Hydrogen in Agriculture: Research Application and China's Experience
Mr. Andy Lei exchanged idea with Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh, Chairman of VAHC
Event: Seminar on Application of Hydrogen in Agriculture in Vietnam and ASEAN 2025
Organizers: Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club, Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE), Vietnam Agribusiness Club (Doanh Nong)
Date: August 28, 2025
Speaker: Mr. Andy Lei - Vice President of Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club
At the seminar, Mr. Andy Lei delivered a profound and informative presentation, sharing research, practical applications, and valuable experience from China in applying hydrogen to agriculture.
Mr. Andy Lei, Vice Chairman of VAHC, in charge of China's Market, presenting at the Seminar
1. Origin and Hydrogen Industry Background
Mr. Andy Lei began with a unique perspective on the origin of hydrogen - the first and most abundant element in the universe, formed after the Big Bang. This highlighted the natural existence and immense potential of this element.
He quickly transitioned to the modern landscape of the hydrogen industry, listing leading companies such as Sinopec, Linde, Air Products, and Chinese companies like Foran Energy, Dongyue Future Hydrogen, and LONGI, which are profiting from various parts of the hydrogen value chain. He also described the complete hydrogen industry ecosystem from Production (Upstream), Storage & Distribution (Midstream) to End-use Applications (Downstream), where agriculture is a key application area.
Mr. Andy took photos with the Organizer of the Seminar
2. Specific Applications of Hydrogen in Agriculture
The core of the presentation focused on practical applications:
-
Increasing yield and improving quality: Hydrogen activates antioxidant enzymes, reduces oxidative stress in plants, promotes photosynthesis and nutrient absorption, thereby increasing yield (15-20% for rice) and sugar/vitamin content.
-
Reducing pesticide dependence: Hydrogen enhances plants' systemic resistance, helping to reduce pesticide residues by 30-50% (tested on strawberries).
-
Soil improvement: Hydrogen regulates soil microbiota, promotes beneficial bacteria (e.g., nitrogen-fixing bacteria), improves compaction and salinization, and increases organic matter content.
Audience who are agribusiness companies, media, agribank listened to Mr. Andy's explanation
3. Technology and Impressive Practical Results
Mr. Andy Lei introduced key technologies:
-
Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) irrigation technology: Dissolving hydrogen gas into irrigation water to promote root development.
-
Hydrogen molecular gas fertilizer system: Using nanobubble technology to inject hydrogen gas as micro-bubbles into the soil, improving microbiota and stress resistance (drought, salinity), while reducing fertilizer use by 20%.
-
Hydrogen-based compound fertilizer: Combining hydrogen with conventional NPK fertilizers to create slow-release intelligent fertilizer.
Compelling data from pilot projects in China were presented:
-
Rice: Yield increased by 17%, heavy metal content reduced by 70%.
-
Strawberry: Yield increased by 39%, sugar-acid ratio increased by 23%, aromatic substances increased by 151%.
-
Vegetables: Yield increased by 33%, Vitamin C increased by 62%.
-
Blueberry: Yield increased by 24%, anthocyanin (antioxidant) increased by 26%.
Dr. Luu Son Tung from Nguyen Tat Thanh University raised question to Mr. Andy about how to apply this technology to Vietnam's farms of different sectors
4. Future Prospects and Challenges
Concluding his presentation, Mr. Andy Lei outlined great prospects but also addressed challenges that need to be overcome:
-
Technology is still rapidly evolving, posing risks of technological shifts.
-
Dependence on government policy support and subsidies.
-
Incomplete infrastructure.
-
High production cost of green hydrogen.
-
Fluctuating market demand.
Mr. Andy Lei's presentation provided a comprehensive view, from theory to successful practical application, offering valuable suggestions and lessons for Vietnam on its journey to develop a high-tech, sustainable agriculture sector with hydrogen.
Please send email to contact@vahc.com.vn to receive the full presentation.
Mr. Andy Lei presenting
Mr. Le Viet Tung, Vice Head of the Office of Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of South Vietnam highly appreciated the speaker's new innovation that could help Vietnam's agriculture to reduce emission and increase yield and especially to bring in a new approach by applying hydrogen into several sectors of agriculture.
Group photo of delegates, speakers and the organizer of the seminar
