GIZ Thailand collaborated with the Rice Department and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to launch a knowledge management package and learning materials to develop the skills necessary for fulfilling the so-called “Measurement, Reporting and Verification” (MRV) system framework.

Comprising a handbook, printed products and a series of training videos, the MRV knowledge management package serves as a tool for transferring know-how and  process, particularly on the topics of measuring and calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the rice sector. The target groups include rice researchers, agricultural extension officers, local farmers as well as people interested in the topics.

An important objective is to translate complex technical knowledge into a user-friendly form of knowledge that addresses obstacles and demands of the users. The content of these learning materials covers all the processes in the MRV system, reflecting the intention to enhance transparency and credibility in reporting GHG emission reductions.

The MRV system provides a framework to monitor (M), report (R) and verify (V) activities to reduce GHG emissions. The Thai rice sector is striving to implement the MRV system to actively measure its climate change responses. Undeniably, such a challenging goal depends highly on  technical knowledge and know-how transfer. Interdisciplinary collaboration between environmental science, agronomy and agricultural extension and promotion is also crucial for knowledge management.

Information about how to conduct a GHG emission measurement in rice paddy fields, collect gas samples from the experimental plots, and analyse the samples by using gas chromatography (GC) with the focus on Methane (CH₄) and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) can be found in the newly printed leaflet available via this link.

A series of training video includes two training modules on GHG emission evaluation facilitated by experts from IRRI and GIZ.

This training video series consists of two modules: 1) a training module on GHG emission evaluation from farmer survey data; and 2) a training module on GHG emission evaluation from the direct GHG emission measurement data, obtained from gas chromatography (GC) analysis and experimental rice paddy field.

“The video training modules enable Thai rice researchers to enhance their knowledge and understanding of GHG emission measurement in rice fields. Many activities have been conducted in the field and laboratory. The whole process is complex and highly technical. This effort of TGCP-Agri project will increase the transparency and accountability of GHG emission data,” said Dr Laddawan Kunnoot, IRRI consultant.

Since 2018, the Thai German Climate Programme (TGCP) – Agriculture has been supporting the transfer of knowledge and skills necessary for conducting measurement and analysis of GHG emissions, ranging from designing experimental plots for direct GHG measurement, which apply various rice farming mitigation techniques, to the final step of experimental process, including data analysis and writing experimental reports.

The project aims to enhance Thai rice researchers’ potential to produce high-quality research work and handle highly technical data on GHG emission from rice cultivation. This capacity building process helps increase quality of climate data while benefiting climate response at both the domestic and international levels.

The MRV system framework also encourages collaboration and knowledge exchange between various sectors, involving environmental scientists from leading universities, policy makers from governmental agencies, rice researchers, agricultural extension officers and local farmers in six provinces in the central plain – Chai Nat, Ang Thong, Pathum Thani, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya and Sing Buri – and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast.

The success of this knowledge transfer process will support the rice MRV system. Apart from increasing credibility of research performance on GHG emission topic, the outcomes from the project embedded in the evidence-based process are important in responding to the global warming problems as well as raising awareness of all relevant stakeholders on the important role of the agriculture sector in mitigating GHG emissions.