Representatives of the Delegation of the European Union visited a model of tea processing using VCBG technology
On April 13, 2022, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Vietnam paid a visit to Thai Nguyen province within the framework of the BEST project. They were demonstrated with a working model of volumetric continuous biomass gasification (referred to as VCBG) in Dai Tu district.
Representing the Delegation there were Mr. Koen Etienne M.Duchateau, First Counselor, Head of Development Cooperation, and Mr. Hoang Thanh, Program Manager. Accompanying the delegation there was Oxfam in Vietnam and the Center for Creativity and Sustainability Study and Consultancy (CCS).
During the visit, the European Union Delegation had working sessions with leaders of Thai Nguyen province and Dai Tu district to discuss the project's progress and its potential contributions to the province's development. The local government and the delegation highly appreciated the suitability of the project's goal of green growth with the energy transition strategy of Vietnam and Thai Nguyen province, especially now that Vietnam has recently committed to the goal of zero emissions at COP26.
Both sides affirmed that the BEST project is a typical example of a circular economy model, contributing to promoting the reuse of abundant local agro-forestry by-products as fuel in agricultural product processing. Mr. Koen Duchateau asserted that although the project progress was behind schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with people's hesitance to apply new technology, the BEST project has achieved very encouraging initial results. He emphasized that the timely support of the local government, as well as the active cooperation between the government departments, businesses, people, and the social sector, are two of the key factors contributing to the success of the project.
The parties agreed to accelerate the implementation of activities and strengthen communication to promote the application of VCBG technology in the coming time. At the meeting with Dai Tu District People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Nam Tien, Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, directed the departments to coordinate with the project to organize a media event in April 2022 on the occasion of the action month of food safety.
Afterwards, the delegation visited a tea processing facility applying VCBG technology, including Tran Nam Cooperative and An Van Tra Cooperative. Representatives of cooperatives gave very positive feedback about the benefits that VCBG technology brings. Typically, Tran Nam facility has saved 10-15 million gas money per month since applying VCBG. In addition, VCBG technology does not create smoke and dust, which helps create smoke- and dust-free products and a safe working environment for producers, especially women.
At the Hong Thang mechanic factory, Mr. Nguyen Hong Thang, the owner of the facility, was very enthusiastic to share about his journey with the project, where he received proper training and transfer of technology, supported in researching and improving the tea processing line to be compatible with VCBG. Mr. Thang expressed his passion for the new technology, and that he'd always learned and creatively improved mechanical devices. His facility has made many VCBG devices to orders from facilities inside and outside the province. Founded in 1994, with many years of experience in the profession, Mr. Thang highly appreciates the potential of VCBG technology, which is suitable for many agricultural product processing industries. He said he will continue to improve the current agricultural product processing machinery and equipment to be able to apply/ combine/ put VCBG equipment into use.
Visiting the biomass processing facility, the mission realized that the potential of biomass fuel supply services is huge. Biomass fuel is very necessary for agricultural product processing facilities, especially those that are applying VCBG technology. Biomass is a by-product of agriculture and forestry that has not been used properly, even discarded or burned in large quantities, causing waste of resources, pollution of the living environment, and greenhouse gas emissions. The collection, processing, and consumption of biomass have great significance for the management of by-products, contributing to pollution reduction, climate change mitigation, and more importantly, increasing income for local people. It can be said that biomass is an abundant, easily accessible renewable energy source that is not as dependent on the weather as solar and wind energy.
The members of the delegation together with local representatives directly saw the excitement of the target groups, the benefits of applying VCBG technology, the benefits of the project contributing to promoting green growth, sustainable energy transition, and replication of the circular economy model in Thai Nguyen province.
