Challenges to Rural Poverty Reduction in Viet Nam - Oxfam Blogs
Challenges to Rural Poverty Reduction in Viet Nam - Oxfam Blogs
Challenges to Rural Poverty Reduction in Viet Nam - Oxfam Blogs
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Participa<strong>to</strong>ry poverty moni<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> rural communities <strong>in</strong> <strong>Viet</strong> <strong>Nam</strong><br />
40<br />
Local authorities have undertaken some measures <strong>to</strong> overcome those problems, but<br />
their effectiveness was limited.<br />
Risks associated with unstable agricultural production<br />
Increas<strong>in</strong>g pressure on the land has led <strong>to</strong> shorter fallow periods <strong>in</strong> upland<br />
fields and decl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g soil fertility. Drought and last<strong>in</strong>g heavy ra<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> mounta<strong>in</strong>ous<br />
communes (Luong M<strong>in</strong>h-Nghe An, Xy-Quang Tri, Phuoc Dai, and Phuoc Thanh-N<strong>in</strong>h<br />
Thuan) has further degenerated upland land. In communes close <strong>to</strong> river estuaries<br />
(Thuan Hoa-Tra V<strong>in</strong>h), drought has resulted <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>creased salt water <strong>in</strong>filtration. Improper<br />
agricultural farm<strong>in</strong>g has also affected soil fertility. In Xy commune, Quang Tri cassava<br />
farmers have not <strong>in</strong>vested <strong>in</strong> fertilizer s<strong>in</strong>ce 2003. In some lowland communes (Thanh<br />
Xuong-Dien Bien, Cu Hue-Dak Lak, and Thuan Hoa-Tra V<strong>in</strong>h) farmers have overused<br />
chemical fertilizers and pesticides.<br />
Attempts have been made <strong>to</strong> improve soil quality such as the provision of bio- fertilizer<br />
for cassava (Xy-Quang Tri) and tea (Ban Lien-Lao Cai); and the <strong>in</strong>troduction of compost<strong>in</strong>g<br />
techniques (Cu Hue-Dak Lak). However, farmers have found such <strong>in</strong>itiatives costly <strong>in</strong><br />
terms of time, money and resources and they have yet <strong>to</strong> prove successful.<br />
Unstable market price makes production unsusta<strong>in</strong>able. Many farmers <strong>in</strong>troduce<br />
new crops <strong>to</strong>o quickly <strong>in</strong> response <strong>to</strong> chang<strong>in</strong>g prices. In Cu Hue-Dak Lak, for example,<br />
<strong>in</strong> the early 2000s when the price of coffee fell farmers replaced coffee trees with corn,<br />
vegetables and subsidiary crops. When prices recovered farmers expanded coffee<br />
production, often on unsuitable land. Prawn farm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Thuan Hoa-Tra V<strong>in</strong>h without<br />
sufficient plann<strong>in</strong>g and farm<strong>in</strong>g techniques, is an example of the difficulties farmers face<br />
when they respond rapidly <strong>to</strong> price changes (Box 1.8).<br />
BOX 1.8. Unstable rice-prawn model <strong>in</strong> Thuan Hoa commune<br />
Thuan Hoa commune (Cau Ngang, Tra V<strong>in</strong>h) is located on a river estuary close <strong>to</strong> the<br />
sea. Every year, part of its farmland is <strong>in</strong>filtrated with salt water dur<strong>in</strong>g the dry season.<br />
The commune began tiger prawn farm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 2004.<br />
In 2008, 278 households <strong>in</strong> the commune farmed tiger-prawns. However, high<br />
feed and low sale prices meant many households made losses and ceased farm<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
In 2009, there were only 105 farms. Only the wealthier households were able <strong>to</strong><br />
cont<strong>in</strong>ue farm<strong>in</strong>g. However, <strong>in</strong> 2009 the price of tiger prawns rose <strong>to</strong> double the<br />
2008 price, and, <strong>in</strong> 2010, the number of farms <strong>in</strong>creased. However, cold weather and<br />
<strong>in</strong>sufficient water sal<strong>in</strong>ity meant 87 households made losses. Most did not resume<br />
farm<strong>in</strong>g. Cont<strong>in</strong>ued high prices <strong>in</strong> 2011 brought the number of prawn farmers <strong>to</strong> 320<br />
households.<br />
Many local people and officials th<strong>in</strong>k that the prawn-rice model <strong>in</strong> Thuan Hoa commune<br />
is unsusta<strong>in</strong>able for the follow<strong>in</strong>g reasons:<br />
• Poor farm<strong>in</strong>g techniques. Most farmers rely on their own experiences and<br />
word of mouth.<br />
• Ineffective disease control. Farmers use a common water source fed<br />
directly from the canal <strong>to</strong> their farms without filter<strong>in</strong>g tanks, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the<br />
spread of diseases such as white spots, red body and black gills.<br />
• Fluctuat<strong>in</strong>g prices. High feed prices <strong>in</strong> 2010 and 2011 prevented many<br />
households from <strong>in</strong>vest<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> their farms. Some households secured high<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest loans from feed agents.<br />
• Limited access <strong>to</strong> credit. Bank<strong>in</strong>g credit controls <strong>in</strong> 2011 meant many<br />
farmer households lacked capital.<br />
• Adverse weather. Drought, heavy ra<strong>in</strong>s, and abnormal temperatures meant it<br />
was difficult <strong>to</strong> control water sal<strong>in</strong>ity, which can easily kill young prawns.