Vietnam Turns Industrial Waste into Fertiliser.

Vietnam is set to welcome a pioneering sustainable agriculture initiative, as Japanese biotech firm CHITOSE and Vietnamese environmental solutions company TA Vital join forces to transform industrial sludge into agricultural compost

This collaborative project marks a significant step toward Vietnam’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050, aligning with the nation’s broader environmental and circular economy ambitions.

The facility, under construction in the Prodezi Industrial Park—one of Vietnam’s first recognised eco-industrial zones—is expected to begin trial production by the end of 2025. During the initial phase, the compost produced will be used for landscaping purposes within the park itself, due to variability in sludge content sourced from multiple factories.

At the heart of this initiative is CHITOSE’s advanced composting technology, which employs an industrial-scale barrel system combined with a custom microbial blend. This enables the effective breakdown and detoxification of sludge materials, converting up to 80% into usable compost. Integrated AI monitoring tools track fermentation conditions in real time, optimising temperature, moisture, and microbial activity to ensure consistent quality.

A key innovation lies in the ability to tailor the nutrient content of the compost to meet the specific needs of crops—such as dragon fruit—enhancing yield and soil health. Although initial applications will focus on non-food plants, the long-term goal is to expand into food crop fertilisation by working directly with factories producing more consistent, organic waste streams.

Another future ambition is to shift from Japanese-sourced equipment to local production, helping reduce costs and expand deployment across Vietnam and potentially Southeast Asia.

By transforming waste into high-value agricultural input, this project stands as a practical model of the circular economy in action. It not only supports industrial sustainability but also holds promise for reducing chemical fertiliser use and improving soil resilience—two critical needs for climate-smart agriculture in the region.

As Vietnam continues to advance its green agenda, this sludge-upcycling venture represents a meaningful step toward a more regenerative and resource-efficient future.

New crop varieties have already been introduced, including drought‑ and disease‑resistant wheat.

China is stepping up its efforts in crop breeding and seed variety regulation in order to improve agricultural resilience, productivity, and innovation

On 29 August, the Seed Industry Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), together with its Science & Technology Development Centre and related bodies, held a national conference in Chongqing to address these issues. New crop varieties have already been introduced, including drought‑ and disease‑resistant wheat, machine‑harvestable corn, and high‑oil, high‑protein soybeans.

However, MARA identified problems such as imitative breeding and variety homogenisation-where many seed varieties are too similar and offer little distinct benefit. To tackle this, MARA called for “targeted and robust measures” to eliminate imitation, encourage genuine innovation, and remove seed varieties that lack market value. A variety management action plan is in place, aiming to improve germplasm utilisation, speed up breeding innovation, tighten trial and approval procedures, phase out underperforming varieties, and strengthen protection of plant variety rights. The plan aims to reduce “inflation” in approved varieties and seriously address variety homogenisation within three years.

At the same meeting, China unveiled the National Crop Germplasm Resources Management and Sharing Platform, a digital tool that gives access to over 300,000 germplasm resources across 26 crops like rice, maize, soybean, wheat and vegetables. The platform provides information about access paths, supplying institutions, and sharing status, helping breeders and researchers find and use these materials more efficiently. MARA said it will work to improve the platform's search functions and accelerate exchange of high‑quality resources.

Implementation is expected to involve stronger coordination between national and provincial agencies, clear deadlines, and concrete measures. MARA emphasises that the action plan must be carried out in a “checklist‑based, closed‑loop manner” to ensure all tasks are completed and deliver tangible results.

Together, these efforts represent China’s resolve to modernize its seed sector, support original innovation, and ensure variety offerings are meaningful and useful. With stricter regulation, enhanced breeding innovation and better use of germplasm, China hopes to dramatically improve how new seed varieties are developed, approved, and supplied to farmers.

This new partnership builds on previous efforts between the three companies to test and promote digital technologies that improve productivity.

Seibu Kaihatsu Nosan Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation Tohoku Co., Ltd. have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and revitalising regional farming in Japan’s Tohoku region

This alliance focuses on improving food production, supporting local farmers, and promoting the use of smart farming technologies. The collaboration will focus on four key areas:

The first project aims to improve productivity and efficiency in agriculture by introducing smart farming technologies. These technologies, which include IoT-based work tracking, automated machinery, and agricultural drones, will be showcased through demonstrations to farmers across Tohoku. The goal is to help farmers achieve stable food production by adopting these innovations.

This initiative focuses on supporting farmers with consulting services and training programmes. The companies will collect and analyse data from farm machinery and smartphones to help improve operational efficiency. By leveraging their expertise in farmland management, they aim to sustain and grow regional agriculture, even in the face of a declining and ageing farming population.

The third project will work on enhancing the agricultural supply chain. By linking producer data with food processing and distribution companies, the alliance will help farmers better manage market fluctuations and improve product quality. The project also includes support for post-harvest activities such as sorting and drying, which will benefit producers and the entire distribution network in the region.

The fourth area of focus involves the adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices. The partners will demonstrate and promote the use of eco-friendly agricultural inputs and cultivation systems, with an emphasis on reducing environmental impact. They also plan to explore the practical application of a carbon credit programme to further boost sustainability.

Japan’s agricultural industry is facing a critical challenge, with the number of farmers halving in the last 20 years. In 2023, the average age of Japanese farmers stood at 69. Additionally, nearly 10% of Japan’s farmland is abandoned, with over 420,000 hectares left unused.

Seibu Kaihatsu Nosan, one of Japan’s largest agricultural corporations, manages about 1,000 hectares of farmland and has already been leveraging smart technologies for more efficient farming. By offering services such as spraying, harvesting, and drying on behalf of neighbouring farmers, the company is helping maintain the vibrancy of regional agriculture.

This new partnership builds on previous efforts between the three companies to test and promote digital technologies that improve productivity. Their expanded collaboration aims to address the pressing issues facing agriculture in Tohoku, driving both technological innovation and regional revitalisation.

The campaign’s goals are to reaffirm European dairy’s reputation for high-quality products.

In 2024, Irish dairy exports to Asia surpassed €440 million, highlighting Ireland's growing role as a key supplier of high-quality dairy products

To build on this success, the European Union and Ireland have launched a €3.2 million campaign, titled “European Dairy – Ireland, Where Nature Meets Science”. The campaign, co-funded by the EU, is designed to strengthen partnerships in Asia and ensure sustainable, traceable dairy ingredients for the region's growing nutrition market. Running until 2028, it will focus on building supply resilience and fostering long-term trade relationships in Singapore, China, and Vietnam.

Singapore was chosen as the regional hub for the campaign due to its central role in Asia’s food innovation ecosystem. The country’s world-class food safety standards and research infrastructure make it an ideal location to connect Europe’s dairy industry with Asia’s demand for sustainable ingredients. This collaboration also allows Europe to meet the evolving needs of Asia’s volatile global food market.

Sarah McGrath, Ambassador of Ireland to Singapore, said, “This campaign is a symbol of Ireland’s commitment to strengthening the bridges between Europe and Asia. By launching in Singapore, we are reinforcing not only a vital trade relationship but also our shared pursuit of innovation, research, and sustainable development in food. Ireland’s expertise in science-driven agriculture, combined with Asia’s leadership in food innovation, creates an opportunity to deepen trust and collaboration across sectors. This initiative reflects the spirit of partnership that will define the future of our cultural and economic ties.”

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, is spearheading the campaign, aiming to connect Irish producers with partners in key global markets. With offices in locations such as Singapore, Shanghai, and Tokyo, Bord Bia facilitates trade links and drives long-term collaborations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.

Lisa Phelan, Director for Southeast Asia and Australia at Bord Bia, said, “Ireland’s grass-fed, sustainably produced dairy, supported by Origin Green, our pioneering national food and drink sustainability programme, brings provenance, quality, and science-driven innovation—but we cannot achieve impact alone. By collaborating with Singapore, which combines technological expertise, research capabilities, and regional market knowledge, we can secure Asia’s nutrition future with dairy that is trusted, traceable, and future-ready. This campaign exemplifies how Europe’s strengths and Asia’s innovation ecosystem can come together to drive sustainable, long-term food solutions."

Ireland leads Europe in sustainable dairy production, with 90% of its herds grass-fed, a unique distinction globally. Additionally, 95% of Irish processors are enrolled in Origin Green, the independently verified sustainability programme, highlighting Ireland’s commitment to quality and traceability. The country is ranked second globally in the Food Security Index, further reinforcing its role as a reliable supplier.

The campaign’s goals are to reaffirm European dairy’s reputation for high-quality products, provide traceable ingredients, and strengthen connections between Singaporean firms and European innovation pipelines.