CO-506696 Oxfam in Vietnam proposes a project to establish an efficient and scalable Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system tomeasure GHG emission in the rice sector, and to contribute to the NDC implementation in the agricultural sector. The project will develop a digital tool that allows for easy data collection and aggregation while also formulating an MRV framework for the rice sector. Oxfam in Vietnam leverages our experience in deploying grassroots data collection tools as well as support from MARD and IRRI indesigning the proposed project. The core intervention aligns well with MARD’s strategy to digitalise Vietnam’s agricultural sector.
Overall Objective: To contribute to Vietnam’s efforts in achieving NDCs and reducing GHG emission in rice sector through piloting an innovative digital system for Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV).
Indicators: By the end of the project,
• A digital tool for GHG emission MRV for rice sector has been developed and piloted in 02 rice exporting companies and applied in 02 provinces in the Mekong delta
• MARD has formulated a clear pathway to scale up the tool for nationwide application
Outcome 1: A digital systemfor GHG emission MRV is piloted. Based on IRRI’s GHG calculator SECTOR, Oxfam will develop a mobile application for farmers to calculate GHG of their own rice fields (so called “RICE HERO”). The app will be easy for farmers to use, requiring them to input information about their fields that is already available and aggregating the results (by time, geography, …). To them, RICE HERO will act as a ’farm diary’ that allows them to monitor their farmland’s conditions and respond as necessary. Oxfam will work with MARD and provincial DARDs to pilot the app in 02 provinces, training local users (farmers, cooperatives, rice producing companies, DARD officials) to use the app and document the case studies for further finetuning and scaling.
Output 1.1: The “RICE HERO” app is developed andfield tested to be ready for piloting
Activity 1.1.1: Develop the app “RICE HERO” building on SECTOR’s foundation
Activity 1.1.2: Field test the app in 02 provinces with the engagement of 02 rice exporting companies
Output 1.2: “RICE HERO” is piloted in 02 provinces and the results are documented
Activity 1.2.1: Train technical staff of rice exporting companies and local users in using the “RICE HERO” app and implementing practices that reduce GHG emission (e.g. SRI)
Activity 1.2.2: Pilot the app in 02 provinces
Activity 1.2.3: Document the pilot results for scaling
Outcome 2: A mechanism to deploy RICE HERO nationally is established. Based on the pilot results collected in Outcome 1, Oxfam will work closely with MARD to develop a pathway to apply the RICE HERO as the MRV system nationwide. More specifically, Oxfam and IRRI will collaborate to develop a comprehensive electronic handbook providing guiding principles for using RICE HERO to conduct emissions MRV for the rice sector, and providing resources on how best practices for MRV can beapplied to support national-level objectives. Oxfam will work with MARD to replicate the pilots’ success into another 02 provinces to demonstrate the system’s potential.
Output 2.1: A handbook on deploying RICE HERO for MRV in the rice sector is developed
Activity 2.1.1: Develop MRV handbook
Activity 2.1.2: Organise consultation workshops
Activity 2.1.3: Provide technical assistance for MARD to adopt and deploy RICE HERO nationally
Output 2.2: RICE HERO is deployed in 02 additional provinces
Activity 2.2.1: Secure buy-in of provincial authorities in deploying RICE HERO for rice sector MRV
Activity 2.2.2: Train farmers cooperatives, companies and localofficials in using RICE HERO
Oxfam’s added value: Oxfam brings into this project our expertise in designing and piloting innovativedata collection tools for local users (citizens <(>&<)> government officials). RICE HERO will be designed with specific attention to women farmers to enhance their role in agricultural production activities, especially in water resources management at community level. In addition, Oxfam will leverage our existing networks with smallholder farmers, cooperatives and private sector in building their capacity and deploying the app.