Piloting a circular cassava model in Tay Ninh

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung emphasized the importance of developing a circular farming model for cassava—implemented for the first time in Vietnam. He noted that the project will directly support the ongoing National Program for Sustainable Cassava Development to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung met with JICA’s delegation, led by Prof. Takuro Shinano, to launch a pilot circular cassava project in Tay Ninh with Japanese technical support

The Deputy Minister requested the project team to expedite the establishment of laboratories, measurement methodologies, and the deployment of experts to conduct field trials in Tay Ninh, the designated pilot site. He stressed the need to integrate modern tools such as carbon measurement and monitoring (MRV), soil and crop sensors, satellite data, and drones to create circular farming zones that increase productivity and improve cassava’s added value.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will create the most favorable conditions for JICA and its partners to implement the project on schedule and with the desired outcomes,” Deputy Minister Hoang Trung affirmed.

Commitments from Japan

Presenting at the meeting, Professor Takuro Shinano reported that the working group, in coordination with the Tay Ninh Department of Agriculture and Environment, had conducted field surveys and finalized the selection of pilot areas. The chosen site, he said, offers favorable natural conditions, secured water resources, safe working environments, and potential for scaling up in the future.

Professor Shinano underscored that the project seeks not only to develop a circular cassava production model but also to establish a solid technical foundation for Vietnam, with support from Japanese partners and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). The long-term objective is to build a cassava sector that is both low-emission and high-value.

The pilot model is expected to begin in September this year. In parallel, the project will organize short-term training courses for Vietnamese technical staff in Japan, while also installing and upgrading analytical equipment at laboratories in Tay Ninh. “We are committed to working closely with Vietnamese agencies to standardize farming practices and ensure that the necessary facilities and seed materials are ready for field trials,” Professor Shinano said.

Long-term cooperation outlook

The project, jointly implemented by JICA and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), will focus on four core components designed to provide a scientific and technological foundation for sustainable cassava production in Vietnam.

The Japan–Vietnam cassava project in Tay Ninh pilots circular, low-emission farming, improving soil, boosting value, and advancing Vietnam’s green agriculture goals

First, it will identify cassava varieties with higher carbon sequestration capacity, thereby improving soil fertility and quality. This forms the basis for developing raw material areas that are both economically efficient and environmentally sustainable.

Second, the project will develop and refine field-based carbon measurement techniques. Establishing accurate monitoring methods will enable Vietnam to build a reliable system for emissions reporting in agriculture.

Third, the research team will design a regenerative agriculture package aimed at improving soil health, increasing carbon retention, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This package will be tailored to the production realities of Tay Ninh farmers, with potential for expansion to other cassava-growing regions nationwide.

Finally, the project envisions developing a sustainable starch supply strategy grounded in regenerative farming practices. This will not only increase the added value of Vietnamese cassava but also help meet the increasingly stringent international market requirements on green growth and emissions reduction.

Japanese support brings not only new scientific and technological resources to Vietnam’s cassava sector but also introduces a strategic approach to developing circular, low-emission agriculture. Tay Ninh, Vietnam’s cassava hub, will serve as the testing ground to validate and demonstrate the model before wider replication across the country. This cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in cassava production is expected to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods, raise export value, and reaffirm Vietnam’s commitment to building a green, sustainable, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Minh Thao