Agriculture Diversification in the Mekong Delta: Farmers' Motives and Contributions to Livelihoods

Roel H. Bosma (), Cao Quoc Nam (), Henk M.J. Udo (), Johan A.J. Verreth () and Leontine E. Visser ()
Additional contact information
Roel H. Bosma: Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Cao Quoc Nam: Can Tho University, Vietnam
Henk M.J. Udo: Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Johan A.J. Verreth: Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Leontine E. Visser: Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 2005, vol. 2, issue 1&2, 49-66

Abstract: Although specialization is the global trend in agriculture, integrated farming systems have emerged in Vietnam. An important motive was the desire to improve the livelihoods and the diet of the nuclear families; this was evident in the analysis using the household life cycle of five phases. Off-farm diversification was especially important for a new household. At the onset of expansion, the new mothers replaced off-farm with homebound activities. During expansion the farmers increased virtual farm size by keeping more livestock; during accumulation they invested in land or education, and during consolidation old couples adjusted farm activities to their labor capacity. Livestock, including fish, was essential for livelihood. The distribution of goats instead of cattle by credit or by "passing-on-the-gift" was far more effective for poverty alleviation. Technological innovations on the cultivation of rice and fruits, and the breeding of fish were essential for change. The improved food security and reduced cash income from rice after the 1986 reforms pushed farmers to take risks. The farm area and number of component farm activities providing cash determined the level of cash income from agriculture. Farms with at least four flows of biomass between components earned more, demonstrating that real integration improved profits. A minimum area of land in, or close to, the homestead, and know-how are required for an effective integration of components.

Date: 2005
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ajad.searca.org/article?p=25 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sag:seajad:v:2:y:2005:i:1&2:p:49-66

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development from Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Benedict A. Juliano ().