The SMART-RICE project (AI and Satellite-Based MRV for AWD-Enabled Sustainable Rice Cultivation in the Mekong Region) addresses the urgent need to reduce methane emissions from rice farming—one of the largest agricultural sources of greenhouse gases globally. While Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) has demonstrated the potential to reduce methane by 30–50%, adoption remains low in Cambodia and Vietnam due to technological, financial, and institutional barriers. Led by the National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT, Korea) in partnership with ThanksCarbon (a Korean climate-tech startup) and AFoCO (a regional intergovernmental organization), the project introduces an innovative MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) system powered by AI and satellite imagery. This system will automate AWD tracking and reduce verification costs by up to 60%, enabling smallholder farmers to generate verified emission reductions and earn carbon credits. Pilots will be implemented in Takeo (Cambodia) and An Giang (Vietnam), covering 60 hectares and engaging 60 farmers. Core components include drone-assisted irrigation monitoring, a Dynamic AWD Scheduler, mobile tools for field-level decision support, and capacity-building programs. A pilot incentive mechanism will link verified emission reductions to direct farmer payments. The project will generate a Sustainable Agriculture Data Platform, GHG reduction data aligned with CDM/Gold Standard protocols, and policy briefs for national integration. Long-term impacts include improved rural livelihoods, enhanced food security, and progress toward national and regional climate goals. SMART-RICE directly contributes to three MKCF priority areas—ICT, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Environment—by advancing low-carbon farming through data-driven innovation and regional collaboration.
