Paving the way for climate action: How a new digital system is transforming rice farming in Viet Nam

In Viet Nam rice is more than a staple crop—it’s a cornerstone of life and a major driver of the country’s economy. But its cultivation also accounts for a significant portion of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane. To meet its climate commitments, outlined in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Viet Nam needs a reliable way to measure, report, and verify (MRV) these emissions.

The problem? Most existing MRV systems are either too costly, technically complex, or simply do not fit the unique needs of smallholder farmers. They rely on advanced technologies like remote sensing, which often struggle with issues like low-resolution data, cloud cover, and high investment costs. Even more, crucial data like fertilizer types and straw management—vital for accurate GHG estimates—cannot be collected from satellites alone. This gap has created a significant hurdle, preventing countries from accurately demonstrating their progress and accessing the climate finance needed to support sustainable practices.

A smarter, simpler solution

To solve this, a coalition of partners, including CGIAR and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), set out to develop a new digital MRV system. The goal was to create a tool that was not only effective but also flexible, low-cost, and easy to replicate. This led to the creation of the Rice activity Monitoring and Reporting System (RiceMoRe).

RiceMoRe was built on an open-source platform, making it a cost-effective solution for countries in Southeast Asia. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the project focused on digitizing and standardizing the existing government reporting lines for rice production. This simple, yet powerful, approach transformed a manual, inconsistent process into an efficient and transparent digital workflow.

A key to RiceMoRe’s success was its participatory design. Researchers worked directly with government officials at all levels in Viet Nam—from national administrators to local extension agents—ensuring the system was practical and user-friendly. This collaborative approach made sure the tool was not just a research product but a real-world solution that met the specific needs of its users. The system was also designed to be inclusive, with a public-facing version that allows anyone, including farmers, to access a GHG estimation tool without needing a login.

From pilot to national scale

The results of this collaborative effort have been transformative. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (formerly Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) in Viet Nam officially adopted RiceMoRe, a major step that solidified its role as a national-level tool. Following this, the Department of Crop Production and the National Agricultural Extension Center scaled the system to cover approximately 75% of Viet Nam’s rice planting areas.

This widespread adoption has had a significant impact:

• Improved data quality: By digitizing manual reports and standardizing data entry, RiceMoRe has minimized human error and ensured a reliable, structured data flow.
• Enhanced efficiency: Local officials can now quickly update crucial information—from planting dates and crop varieties to farming practices—using a computer or smartphone.
• Actionable insights: The system connects farm-level data with a GHG calculation tool, giving automated emissions estimates. This allows farmers to benchmark their practices and see their progress toward sustainable goals.
• Replicability and sustainability: Since it is license-free systems, RiceMoRe is highly replicable in other Southeast Asian countries with similar rice management structures, a fact confirmed by scoping studies in Cambodia and Lao PDR.

A Model for the Future

RiceMoRe’s success offers valuable lessons for the future of agricultural development. The project shows that digital solutions do not need to be complex or expensive to be effective. By integrating new technology into existing institutional structures and involving users in the design process, it is possible to achieve widespread adoption and create a real, lasting impact.

The institutionalization of RiceMoRe by Viet Nam’s government ensures its long-term operation beyond the project cycle. This digital system is not just a tool for counting emissions—it is a foundational step toward a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable rice sector across Southeast Asia. By enabling countries to track their progress and unlock climate finance, it is paving the way for a greener, more secure future for millions of farmers and consumers.

Read the full Enabling Environment Success Story:

Compiled by the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program, the “Enabling Environment Success and Failure Stories” is a collection of accounts that chronicles both the successful and unsuccessful efforts in creating a supportive environment for scaling agrifood system innovations. Through compelling narratives that highlight specific challenges, key players, and outcomes, this series is designed to demonstrate how CGIAR actively influences and strengthens these environments to achieve a wider, more impactful reach.