VIENTIANE, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is studying a carbon credit project based on a rice cultivation method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower production costs, and create new sustainable income opportunities for farmers.
The initiative will assess the technical, environmental, and economic feasibility of implementing Alternate Wetting and Drying rice farming for carbon credit generation, Socio-Economic News reported on Wednesday.
By alternating periods of flooding and drying in rice fields, the method can significantly reduce water use and production costs. More importantly, it helps cut methane emissions from rice cultivation, a major contributor to global greenhouse gases, it said.
The system will also establish a mechanism to measure and verify emission reductions, allowing them to be converted into carbon credits. This could provide farmers with an additional and sustainable source of income while supporting national economic development.
In addition to economic and environmental benefits, the project also aims to strengthen the skills and knowledge of agricultural staff and farmers in target areas, supporting a long-term transition toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural system. ■