Assessing and enhancing sustainable rice straw management for environmental conservation in Yen Thanh District, Nghe An Province, Vietnam

Abstract

This study assessed the current management of rice straw in Yen Thanh District, Nghe An Province, and propose solutions for sustainable agricultural development. A survey was conducted with 120 households in four communes to determine straw use and management practices. The findings revealed six common methods of using and managing rice straw in Yen Thanh District: open burning, burying, mushroom plantation, using it for husbandry feeding, selling, and giving it to others. These practices vary based on the crop season. Open burning is the most prevalent practice, accounting for 98.15% and 89.52% during the winter-spring and summer-autumn harvests, respectively. A crucial step in establishing a pollution control and management database is a comprehensive inventory of emissions. Consequently, authorities and environmental scientists are currently focusing on the emission inventory, particularly emissions resulting from open-burning rice straws. The estimated total amount of rice straw produced annually is 159,732 tons, with 151,384 tons being directly burned in the fields. This burning releases significant emissions, including 1,005.18 tons of PM2.5, 1,102.08 tons of PM10, 21.80 tons of SO2, 142,543.18 tons of CO2, and more, negatively impacting the environment, human health, and agriculture. Additionally, it was observed that most farmers are inclined to continue burning rice straw out of habit in the upcoming years. The study suggests promoting alternative straw management practices such as mushroom cultivation, biochar production, and organic fertilizer production to reduce burning and its associated negative consequences. This information would be invaluable for managers to effectively plan for the future management of rice straw