Innovative Aigamo Robot Featured in Vietnamese Agricultural Policy Reports

Aigamo Robot's Triumph in Vietnam's Agricultural Sector

NEWGREEN, based in Koganei City, Tokyo, has recently achieved a significant milestone for its innovative rice-field weeding robot, the Aigamo Robot. This groundbreaking technology was featured in an official report from the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC), under Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The exposure was a result of the seminar titled “Promoting Agricultural Mechanization - Solutions for Productivity Enhancement, Cost Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation” held in Ho Chi Minh City from July 23 to 24, 2026.

This seminar brought together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and different agricultural organizations across the southern regions of Vietnam, including a notable presentation by Tetsuya Nakamura, Vice President of NEWGREEN and developer of the Aigamo Robot. The inclusion of the Aigamo Robot in this official document underscores its potential as a concrete solution to improve agricultural practices as highlighted in Vietnam’s national agricultural strategies.

The Significance of the Aigamo Robot

The official report outlines Vietnam's commitment to enhance rice production through the “One Million Hectare High-Quality Low-Emission Rice Production Program,” focusing on sustainable practices that align with climate goals. The inclusion of the Aigamo Robot exemplifies its recognition as an essential tool for achieving these ambitious objectives. The NAEC introduced a “Smart Mechanization Model” based on the FAO’s Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization Framework, showcasing the roadmap from 2026 to 2035, which aims for comprehensive integration of AI and robotics in agriculture.

Among the 21 institutions invited to contribute to the report's content were key local agricultural firms such as Loc Troi Company and Binh Dien Fertilizer, with NEWGREEN being the only representative from Japan’s agricultural robot sector. This indicates the growing influence and acknowledgment of the Aigamo Robot in shaping agricultural policy and practice in Vietnam.

Partnership Expansion and Future Directions

NEWGREEN embarked on its collaboration with Loc Troi Company in April 2024, with the aim of implementing the Aigamo Robot in Vietnam’s fields. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was established on March 3, 2026, between NAEC, Loc Troi, and NEWGREEN, which set the stage for cooperative experiments, development of usage manuals, and certification of methane reduction effects in the Mekong Delta region.

Confirmed benefits from these pilot projects show significant reductions in methane emissions, attracting interest from national research institutions like the CETDAE (Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Institute) and Vietnam National University of Agriculture, highlighting the robot's role in sustainable farming.

The Aigamo Robot has demonstrated a 60% reduction in weeding labor and a 10% increase in yield, further supported by research corroborating its effectiveness in mitigating damages caused by the invasive Giant Apple Snail and reducing methane emissions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan has included these results in their technology catalog.

As Vietnam sets a target for the 2030 methane reduction goals under the One Million Hectare Project, the synergies between AWD (Alternate Wetting and Drying) and the Aigamo Robot will be pivotal in achieving these objectives.

Upcoming Initiatives and Continued Promotion

Moving forward, from June 2026 to December 2027, NEWGREEN plans to conduct small-scale experiments as outlined in the MOU over a three-season trial period on one-hectare plots. The company also aims to apply for business model verification projects under JICA, with substantial scaling anticipated from 2027 to 2028.

Moreover, further plans are laid out for large-scale experiments covering 10 hectares, with anticipated applications for funding under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s global assistance programs.

At the seminar, discussions highlighted the importance of transitioning agricultural mechanization metrics from mere equipment counts to evaluations based on economic, social, and environmental impacts. There’s ongoing collaboration with the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology Applications (VIAEP) to establish critical agricultural technologies, thereby reinforcing the goals shared by the Aigamo Robot project and local rice production capabilities.

In conclusion, NEWGREEN remains committed to leveraging the Aigamo Robot’s success to progressively establish a low-emission rice farming model while fostering robust partnerships in Vietnam’s agricultural landscape.