Developing biomass energy from agricultural by-products in the context of trade development

With global trade development, emerging economies can absorb biomass energy production techniques and technologies from developed countries. However, several constraints still need to be improved in producing biomass energy in emerging economies. Therefore, this research aims to understand the critical motivating factors of biomass energy production that contribute to a circular economy via agricultural by-products in Vietnam's emerging economy. This study employs a qualitative analysis using information from the in-depth interviews of farmer households, agricultural by-product traders, and bioenergy producers in Vietnam. This study revealed the motivating factors as the main determinants in producing biomass energy: (1) digitalization, (2) technical and logistics, (3) social capital, (4) prices, and (5) government supports. This study also confirms that Vietnam has diverse biomass waste sources and a high potential for biomass energy production. To motivate biomass energy development, the government should support credit and loans for stakeholders in producing biomass energy. Moreover, the government should encourage and support energy producers to implement digital transformation to expand production scale and improve business operations. Insights from this study can help farmers, traders, and bioenergy producers by adapting their strategies within their local contexts. •Biomass conversion from agricultural by-products has a potential development in an emerging economy.•Biomass conversion from agricultural by-products is an important factor for environmental protection and sustainable development.•Logistics systems, advanced technology, input and the price of output as the main constraints in producing biomass energy.•Government supports play leverage in motivating firms to invest in biomass conversion.