Farmers, technology and partnership: transforming rice farming in Vietnam
Rice feeds billions of people worldwide, but conventional cultivation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, water stress and soil degradation. Flooded paddies alone produce around 10% of global human-made methane, while inefficient water, fertiliser and pesticide use further threatens long-term productivity. In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta - one of the world’s key rice-growing regions - these pressures are worsened by climate change, flooding and land subsidence.
To tackle these challenges, the Flanders based global producer of functional ingredients BENEO, the international NGO Rikolto and climate-tech company CarbonFarm launched a three-year partnership in 2025 to promote climate-resilient, sustainable rice farming. Funded by Flemish government through the Flanders International Climate Action Programme (FICAP), the project supports farmers in applying the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Standard, a global framework that improves livelihoods, reduces environmental impact and ensures resilient supply chains.
From Leuven to Vietnam: BENEO’s commitment to sustainable rice
For BENEO, sustainability and climate action is more than a commitment - it is central to how the company operates. Roland Vanhoegaerden, Operations Managing Director for Specialty Rice Ingredients, explains that producing nutritious, science-backed ingredients is only possible through the responsible use of earth’s resources. “That’s why we focus on building long-term partnerships with farmers, providing guidance and support, and promoting regenerative agricultural practices,” he says. “All of this helps create resilient farming systems and supply chains.”
At BENEO’s production site in Wijgmaal (Leuven), rice is processed into high-quality starch, protein, and flour ingredients for food and feed. Supporting climate-resilient rice production in Vietnam aligns naturally with the company’s ‘Healthy Planet Plan’. Through collaboration with Rikolto and CarbonFarm, each partner contributes its expertise: from farmer training on the SRP Standard and progress monitoring with digital tools, to developing markets for sustainably produced rice ingredients.
Securing funding through FICAP (~€800.000) allows the project to scale quickly, strengthen local capacity, and deliver measurable climate impact. By combining local training, innovative technology, and long-term market connections, the initiative is creating a model for climate-smart rice production - demonstrating how farmers, technology, and partnership can transform rice farming in the Mekong Delta.
What’s next for the project?
In 2026, BENEO’s plant in Wijgmaal will start processing the first batches of sustainably grown rice harvested in Vietnam last year.
A key focus will be on gathering data from the rice fields, led by CarbonFarm. Using satellite monitoring, the team will track crucial environmental indicators such as methane emissions from rice paddies and water usage. This technology provides a reliable, consistent, and near real-time view of the rice’s environmental footprint – eliminating the cost of field inspections and delivering verifiable insights on sustainable cultivation.