Can a Short Food Supply Chain Create Sustainable Benefits for Small Farmers in Developing Countries? An Exploratory Study of Vietnam

Thi Nga Bui, An Ha Nguyen, Thi Thu Huong Le, Nguyen Van Phuong, Thi Thanh Hao Le, Thi Thanh Huyen Tran, Ngoc Mai Nguyen, Thi Kim Oanh Le, Thi Kim Oanh Nguyen, Thi Thu Trang Nguyen, Hong Van Dao, Thi Ngoc Thuy Doan, Thi Hang Nga Vu, Viet Hung Bui, Huu Cuong Hoa and Philippe Lebailly
Additional contact information
Thi Nga Bui: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
An Ha Nguyen: Institute for European Studies-Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Thu Huong Le: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Nguyen Van Phuong: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Thanh Hao Le: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Thanh Huyen Tran: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Ngoc Mai Nguyen: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Kim Oanh Le: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Kim Oanh Nguyen: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Thu Trang Nguyen: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Hong Van Dao: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Ngoc Thuy Doan: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thi Hang Nga Vu: Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Viet Hung Bui: Institute for European Studies-Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Huu Cuong Hoa: Institute for European Studies-Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Philippe Lebailly: Economics & Rural Development, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: A number of studies have indicated that short food supply chains could create economic, social, and environmental benefits, but most of those chains were implemented in developed countries. This research aims to find out the characteristics of short food supply chains and their benefits to small farmers in Vietnam, which is a developing country, based on the survey results from 338 small farmers in the third quarter of 2020, with the support of Stata 14 software. The results showed that the short food supply chains in the survey sample in Vietnam were characterized by two main actors: small farmers and distributors. Farmers could sell products flexibly at the local market. There was some initial evidence to prove that these chains helped to stabilize the input, output price, and revenue; formulated sustainable income; and increased the satisfaction and confidence of farmers. They eliminated gender discrimination in rural areas and improved livelihood for ethnic minorities. These chains also enhanced the mindset on green, organic, and clean production of farmers, which in turn created environmental benefits. COVID-19 has posed a negative impact on the income of farmers and made them change their production and sales method. Therefore, the research could suggest some policies to sustainably develop the short food supply chains in Vietnam in the future.

Keywords: sustainable development; short food supply chains; impact of Covid-19; developing countries; small farmers; local market; Vietnam (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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