From aging fields to youth innovation: Reimagining Vietnam's rice value chain

The planning workshop for the Integrated Country Approach for boosting decent jobs for youth in agrifood systems (ICA-4) project, focusing on Vietnam's rice sector, was held on February 5–6, 2026 in Can Tho City. It served as a consultative platform where feedback from a wide range of national stakeholders was gathered to help refine the strategic direction of the project.

Nearly 80 participants attended, representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Can Tho Association of Persons with Disabilities, NGOs such as Rikolto, private sector actors including  Sai Gon Kim Hong company, JKA company, Phong Phu Straw Company and Hat Ngoc Rice Farm Company, as well as the Youth Union of Can tho City, and young men and women from rural communities.

The ICA-4 project adopts a market-systems development (MSD) approach. By partnering with market players to address youth employment barriers, ICA-4 aims to improve market functions and policies to create more and better jobs.

During the workshop, the project team presented data on rural labour trends – particularly challenges facing youth – and shared the updated development plan for the rice sector, with a focus on greater engagement of youth. Participants were consulted on potential interventions proposed by the ICA-4 project, including upgraded business models (specifically those related to mechanization and rice by-products) and improvements to the enabling environment and governance to strengthen youth participation and voice within the rice value chain.

Feedback revealed strong interest in the ICA-4 project, the first initiative in Vietnam specifically promoting decent employment for youth in the rice value chain. This comes at a critical time as the sector's workforce is aging, with the average age of farmers currently over 50 years old. Agriculture is often perceived as "dirty," low-paying, and low-status work, contributing to declining youth interest.

While participants expressed high expectations for successful, replicable models, they also identified several challenges: shifting deep-rooted perceptions, a lack of existing youth-led startup success stories to learn from, insufficient support services (such as finance, training, incubation, business development services), and the relatively short project timeframe compared to the time needed to see the long-term impacts of youth initiatives.

Mr. Tuan Le Minh, from the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, expressed strong support for the ICA-4 project's mission to promote youth-led income generation. He highlighted the potential of young people to act as change agents –advocating for green production practices among older generations and creating higher added value for Vietnamese rice. The successful piloting of ICA-4 project activities could lay the groundwork for future scale-up and policy advocacy supporting rural youth.

Several promising business models tailored for young people were presented during the workshop. There is a clear demand for mechanization services due to a widespread labour shortage. For instance, JKA (a company providing mechanized tillage services), cooperatives, and family-owned enterprises highlighted  potential opportunities for youth to provide machinery-based services, such as direct rice seeding and land preparation. 

Mechanization services using relatively advanced technology-, such as drone-based production services, were also identified as particularly attractive entry points for the younger generation. The Vietnam Rice Sector Association (VIETRISA) emphasized that favorable policies and strong governance are essential to support these business models.

Current state of the rice sector in Vietnam and opportunities for youth

As a cornerstone of Vietnam's economy, the rice sector is currently undergoing a strategic transformation, headlined by the Government's "One Million Hectares" initiative for high-quality, low-emission production of rice. While the Mekong Delta generates over 90% of national rice exports, smallholder farmers face intensifying threats from climate change – most notably saline intrusion – alongside rising input costs and volatile rice prices. The shift from low-grade bulk exports of rice to sustainably produced, high-value rice products is opening new frontiers for specialized employment and greater economic resilience.

Despite the challenges of an aging farming population and migration to urban areas, new employment opportunities are emerging in the rice value chain. These include advanced mechanization and repair services, processing of rice by-products, product development, branding and marketing of value-added rice products, which require new skills considered well suited to young people. However, a significant skills gap persists in rural areas. Targeted skills development and awareness-raising campaigns are needed to help youth and their families recognize the potential for meaningful careers in a greener, more sustainable rice sector in Vietnam.   

Next steps

Beyond gathering insights, the workshop successfully mapped out a network of high-potential partnerships across the public and private sectors engaged in the rice value chain. These contributions have provided the project with the clarity needed to ensure alignment with market needs and youth aspirations.

ICA-4 will engage both the private and public sectors, fostering partnerships with local institutions at key value chain nodes to ensure an enabling environment and incentives for businesses to be more youth inclusive. It will also integrate climate change adaptation, gender equality, and youth empowerment through networks and collective action.

Following the planning workshop, the project will finalize its intervention strategy and begin implementation with youth and partners in the coming months.