Carbon project models in agriculture focus on reducing emissions from agricultural production, increasing the ability to store carbon in soil and crops, and improving farmers' livelihoods.

1. Manage farmland for carbon storage

Increasing the ability to store carbon in soil through improved farming practices not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also provides many sustainable benefits. Key practices include no-till farming, which reduces soil tillage, captures carbon and limits soil degradation, which can store an average of 0.3–0.6 tonnes of CO₂/ha per year; cover crops to protect the soil, reduce erosion and increase soil organic carbon content by up to 15–30% over 5 years; along with increasing the use of use organic fertilizers, replace chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers or green manure, in order to improve soil quality and reduce environmental impacts. These methods not only help increase the carbon storage capacity in the soil, but also improve soil fertility, improve crop yields, and reduce nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions from the use of chemical fertilizers, towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

2. Agroforestry

Agroforestry is a sustainable model that combines the cultivation of perennial trees (such as fruit trees, wood trees) with short-term trees or livestock, in order to optimize land use efficiency and reduce environmental impact, agroforestry can absorb an average of 2–4 tons of CO₂/ha per year, twice as much as traditional farming systems. The main methods include green hedges, where trees are planted along land boundaries to absorb carbon and protect the soil; interplanting forestry trees and short-term crops, helping to make the most of farming space and increase economic efficiency; and rehabilitate degraded forests in agriculture, by planting native trees and protecting forests in agricultural areas. This model offers many benefits, such as increasing carbon sequestration from crops and soils, improving biodiversity, reducing soil erosion, and increasing farmers' incomes thanks to products from wood trees or fruit trees. This is an effective solution to develop sustainable agriculture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Sustainable pasture and livestock management

Reducing methane (CH4) emissions from livestock and increasing carbon storage capacity in pastures is an important direction to reduce the impact of agriculture on climate change. Key practices include grassland management, such as planting diverse grasses, applying organic fertilizers, and limiting overgrazing to maintain soil quality and carbon sequestration. Improving cattle diets also helps reduce methane emissions from digestion, through the use of nutrient-dense feeds or special additives such as tannin additives or red seaweed that can reduce methane emissions from cattle digestion by up to 30%. In addition, using biogas technology to convert livestock waste into clean energy, not only reduces methane emissions but also reuses resources efficiently. An average biogas system can treat the waste of 10–15 cows, generate enough energy to meet the cooking and lighting needs of a household, and reduce methane emissions by up to 85% from livestock waste. These practices offer many benefits such as reducing methane emissions, protecting and improving grassland quality, and generating clean energy from livestock waste, contributing to building a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

4. Rice farming reduces methane emissions

Rice is one of the major sources of methane (CH4) emissions due to anaerobic decomposition in flooded rice fields. However, sustainable rice farming models can help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some key practices include Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), where, instead of maintaining a constant flood level, fields are irrigated only when needed, which cuts methane emissions by up to 48%, while saving 15–30% of irrigation water. Using rice varieties that reduce emissions, such as drought-tolerant rice varieties and low methane emissions, is also an effective solution. In addition, straw is managed by collecting and using them as compost instead of burning them, contributing to a reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. These practices not only bring benefits such as reducing methane emissions, but also reduce water consumption, improve resource efficiency, and increase farmers' incomes by cutting production costs, towards a sustainable and climate-friendly agriculture.

5. Afforestation and Forest Conservation (REDD+) Project

REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is an international initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the protection and regeneration of forests and the promotion of sustainable practices in the agricultural sector. The main activities include afforestation on agricultural land, which helps convert degraded or unproductive land into forests, increasing carbon sequestration, one hectare of forest can absorb an average of 5–10 tons of CO₂ per year. Protecting and restoring mangroves is an important activity, combining agriculture with mangrove conservation to both absorb carbon and protect coastal areas. At the same time, using native trees in afforestation helps ensure sustainability, suitable for local climate and land conditions. These activities bring many benefits, such as increasing carbon sequestration, protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, and generating income for farmers through carbon credit projects, contributing to the development of a green and sustainable economy. The REDD+ program in Indonesia has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 11 million tons of CO₂ per year, while improving the livelihoods of more than 200,000 households.

6. Use of renewable energy in agriculture

Replacing fossil energy with renewable energy in agricultural production activities is an important solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase sustainability. Solutions include the use of solar energy systems, such as solar power for pumping irrigation water or drying agricultural products; biogas, converting livestock waste into clean energy; and adopt energy-saving technology. The National Biogas Program has deployed more than 500,000 biogas systems, helping to reduce emissions by more than 1 million tons of CO₂ equivalent per year, with modern equipment that helps reduce energy consumption in production. These solutions offer many benefits, including reducing CO2 emissions from replacing fossil fuels, saving energy costs for farmers, and increasing sustainability in the agricultural value chain.

Carbon project models in sustainable agriculture not only contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also create economic and social value, such as improving productivity, improving farmers' livelihoods, and protecting the environment. With great potential in the agricultural sector, Vietnam needs to focus on investing and expanding these models, both meeting the Net Zero goal and promoting green and sustainable economic development. According to the IPCC, sustainable agricultural practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.6–6.2 gigatons of CO₂ per year, accounting for about 10–20% of the total emissions needed to be reduced to reach the Netzero target by 2050.