What drives the adoption of integrated shrimp mangrove aquaculture in Vietnam?

The development of shrimp farming in Vietnam has eroded the social-ecological resilience of the coastal ecosystem. Recent literature supports the idea that integrated mangrove-shrimp production systems can contribute to rebuilding this resilience in the Mekong Delta. Two experts panels, international and Vietnamese, were consulted to validate and weight drivers identified from literature that enable or constraint farmers to shift from extensive production system to integrated mangrove-shrimp system or to continue such integrated system. Though a combination of drivers is needed to enhance changes, two sets of drivers were given the highest weight. Experts considered the ecosystem function of the mangrove an enabling driver pushing farmers to plant mangrove in order to improve the pond's water quality and limit disease outbreaks. They perceived the drivers related to the current regulatory framework as constraining because these limit the financial return associated with integrated mangrove-shrimp systems. The analysis indicates that the adoption of these integrated systems requires more equitable distribution of benefits from shrimp and timber production between farmers and other stakeholder in these value chains. We recommend to develop a regulatory framework that can optimize the financial benefits of the integrated mangrove-shrimp production systems for farmers.