference features numerous contributions focusing on agricultural residue management, sustainable technologies and environmental impact mitigation, reflecting the growing scientific attention to this critical issue. We hope that our conference will serve as a catalyst for new scientific ideas, collaborations, and innovative solutions to address the challenges related to agricultural residue valorization and climate-smart agriculture in Southeast Asia. We wish you a fruitful and interesting conference!