Transformative Social Learning for Agricultural Sustainability and Climate Change Adaptation in the Vietnam Mekong Delta

Le Thi Hong Phuong, Tran Duc Tuan and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuc
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Le Thi Hong Phuong: Faculty of Extension and Rural Development, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam
Tran Duc Tuan: Institute of Research and Education for Sustainable Development (IRESD) & Centre for Research & Promotion of Education for Sustainable Development, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuc: School of Education, Can Tho University, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: Climate change has seriously affected agriculture and many aspects of the life of local people in the Vietnam Mekong Delta (VMD). Learning to shift towards sustainable development to successfully adapt to climate change is essential. The VACB (V—garden/orchard; A—fishing farm; C—livestock farm; B—biogas) model is considered one of the best approaches and methods to adapt to climate change in the VMD. This paper aims to explore the transformative social learning and sustainable development associated with this model in terms of agricultural transformation for sustainability to climate change adaptation in the VMD. The mixed methods approach that guided the data collection included focus group discussions, in-depth interviews with key informants and household surveys. Our findings show that there are three learning processes associated with transformative social learning linked to the VACB model: instrumental, communicative and emancipatory learning. Farmers reported increased knowledge and improved relationships and efficiency when applying the VACB model using several learning channels, both formal and informal. Farmers highlighted six factors that influenced transformative social learning during the adoption and development of the VACB model and several barriers to implementing adaptation strategies to climate change in an attempt to upscale the VACB model.

Keywords: transformative social learning; agricultural transformation; sustainability; climate change adaptation; VACB model; Vietnam Mekong Delta (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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