Tokyo, Japan (March 17-19, 2025) – As greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions drive climate change, which in turn threatens agricultural productivity, the need for timely intervention has become more urgent—especially in regions where rice is a primary source of nutrition.. Key actors came together at the ASEAN-Japan Workshop on Carbon Neutrality, Food Security, and Agricultural Innovation aimed to share strategies for carbon neutrality in agriculture, promote collaboration between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and Japanese companies to co-develop climate-smart solutions and enhance agricultural competitiveness in the ASEAN region through low-carbon practices and technologies.
The workshop brought together 59 policymakers, government officials, and representatives from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Agri-tech companies, and international non-governmental organizations from Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Japan. These participants discussed the need to balance productivity with environmental sustainability. They recognized that reducing GHGe, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture are complementary goals that must be pursued together to achieve long-term agricultural resilience and economic viability.
Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), opened the workshop by emphasizing the importance of collaboration among AMS and Japan to enhance sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Assistant Director of the ASEAN Secretariat, noted the importance of public-private partnerships for enhancing agricultural innovation and food security. "By sharing knowledge and innovative practices, we can identify solutions that benefit the environment and our communities,” said Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
Representatives from AMS presented their national policies and successful strategies for climate-resilient rice production, including direct seeded crop establishment, use of suitable varieties, integrated pest management, fertilizer management, rice straw management, and the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method.
Dr. Ritsuko Yoneda, Director for Multilateral Affairs at the International Affairs Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF Japan) also emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach. “We need to implement new ready-to-use techniques and involve the private sector more. Through our carbon credit scheme, we are focusing on the AWD method to reduce GHGe that can be converted into credits and traded. Japan is committed to sharing progress, especially from the ongoing initiatives in the Philippines, with other countries in the region.”
Key considerations for implementing carbon credits in ASEAN were identified, such as strengthening Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) capabilities, including rainfed rice systems in climate strategies, addressing awareness gaps, and standardizing policies across ASEAN countries to scale carbon credit interventions effectively.
Five agritech companies - Green Carbon, Inc., Kubota Corporation, Sagri Co., Ltd., Satake Japan, and BASF Japan Ltd., showcased their technologies to enhance sustainability, productivity, and profitability in rice farming. Participants emphasized the need for policies to support agritech solutions, ensuring their scalability and impact. “The workshop allowed me to finally connect with individuals I’ve long hoped to collaborate with, which I believe will significantly accelerate our projects,” noted Mr. Ryo Harada, Manager, Global Sourcing Division at Green Carbon, Inc.
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) also presented its low-carbon technologies with Dr. Yasuro Funaki, Director of Social Sciences Division/Project Leader of Green Asia at JIRCAS. He highlighted the need for field testing and fine-tuning technologies in local contexts and the importance of private sector involvement.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is implementing two new projects with funding from MAFF Japan: Development of rice cropping systems toward carbon neutrality and food security in ASEAN countries project (MAFF Japan-IRRI project), and the Accelerating Development and Scaling of Agricultural Innovations for Reducing GHG emissions in ASEAN countries project (AGRI project).
“Through these new initiatives with Japan, we are co-developing and testing integrated low-carbon farming practices in collaboration with the private sector, including Kubota Corporation. As part of our collaborative project with Kubota, we are conducting field experiments to assess the GHGe reduction and the effect on yield when AWD and rice straw removal are combined,” said Dr. Kazuki Saito, Senior Scientist at the IRRI.
Participants also visited two model farms in Ibaraki Prefecture, where they observed advanced technologies and sustainable agricultural practices. At Yokota Farm, the focus is on resource use efficiency—optimizing labor, machinery, and inputs to reduce production costs across 170 hectares of rice fields. Meanwhile, Mizuno Hajimari adopts a natural circular farming approach.
“I consider our visit to Yokota Farm to be one of the most significant activities of the workshop. The farm’s CEO, Mr. Shuichi Yokota, demonstrated how they operate efficiently with minimal human resources,” said Mr. Bunika San, Director of Agri-Smart Innovation Co., Ltd. in Cambodia. “Their commitment to self-reliance and smart agriculture practices, along with the effective use of chicken fertilizer while minimizing chemical inputs, was particularly impressive. We can definitely draw inspiration from Japan's innovative practices to develop innovations that are suited to our context. ” In addition to Agri-Smart Innovation Co., Ltd., other MSMEs, including Vinaseed Vietnam, Asian Farmers’ Association, Delous Company Limited, Mekongsinsup KanKaset, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos, presented their contributions to carbon neutrality and food security.
The following next steps were identified during the workshop:
- Establish a regional platform to share best practices, research, and innovations in sustainable rice farming and agritech adoption.
- Enhance MRV capabilities through collaborative research and investment in digital tools for accurate emissions tracking across ASEAN.
- Promote integrated climate-smart practices beyond AWD by incorporating soil health, nutrient management, and diversified cropping.
- Increase awareness and capacity building for farmers and other relevant stakeholders regarding carbon markets, climate-smart innovations, and sustainable intensification.
- Promote public-private partnerships to accelerate the adoption of agritech and develop market-driven solutions for sustainable rice value chains.
- Strengthen market linkages within the AMS, reducing marketing channels and ultimately increasing profitability.
The event was organized by the AJC, IRRI, and SEARCA. It is partially funded by the MAFF Japan-IRRI project, which is aligned with Innovation Package 2: Climate Neutrality and Circular Agriculture in the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Regional Program.
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