Smart Net-Zero

August 20, 2024 | Vietnamnet Global | 

Azolla, a super-organism used in animal feed and organic fertilizer, is gaining attention for its potential to revolutionize agriculture and combat climate change. According to experts like Dr. Pham Gia Minh from Azovi, azolla absorbs CO₂ eight times more efficiently than green trees and reduces methane emissions from rice fields by 20-40%. Countries like China, India, and the Netherlands are already utilizing azolla on a large scale.

In Vietnam, azolla’s potential is largely untapped, despite its rapid growth and benefits in organic farming. Farmers using azolla in rice cultivation can create low-emission, high-yield crops, opening opportunities for carbon credits. However, challenges such as pesticide overuse, yellow snails, and the lack of a clear policy on azolla's classification hinder its widespread adoption.

Experts urge the Vietnamese government to establish azolla cultivation policies and promote its use in sustainable agriculture, which could enhance the value of existing resources and support climate change mitigation efforts.