And so the adventure begins…

Today marks the first day of my Vietnamese adventure. I’m leaving Cork today and off to Vietnam for 11 weeks. I’ll be checking out, and analyzing the climate smart agricultural (CSA) practices used here and mapping regions of suitability. 

So what is CSA? In a nutshell, CSA is basically any adaptive agricultural practice which enables people to gain food and nutritional security, enhance their livelihoods while contributing to climate change mitigation! 

Sounds pretty broad right? That’s a good thing! It means we have tons of options! 

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have long been involved with climate smart practices and have developed very important practices such as the alternate wetting and drying technique in rice paddies. I’m so delighted to be working with IRRI in Vietnam’s capital of Hanoi. 

CSA is of massive importance in Vietnam and helps build resilience and strengthen communities. Vietnam has actually been identified as one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and so it will be amazing to see the positive effects that the practices I have been studying, actually have in real life.  

Looking forward to an eye-opening and inspiring trip ✌️