BENEO partners with Rikolto and CarbonFarm for sustainable rice project in Vietnam
Functional ingredients manufacturer BENEO has entered into a three-year partnership with international NGO Rikolto and climate technology firm CarbonFarm to promote sustainable rice production in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The €800,000 initiative, funded by the Government of Flanders as part of the Flanders International Climate Action Programme, aims to train over 1,000 Vietnamese rice farmers in Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standards from summer 2025.
Addressing environmental challenges in rice cultivation
The project addresses significant sustainability challenges within Vietnam’s rice sector. As one of the world’s largest rice exporters, Vietnam’s agricultural practices contribute substantially to global environmental impacts. Rice cultivation accounts for approximately 10% of anthropogenic methane emissions and consumes more than one-third of irrigation water worldwide. Vietnamese farming practices suffer from inefficient water usage, excessive application of fertilisers and pesticides, and rice residue burning, all contributing to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Research indicates that sustainable rice production methods can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% and decrease water usage by 30% whilst maintaining yield levels.
Training and technology implementation
The initiative, which commenced in April during a Belgian state visit to Vietnam, will provide comprehensive training to farmers on sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices aligned with SRP standards. Training modules will cover efficient water management techniques and responsible pesticide and fertiliser usage, supported by demonstration fields showcasing practical applications.
The project incorporates advanced monitoring technologies, including satellite systems and digital logbooks, to track farming practices and provide scientific measurements of emissions and water consumption. CarbonFarm will deploy these digital and satellite tools to support data collection, sustainability assessments, and project validation.
Value chain development and market integration
BENEO’s role focuses on developing markets for SRP-certified rice ingredients, with processing operations at its Wijgmaal, Belgium facility converting certified rice into high-quality starch, flour, and protein ingredients for food and pet food applications. The company aims to process at least 10,000 tonnes of sustainably grown rice throughout the project duration, with initial volumes expected in autumn 2025.
“This initiative clearly demonstrates BENEO’s dedication to climate mitigation actions, sustainability and its proactive approach to addressing global challenges through innovative solutions,” said Roland Vanhoegaerden, Operations Managing Director for Specialty Rice Ingredients at BENEO. “We are proud and excited to leverage BENEO’s longstanding expertise in producing and marketing functional ingredients in collaboration with our project partners and Vietnamese farmers to reduce the environmental impact of rice production.”
The initiative supports BENEO’s ‘Healthy Planet Plan’ sustainability strategy whilst creating an innovative value chain model connecting small-scale farmers to international markets and providing additional incentives for sustainable cultivation practices.
For more information, visit: https://www.beneo.com
