Pictures courtesy of Naewna

The Rice Department is advancing carbon farming as a nationwide strategy to make rice production more sustainable and to support the country’s long-term carbon neutrality goals. On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Director-General Anont Nontree chaired a meeting highlighting new systems and technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating fresh income opportunities for rice farmers.

The discussion was held at the Rice Department headquarters in Bangkok and focused on “Carbon Farming in Rice Production: Opportunities and Pathways for Farmers”. The Rice Science Center at Kamphaeng Saen presented progress on its Carbon Farming project, alongside plans for an EO Platform for Rice Carbon Farming designed to support carbon-smart practices in rice fields across the country.

Thailand’s agricultural sector already plays a significant role in mitigating climate change. It currently has a net negative greenhouse gas balance, with net emissions recorded at minus 22.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, underscoring the potential of rice farming to contribute further to national climate targets.

Rice production is seen as a key mechanism for driving Thailand towards future carbon neutrality. By adopting carbon farming practices, farmers can reduce methane emissions from flooded fields while increasing carbon sequestration in soils, aligning agricultural productivity with environmental responsibility.

Central to this approach is the development of a comprehensive MRV system, Measurement, Reporting and Verification. This system will link plot-level data directly to national greenhouse gas accounts and carbon credit mechanisms in a transparent and verifiable way, helping ensure credibility and traceability.

The Rice Department is preparing to deploy a large-scale EO Platform, a cloud-based system that uses Earth observation technology. Developed in collaboration with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), the platform will monitor, measure, report and verify water management practices in rice paddies.

These practices include Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and mid-season drainage, both proven methods for reducing methane emissions from rice cultivation. The system will be strengthened by innovations from the Harvard Innovation Lab to improve data accuracy and reliability.

Alongside digital monitoring, the department is also promoting the development of low-methane rice varieties and the adoption of regenerative agriculture. These measures aim to increase soil carbon storage, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and position Thai rice as a low-carbon product in global markets.

Director-General Anont said the initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and prepares Thai farmers for international trade rules that increasingly prioritise environmental performance. The programme also supports the Rice Department’s broader policies on low-carbon rice production and precision agriculture.

Naewna reported that the department plans to expand carbon farming to all rice plots nationwide through integrated support systems. This is expected to create new economic opportunities for farmers while strengthening Thailand’s role in climate-responsible agriculture.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand’s Rice Department is promoting carbon farming to reduce emissions and boost farm incomes.

• A new EO Platform will track rice field practices using Earth observation technology.

• Low-methane rice varieties and regenerative agriculture are central to the strategy.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Naewna 2026-01-29

 

 

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