26 March 2012: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have hosted a workshop in Viet Nam to examine the potential climate change mitigation benefits from alternative management practices for paddy rice.

Workshop participants examined ways to address challenges in agricultural mitigation, potential mitigation options, and government policies in Viet Nam. It was informed by an IFPRI study that assessed emissions from the production of key food crops in Viet Nam and the potential for alternative mitigation options in agriculture. Paddy rice was shown to be the key to pro-poor agricultural mitigation, and the largest mitigation and economic benefits were shown to emerge from alternative seeding approaches.

The workshop, titled “Operationalizing Targets of the Government of Vietnam’s Policy Agenda for Agricultural Mitigation: Roadmap, Implementation, Institutions and Costs,” was held on 26 March 2012, jointly between IFPRI and IFAD. The Vietnamese Government confirmed a commitment to increase agricultural production by 20% and reduce emissions and poverty by 20% by 2020.

IFPRI is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [IFPRI Press Release]