In many localities, farmers still burn straw after harvest because it is quick, convenient, and cheap… (photo: Vietnam Center for Environmental Incident Response)

This practice has existed for a long time, associated with the memories of many generations of delta residents. However, according to scientific studies and warnings from specialized agencies, burning straw is releasing a large amount of fine particulate matter PM2.5, CO, NOx, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the air, which have the potential to cause cancer. These are direct factors that degrade air quality, affect public health, and hinder Vietnam's efforts to meet international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An old custom, but no longer suitable. 

A long-standing practice that is no longer suitable. 
 

In many localities, straw is still considered a by-product that is difficult to handle and has no economic value. Under tight seasonal schedules, people are forced to clear fields in a short period of time, making burning the quickest and least costly solution. In many places, straw also contains residues of pesticides, limiting its use as livestock feed. Mechanical collection systems are not yet fully developed; straw prices are unstable and the consumer market is still small. All these factors contribute to the continued practice of burning straw despite recommendations from the environmental sector. 

According to Mr. Lê Hoài Nam, Deputy Director of the Environmental Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), from October to April each year, when temperature inversion occurs frequently, smoke from burning straw becomes even harder to disperse, causing air pollution levels to rise sharply in many provinces of the Northern Delta. This is particularly concerning given that major urban areas like Hanoi and its surrounding regions are already under high pollution pressure.

Mr. Hoàng Dương Tùng, Chairman of the Vietnam Clean Air Network (VCAP), believes that the current regulations are not strong enough and local monitoring capacity is still limited, resulting in the persistent practice of burning straw and stubble despite the ban. In practice, it has been shown that only when people have effective alternative solutions that bring economic benefits can the habit of burning straw and stubble be sustainably replaced. This is also a lesson that many major agricultural countries, such as India, have experienced.

Farmers still maintain the 'traditional' habit of burning straw, despite the ban.

Solution: it's not just about banning, but creating an 'exit route' for the people

International experience confirms that reducing the burning of straw requires a combination of economic support policies, technical solutions, and community communication. If it only relies on administrative regulations, it is difficult for people to make a change.  

Models supporting tillers, straw balers, and on-site collection or processing of straw have shown clear effectiveness in many places. In Vietnam, some localities have implemented policies to support machine rental and encourage businesses to purchase straw to use as raw materials for producing fertilizers, mushrooms, animal feed, or microbial products.  

Some provinces have also piloted monitoring fire hotspots via satellites combined with penalties. However, according to experts, the most sustainable measure remains turning straw from a by-product into a resource, creating additional income for farmers, and reducing environmental pressure.

VACNE accompanies the community in reducing emissions and protecting health

Among the many international cooperation programs supporting Vietnam in addressing the issue of straw burning, a notable one is the project by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), funded by DEFRA (UK) and implemented in collaboration with the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE). 

The program focuses on researching and implementing alternative models to straw burning, while also raising community awareness about the link between air quality and human health. Close coordination with local authorities, organizations, and farmers directly involved in production has created a strong ripple effect and gradually changed perceptions about agricultural by-product management.

Experts from the GAHP Project came to assess the farmers' green agriculture model (Photo: VACNE)

The pilot models have yielded clear results

A typical model implemented by the GAHP Project since 2023 in Song Ray commune (Cam My commune, Dong Nai) has helped farmers learn to use microbial products to treat rice straw instead of burning it. The straw treated with microbes helps reduce weeds, increase yield, reduce fertilizer use, improve soil, reduce smoke and dust, and shorten decomposition time to 14-15 days. Whereas previously, farmers would use 40kg of fertilizer per application during a growing season, now they only use 30kg.

Straw and rice husks, after being treated with microorganisms by farmers, have increased productivity and boosted farmers' income.

Another typical example is the household of Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Hà (An Giang), who took advantage of straw to grow mushrooms. After a period of time, the family's income reached about more than 20 million VND per month, significantly higher than just rice cultivation. In particular, the model in Châu Thành commune (An Giang) has shown that an integrated approach can create a noticeable change. Here, 12 households were supported by GAHP, VACNE, and partners to implement models such as: composting straw into organic fertilizer (scale of 8-20m3, 25-80 bundles of straw); fermenting straw with urea to make animal feed; growing straw mushrooms indoors (scale of 20-300m2, using 40-500 bundles of straw),... After deducting the initial investment costs, each crop gives participants an additional income of 3-5 million VND.

After one season, households earned an additional 3-5 million VND from the composting model and 3-12 million VND from the mushroom cultivation model. In addition, straw baling services brought in an extra 500,000 VND per hectare and significantly reduced the amount of straw burned. Residents also received technical training, were provided with microbial products, and supported with costs and community outreach to expand the impact. 

These models all receive technical support from VACNE experts and the GAHP program, along with active participation from associations, commune authorities, cooperatives, and local residents.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phùng Chí Sỹ, Vice President of VACNE, stated that the GAHP Project has developed a technological solution package consisting of 12 processes, of which 6 technologies suitable for domestic production conditions were selected for pilot application. Technologies such as straw mushroom cultivation, producing organic fertilizer using Trichoderma preparations, composting straw directly in the field, or using it as animal feed not only address environmental issues but also help promote circular agriculture – a direction in line with Vietnam's green growth strategy.

Towards a circular, green, and sustainable agriculture

The issue of burning straw will only be resolved with the involvement of government authorities, social organizations, and especially a change in the awareness of the people themselves. Models implemented by GAHP – VACNE have shown that straw can entirely become a valuable resource if used properly, bringing both economic and environmental benefits.
 

Scaling up successful models, combined with appropriate support policies and a stable consumption market, will significantly help reduce the amount of straw burned each year. This not only helps improve air quality but also promotes agricultural production in a circular, sustainable way that adapts to climate change – in line with the country's development goals and the international commitments that Vietnam has participated in.