International Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Vol 1, No 2 (2017)

Impact of Saline Intrusion on Social and Economic Livelihoods of Farmers in the Vietnam Mekong Delta

Van Huynh Thanh Pham (An Giang University, Long Xuyen City, An Giang province, Vietnam)
Rudi Febriamansyah (Universitas Andalas, Kampus Unand Limau Manis, Padang 25163, West Sumatera)
Afrizal Afrizal (Universitas Andalas, Kampus Unand Limau Manis, Padang 25163, West Sumatera)
Thong Anh Tran (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Jun 2017

Abstract

One of the effects of global climate change is the increasing sea level, which has resulted in higher intrusion of sea water to the mainland in the Mekong Delta region in Vietnam. This study specifically explores the impact of saline intrusion on the socio-economic life of farmers in this region. A socioeconomic survey was carried out in two provinces in the eastern and western regions of the Delta, namely the Kien Giang province in the West and the Tra Vinh Province in the East which represented two regions, each of which experienced different levels of saline intrusion. Data collection methods include secondary data collection, focused group discussions, expert interviews, key informant interviews and 280 household questionnaire surveys. Technically, saline intrusion has changed the farming system from rice culture to shrimp culture at both sides of the Delta. Because of the need for investment in shrimp culture, a group of farming communities with large capital quickly took the opportunity to move to intensive shrimp culture. Meanwhile, other groups of farmers who lack of capital, are only able to carry out traditional rice-shrimp culture by digging around their paddy field for shrimp pond, with lower economic outcomes from their rice and shrimp production. Weak social organizations in the community, making the impact of saline intrusion is only beneficial for a few groups of people.

Copyrights © 2017






Journal Info

Abbrev

ijac

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences is an open access journal published by the Graduate Program of Andalas University. IJASC publishes original research findings from throughout the world related to strategic and applied studies in all aspects of agricultural science, as well as reviews ...