Climate change impacts on rice-based livelihood vulnerability in the lower Vietnamese Mekong Delta: Empirical evidence from Can Tho City and Tra Vinh Province

Dung Duc Tran, Edward Park*, Huynh Thi Ngoc Tuoi, Nguyen Duc Thien, Vo Hong Tu, Pham Thi Anh Ngoc, Can Thu Van, Pham Kim Long, Huu Loc Ho, Chau Nguyen Xuan Quang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper assesses the livelihood vulnerability and adaptive capacity of rice-based farmers in the lower Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) under the impact of climate change and environmental pressures. We interviewed 600 rice farmers in 19 communes spanning six districts of Can Tho City (middle delta) and Tra Vinh Province (coastal delta). For our analyses, we employed the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) framework and the LVI approach of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI–IPCC). Results indicate that both study areas are vulnerable to climate change and environmental pressures, but the potential threat is greater in the coastal province. Farmers there have responded to climate change and environmental pressures by increasing production inputs, scaling up production areas and transforming cropping patterns, though with little investment in new equipment. Yet, their livelihoods from rice cultivation, and agricultural production in general, remain unsustainable under climate change, which is a matter of concern. This study provides empirical evidence of the vulnerability factors that most undermine farmers’ adaptive capacity and livelihood sustainability in the study areas. This will help local authorities in providing timely support to agricultural production management.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102834
JournalEnvironmental Technology and Innovation
Volume28
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Environment
  • Livelihood Vulnerability Index
  • Rice
  • Sustainability
  • Vulnerability

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