Assessment of the livelihood sustainability of rice farmers in the upper floodplains of the Vietnamese Mekong delta

Abstract

Rural areas and rural livelihoods in many countries have been affected by changes in natural and environmental conditions. In areas where livelihoods relied on the floodwater, changes in flood regimes and the natural environment had significantly impacted many farmers' livelihoods. In the Mekong Delta flooded areas, flood patterns changed mainly due to the hydropower development and the climate change. The livelihoods of many farmers, primarily rice farmers, were facing challenges and needed changes to adapt to the sustainable livelihood development. This study used a sustainable livelihood framework of DFID to assess factors affecting the sustainability in agricultural livelihoods in flooded areas of An Giang province, specifically at Phu Hiep and Phu Long communes of Phu Tan district. We interviewed 60 farmers based on the structured questionnaire and conducted two focus group discussions with more than 40 participating farmers. Our results of the Livelihood Capitals Index (LCI) showed that natural and physical capitals had less impact on household livelihoods. Phu Long is less affected than Phu Hiep by assessing five capitals. Farm households' current livelihoods were mainly affected by the lack of human resources and the unstability of market prices. The rate of consensus on transition to sustainable farming models was not high due to many factors. However, the transition is possible if their production and output are secured by the government.