Climate smart agriculture in the mekong delta english Khí hậu Nông nghiệp tiên tiến vùng Đồng Bằng Sông Cửu Long

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE IN THE MEKONG DELTA Options for the future of agriculture in the coastal zone of the Mekong Delta Table of Contents Introduction 10 1.1 Context and objective 10 1.2 Main activities 10 Climate change impacts in the coastal zone 12 Current and future production systems 17 3.1 General observations from field visits 17 3.2 Field survey 20 3.3 Alternative agricultural production systems 23 3.3.1 Assessing production systems on the basis of a cost-benefit-analysis 23 3.3.2 Characteristics of top-performing production models 26 Overcoming adoption barriers 30 4.1 Adopting barriers 30 4.2 Overcoming adoption barriers 33 4.2.1 Improving costs and logistics of establishing and ensuring future economic success of alternative production systems (adoption barrier 1) 33 4.2.2 Improving availability and quality of technical support, information and advice (adoption barrier 2) 36 4.2.3 Improving primary producer linkages with markets and relevant market stakeholders (adoption barrier 3) 38 4.2.4 Overcoming the lack of primary producer influence in the marketplace (adoption barrier 4) 40 4.3 Summary of main recommendations on how to overcome adoption barriers 46 Cu Lao Dung 48 5.1 General information 48 5.2 Field survey 50 5.3 Major constraints in production systems in Cu Lao Dung 50 5.4 Farmers response to current and new agricultural production systems in Cu Lao Dung 54 5.5 Proposed production systems for Cu Lao Dung 56 5.6 The MD-ICRSL Project 58 5.6.1 Project idea 58 5.6.2 Addressing adoption barriers – recommendations for Cu Lao Dung 59 5.7 Conclusion 62 List of Tables Table 1: Trend of soil feature changes in the Mekong Delta during the past 30 years 14 Table 2: Districts of four study provinces that are in three ecological zones 21 Table 3: 47 Criteria for rating the production systems 24 Table 4: Overall performance of the 17 production systems against seven key criteria 25 Table 5: Ranking of alternative production systems according to water zones 26 Table 6: Ranking of alternative production systems according to DARDs 26 Table 7: Characteristics of different shrimp production models 27 Table 8: Measures to overcome adoption barriers 46 Table 9: Area per agricultural production model in 2015 in Cu Lao Dung district 49 Table 10: Cropping systems suggested by the study team for Cu Lao Dung 56 List of Figures Figure 1: Literacy rate in Vietnam and the Mekong Delta by gender 15 Figure 2: Ethnicity in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang Provinces in 2014 16 Figure 3: Aquaculture production in Vietnam and the Mekong Delta 1995-2013 18 Figure 4: Most important adoption barrier when converting to new production system, as indicated by farmers (%) 30 Figure 5: Educational status of respondents 50 Figure 6: Current challenges for agricultural production in Cu Lao Dung, as stated by interviewed farmers (%) 51 Figure 7: Farmers' response to alternative agricultural production systems (PS) in Cu Lao Dung 54 Figure 8: Farmers' suggestions to improve agricultural production in Cu Lao Dung 55 Figure 9: Proposed MARD / World Bank project for Cu Lao Dung 59 List of Abbreviations BCR Benefit-cost-ration CBA Cost-benefit-analysis DARD Department of Rural Development and Agriculture GDP Gross Domestic Product GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Ha Hectares ICMP Integrated Coastal Management Programme IRRI International Rice Research Institute MARD Ministry of Rural Development and Agriculture MD-ICRSL Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project MIS Market Information System USD United States Dollar Executive Summary The study “Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Mekong Delta” was conducted from January to September 2016 and focused on the coastal zone (up to 30 kilometres inland) of four coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta, namely Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang Due to its location and geographic features, the coastal provinces of the delta are particularly vulnerable to climate change influences Associated problems include rising sea levels, salinity intrusion, periodic flooding and drought, disruption in the annual supply of silts due to dam-building and increased irrigation off-take along the course of the river as it flows from south east China through Laos, Thailand and Cambodia before it enters the extreme southern provinces of Vietnam The overall objective of the study was to evaluate the potential of alternative agricultural production systems to replace rice as the main cash crop in the region This evaluation is necessary in light of changing conditions which mitigate against the growing of rice at its current level In some locations rice growing will no longer be possible Each production system’s potential was assessed on the basis of its financial viability To this was added assessments of alternative production systems against five other key criteria – technical, environmental, social, economic, political; all of which need to be taken into account to arrive at a listing of production system options of what can be recommended to farmers who are ready, willing and able to adopt one or more of them on their farms The methodology used by the study was based on a detailed survey of 190 selected respondent farmers and communes in the four selected coastal provinces This was conducted based on detailed questionnaires which were developed by the study team to extract relevant information about current and alternative production systems that have potential to provide farm families in the region with a viable income under expected changing circumstances arising from climate change The resultant field work was complemented by comprehensive desk studies of relevant literature and reports from other initiatives targeted on the region under the auspices of national and international agencies From this and the follow-up assessments emerged a priority listing of the most likely alternative production systems that show the best potential to replace current ones (mainly rice) The five as most suitable rated alternative (to mono-cropping rice) production systems are: Shrimp-rice rotation; semi-intensive shrimp production; mangrove aquaculture; doublerice rotation and livestock-based systems (poultry, pigs etc.) in this order Not all of these five systems are similarly suitable for the three zones of fresh water, brackish water and salt water On the whole, 17 systems were evaluated and others than the five mentioned above can be taken into consideration if one looks at only one specific zone The report then reviews the main adoption barriers that have to be overcome by farmers in the region if they want to switch production systems, which is especially relevant for the many thousands of smallholders who depend on their land holdings for their livelihoods as they face what are for them critical decisions which will have far-reaching impacts both for themselves and the economy of the region Adoption barriers are categorized under four broad headings: • The cost involved in changing from current to new alternative production systems, which have to be considered in tandem with difficulties most farmers have in accessing affordable credit to help them effect successful transition • Establishing alternative production systems requires learning new technologies and practices, as well as acquiring new skills Providing farmer access to information and training, and having adequate supports available from extension and other sources is a considerable challenge that has to be addressed to ensure that significant investment in infrastructure ultimately converts into increased and stable income for farmers • The ultimate test of success will be how well farmers who transition to alternative production systems succeed in placing products in the market In doing this, new producers can expect to have to compete with existing producers and suppliers who are likely to have established comparative advantage Thus it will be necessary for new producers to produce to the highest standards and to be as competitive as possible from the very beginning • This will be helped by primary producers becoming better connected and more engaged with their markets and with final consumers Their objective must be to exert more control over their own destinies This is likely to require them to form alliances not just with other producers, but also with other market stakeholders (processors and market operators) thereby developing their businesses to the mutual benefit of all stakeholders The report makes recommendations under each heading Section deals with recommendations on how change can be supported in terms of funding and management of the process The role, availability and capacity of extension services (both public and private) as agencies providing support to change to and establish new production systems is included in this Section considers the learning and adoption process involved in successfully changing from current to new production systems This includes the adoption of new relevant technology and practices which brings the role of extension, education and adaptive research into sharp focus Section deals with market engagement and the crucial role of the market for ensuring that new production coming from newly adopted production systems is successfully and competitively sold in the market, thereby protecting and enhancing primary producer livelihoods into the future Section discusses and makes recommendations on ways and means for primary producers, as the weakest and most vulnerable player in the market place, to successfully engage with each other and with other market stakeholders in a way that gives them an appropriate share of control and influence in the marketplace in order to help them defend their economic interests in a fair and equitable way Primary producers need to come together to cooperate with a view to increase their presence and influence in the marketplace against other stakeholder groups who are much better positioned to wield more influence due to their economic power There are a number of ways of doing this; cooperatives being possibly the most obvious There are others, such as forming business partnerships with specific service providers, clustering around specific processing facilities with a view to increase markets and assuring required production levels and value of specific commodities, to the benefit of all concerned Under each of the foregoing, recommendations are included for developing and making available capacity building programmes which target each of the stakeholder elements that make up the market paradigm – producer, processors, market operators and service providers Here as well, the need for extension and other relevant service providers to adapt to the new realities and challenges of climate change is a critical issue that needs to be incorporated into a complete capacity building programme for all key stakeholders in the sector Finally, the document goes on to discuss possible solutions and recommendations to work in tandem with the World Bank-funded “Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project” (MD-ICRSL) This project has been approved by the Government of Vietnam in April 2016 and outlines significant planned investments in infrastructure (roads, communications, water control, irrigation, etc.) which are designed to address identified issues arising from climate change in the region Specifically, planned sea defence and infrastructural investment in order to support agricultural transition in Cu Lao Dung (which is an island and a district of Soc Trang province) is an immediate target for this programme The study makes specific commentary and recommendations on the situation of Cu Lao Dung, located in the vulnerable delta estuary The island is a microcosm for the coastal region demonstrating many of the relevant issues facing the overall delta region These include salinity intrusion and the risk that rising sea levels pose to fresh water supplies across the region, as well as addressing the issue of mangrove forest protection and the role this has to play in the overall approach to mitigating the impact of climate change Cu Lao Dung is therefore a useful testing ground which has been chosen by the World Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to immediately implement a coherent protection and development programme as indicated in the feasibility study of the MD-ICRSL project Planning also envisages developing the eco-tourism potential of the island as a unique location in the delta region Introduction 1.1 Context and objective This study is part of a series of studies carried out under the Integrated Coastal Management Programme (ICMP), which is funded by the governments of Germany, Australia and Vietnam, and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) The study “Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Mekong Delta” is under the responsibility of GFA, assigned by GIZ, in collaboration with the line agency and local counterpart organisation, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), which provides coordination with other projects being conducted by other interested agencies like World Bank and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) The overall objective of this study is to identify financially attractive, resilient and sustainable agricultural production systems in the coastal zone (up to 30 kilometres inwards) of the Mekong Delta which could constitute alternatives to and improvement of the current ricedominated systems in the delta and which have positive impacts on poverty and rural livelihoods Thereby, the study informs the transformation to more productive and climatesmart livelihood systems as envisaged by the Mekong Delta Plan Hence, the study would inform the design and implementation of relevant development programs, such as the Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Program supported by the World Bank The study should also inform the broader agricultural development agenda, including the MARD-led agricultural restructuring of the Mekong Delta and the Mekong Delta Climate Resilience Initiative (MECRI) The study addresses the following key issues and questions: • How are the current common agricultural production systems, which are focusing mainly on rice, affected by changing environmental (and socio-economic) conditions (e.g sea level rise, flooding, salinity intrusion, droughts) in the coastal zone of the delta? • What are the 4-5 most promising alternative production systems which account more explicitly for the changing environmental and socio-economic conditions? • What are likely adoption barriers for these identified alternative production systems and how could they be overcome? • What type of capacity building measures are needed to facilitate the transformation to more sustainable production systems? • What measures would be needed to facilitate an integration of smallholder farmers into the value chain (and what could be the role of the public vis-à-vis the private sector)? 1.2 Main activities Phases and (January – May 2016) The study started in January 2016 with the kick-off of the first phase, including a mission of the team leader to Vietnam Based on the inception report, phase of the study started in 10 5.2 Field survey 22 farmers on Cu Lao Dung were interviewed between March and May 2016 in the course of the field study The objective of the study was to learn more about perceived barriers to adopt new production models Over one third of the correspondents were under the age of 35, which is the highest percentage of this age group across the four coastal provinces The survey indicates that availability of labour is perceived as an inhibiting factor on the island This seems to relate to the availability of seasonal labour during peak periods; labour which is not needed at other times Such labour demand is met in other parts of the delta by groups of workers who move around the delta region in response to seasonal demand Due to its isolation and island status, Cu Lao Dung may not be so well positioned to attract such workers compared to other districts The results of the study indicate that farmers on the island have a very high level of illiteracy (23%), which may be an indication that many people may be excluded from accessing employment opportunities outside of agriculture and/or outside of the island Figure 5: Educational status of respondents Educational status 4% illiterate 23% Primary 36% Secondary High 23% Above High 14% The number of family members per household ranges from two to nine, with an average of 4.27 members per household The number of persons employed per household ranges from zero to four, with an average of 2.32 persons per family 5.3 Major constraints in production systems in Cu Lao Dung The field survey asked farmers what they considered to be the main constraints in their farming The responses indicate that the difficulties in agricultural production of farmers in Cu Lao Dung are significant 50 Most farmers perceive themselves to have a number of problems with current production systems, as shown in the following figure Figure 6: Current challenges for agricultural production in Cu Lao Dung, as stated by interviewed farmers (%) 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Land use Disease / Irrigation Market Technical Input disaster access issues supply Labour Access to credit All farmers interviewed quoted problems with land use Land use is a serious issue in an ecosystem which calls for producers to change production systems which may require significant investment in long term measures to facilitate change Security of tenure/land use as well as land use conditions are essential if farmers are considering decisions requiring investment which have long term implications for themselves and their families 91% of farmers face difficulties with pests and natural disasters Cu Lao Dung is subject to severe pressure from wind and rain, especially during peak tidal periods which can increase the damage done by water inundation The climate and high humidity also pose high risk from disease and pests, which adds to the cost burden to be planned in within many production systems This goes along with the increasing need to follow environmentally friendly practices in the use and application of chemicals such as fertilizer, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides The Mekong Delta is a particularly fragile ecosystem which calls for a high level of care and responsibility on the part of producers This is a vital issue for DARD in providing advisory services to producers 86% of farmers face difficulties with the irrigation and water system Water and its control are vital issues in a region where aquaculture is an increasingly important production system It is also an important factor which requires a high degree of collaboration between producers sharing their location and how they are serviced by water 51 courses, canals, sluice gates etc This will call for workable forms of cooperation such as consultation to ensure that agreed workable schedules etc can be put in place The availability of fresh water is also a major concern Due to salinity intrusion, the supply of fresh water in the future is very much at risk, with many fearing the island could potentially have a much reduced or no fresh water supply of its own at some point in the future This concern about the critical position of fresh water was articulated by farmers and officials met on the island It is also indicated in recent reports from projects operating on the island The formation of water user associations, based on the member-initiated and membermanaged cooperative model outlined above, may have a positive role to play in developing an appropriate and equitable approach to efficient use of this resource between conflicting demands in the various water zones – as well as mitigating, as far as possible, adverse effect on the fresh water resource which is currently under threat 72% of farmers indicate difficulties marketing their products This problem is consistent with farmer experience elsewhere in the delta which is further exacerbated by the relative isolation of the island due to its location Upgrading the island’s infrastructure (bridge, roads, power and communications network) will also help producers move their products into markets All goods and services coming into and going out of the island currently depend on the relatively small scale ferries and other water transport This adds cost and significant logistical difficulty to the conduct of normal business between the island and its hinterland Thus, business could focus on specialized crops and on organic production based on a promoted image of Cu Lao Dung as a source of eco-friendly and organic products This would require monitoring and certification systems to be put in place to underline the credibility of Cu Lao Dung as an organic producer Care needs to be taken with regard to the establishment of a viable market for organic products Extensively cultivated shrimp from the island’s mangrove areas would seem to have potential to be marketed as high value ecologically “clean” products which have potential to command premium prices on export markets that are already established customers for Vietnamese aquacultural products Over 70% complain about the selling process and fluctuating prices This is a common problem with relatively “new” procedures for bringing “new” production to the market Added production coming into the market always brings with it the risk of creating surplus and over-supply which have the effect of collapsing prices for all producers – existing as well as new This requires provincial planners to be aware of the impact of new producers being added to the supply base and to engage with producers, DARD and other relevant stakeholders to deal with and hopefully anticipate this potential risk An important consideration is to ensure that anticipated new production matches what is already on the market from current sources – in other words that it will be competitive (if not superior) in terms of quality, price, stability of supply etc., to what is already being supplied Cu Lao Dung has well recognized features and attributes which might be useful in according products coming from there with competitive advantages which the market will appreciate 52 and be prepared to pay for In this case, it behaves producers and their processing and market operator stakeholders to ensure that the markets are made aware of these features so that full advantage will be gotten It also indicates possible potential for exploring scope for exploiting organic production coming from the unique Cu Lao Dung ecosystem 60% of farmers face difficulties procuring inputs – fertilizers, pesticides, seeds etc The relative isolation of Cu Lao Dung as an island puts added emphasis on this issue The logistics involved in moving required materials from the mainland adds cost The island depends on a number of ferries which bring vehicles back and forth from the mainland Every item required has to travel by this means While future planning indicates the construction of a bridge to link the island with the mainland, which will much to mitigate these, the current situation will continue for some time The road, power and communication infrastructure of the island is also in need of significant investment for upgrading Almost 60% of farmers face difficulties with production technologies This is especially true for learning and applying new technology which puts pressure on the available DARD extension service that will need much support (personnel, resources, capacity building) to meet future challenges arising from farmers as they adapt to new circumstances arising from climate change More than 50 % of farmers perceive themselves to have difficulty finding labour (especially seasonal labour) due to shortage of local labour There is a relatively low level of mechanization on farms on the island, in which case investment by farmers in farm mechanization and improved technology would be a possible answer to reduce reliance on labour, especially in peak seasons, as labour might be hard to access as needed More than 50% of farmers have difficulty accessing affordable credit Farmers perceive themselves to have difficulty finding affordable bank credit This is a major problem Credit is simply too expensive (almost 12% annually) and is not of long enough duration (three years maximum, but more generally available for the season – up to one year) to justify applying it to production system change; especially to aquaculture, which is expensive to establish and needs possibly a minimum of five years to repay In the survey made by the study team during the field, the following observations were made: • Farmer lack capital due to low income • If a farmer can access credit he is most likely to invest in establishing or enlarging shrimp cultivation gradually Shrimp is seen as the most successful production system • A second investment possibility is to build water pumping stations and irrigation systems to grow upland crops and underground water supply for every household While state policy supports farmers, poorly resourced farmers face considerable difficulty in accessing credit due to: 53 • Lack of capacity to borrow; • Lack of land certificate to provide sufficient collateral; • Complex credit procedures (not so well supported by DARD who would not have resources to deal with many applications if they were forthcoming); • Unaffordability of available credit packages 5.4 Farmers response to current and new agricultural production systems in Cu Lao Dung The field study assessed the response of farmers in relation to their satisfaction with current agricultural production systems The question was posed in the context of climate change events, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, as well as severe shortage of fresh water of which Cu Lao Dung has recent experience at the time of survey in March and April 2016 Results showed that 50% of farmers are (temporarily at least) still satisfied with their current production systems Going into detail, many indicate they are satisfied with the current production system simply because they really don’t have enough knowledge or practical experience of any other For this reason, a large percentage (77%) actually has no idea what they should about changing to alternative systems to meet changing conditions that most know are coming Some of these respondents are included in the 40% of farmers who want to convert to other systems but really don’t know where to begin, or how to proceed Note: The survey indicates that farmers on Cu Lao Dung appear to be more ready to change their production system than are their colleagues on the mainland This could well be a reflection of their increased vulnerability on the island to climate change influences such as seasonal flooding, sea level rise etc.; which brings climate change issues home to islanders in a very real way, much faster than elsewhere Figure 7: Farmers' response to alternative agricultural production systems (PS) in Cu Lao Dung 100 80 60 40 20 Satisfied with Prepared to One rice crop Annual crops current PS move to another PS 54 Logan No idea Figure 8: Farmers' suggestions to improve agricultural production in Cu Lao Dung 60 54,5 50 40,9 40 31,8 31,8 31,8 30 20 13,6 9,1 10 9,1 4,5 4,5 Supporting initiatives designed to benefit from planned and future developments The ecosystem in Cu Lao Dung is possibly one of the most dynamic in the Mekong Delta region due to its location in the estuary where the river meets the sea The elevation (0.5 metre and less above sea level) leaves the island very vulnerable to rising sea levels, flooding, salination intrusion, lack of fresh water etc The impact of climate change is happening relatively faster here than in other locations which means that the island’s farmers need to adapt faster to what is happening This means that the island, as a small discrete area, which is isolated from its surrounding hinterland, can be representative of and provide an early testing ground for reduced scale initiatives targeted on mitigating the impacts of climate change, before they are rolled out on a wider regional and ultimately national level Climate change events on the island can be seen as early warning of similar developments in the wider coastal region in later years Significant infrastructural investments (such as the USD 40 million World Bank package) are planned to combat aspects of climate change which can be mitigated to a greater and lesser degree Planning also includes corresponding investment in capacity building and other supports that need to be addressed These support measures provide an opportunity for other players to engage in this process which will ensure that investment made in infrastructural measures will help farmers to take 55 full advantage of the conditions being created by the initial infrastructural investment, by modifying what they are doing on their farms to benefit from them 5.5 Proposed production systems for Cu Lao Dung As suggested by the Soc Trang DARD and extension service, the future focus of agriculture on Cu Lau Dung lies on five systems of agriculture (shrimp, sugarcane, perennial crops, livestock and fish) plus eco-tourism This last is based on the existing system of mangroves which are planned to be expanded, maintained and protected DARD in Soc Trang is inclined to the view that mangrove plantations should not be further used for extensive shrimp production Their fear is that farmers using mangroves for extensive shrimp will be tempted to cut back more than they should on existing plantations, some of which are thin enough already Also they foresee difficulty in monitoring and policing plantations, feeling it is much simpler (and ultimately more effective) to ban the practice altogether in certain critical locations Planned expansion of perennial fruit trees is being put forward by the local authority as a focus for development of local fruits This is seen as working hand in hand with the development of eco-tourism to the island These choices are broadly in line with the findings of the project field study as these apply to the island The addition of eco-tourism is interesting and may be based on the pilot status of much of what is envisaged for Cu Lao Dung, as a demonstration unit for the wider delta region Developing the agri-production sector, as envisaged, along with a vibrant eco-tourism sector, will require investment in infrastructure as indicated in the planning This includes: widening of the main artery roads for transport, upgrading of power supply, communications and ferry connections, construction of dykes and flood control mechanisms, along with upgrading of irrigation and water control measures Longer term planning envisages the eventual construction of a bridge to connect the island with the mainland In relation to production, projects for the period 2011-2020 envisage investment in infrastructure for aquaculture (shrimp and fish) Based on the field survey and follow-up visits and discussions with stakeholders, the following table outlines the project team’s view of possible production systems which are likely to feature in Cu Loa Dung in the foreseeable future Table 10: Cropping systems suggested by the study team for Cu Lao Dung N0 PRODUCTION SYSTEMS NOTE Shrimp (intensive shrimp) Based on VietGAP standard Perennial fruit crops (such as grapefruit and mango) Suitable in the fresh water zone; can be combined with eco-tourism Un-submerged crops Need to be developed in line with market demand Sugarcane Suitable in the fresh water zone in a much reduced area 56 Shrimp: With increasing salinity, aquaculture and especially shrimp farming will be the most suitable future production model for Cu Lao Dung Provincial and district government support development of shrimp based on the VietGAP standard Perennial fruit crops are very suitable and can support eco-tourism Products include grapefruit, mango and longan Un-submerged crops rotation (such as maize and beans) is very suitable in Cu Lao Dung and can be extended Sugarcane has the problem that it gives very low income to farmers It has, however, a long tradition in Cu Lao Dung It will not thrive in salt or brackish zones so will be confined to the fresh water zone, where, if successfully grown, it has high productivity and is of very high quality Government planning may want to maintain some level of sugarcane in a much reduced area Thus, it may likely still feature, to a much lesser extent, as a system in Cu Lao Dung 57 5.6 The MD-ICRSL Project 5.6.1 Project idea In the context of the MD-ICRSL project, World Bank is committed to a USD 40 million investment programme in Cu Lao Dung in Soc Trang province over the next few years The objective is to address climate related problems on the island which is less than metre above sea level and is already facing serious climate change related issues The allocation of the overall World Bank funding is indicated as USD 30 million on infrastructural work and USD 10 million on support investment which is focused on production system change to help farmers adapt to their changing environment arising from climate change; and consequent changes in their markets The indicated funding is divided between: • • Direct investment in infrastructure (USD 30 million) Supporting investment in capacity building and services o Capacity building targeted on stakeholders (USD million) Policy making Extension services (DARD and other stakeholder extension services) Information dissemination o Market development (USD million) Value chain development Producer-led market initiatives (cooperative and other market led business structures led by and engaging with market stakeholders) Diversification - adding value to primary production Note: The proportionality of allocating funding (3:1) between direct infrastructural (75%) and supporting (25%) investment is probably a good indication and guideline for all such climate change investment in the wider coastal and delta regions The project envisages for agriculture: In Zone (Mangrove area) – planting 350 of production forest where managed cockle farming can be conducted in line with the model that has been adopted for production and forest protection In Zone (Brackish water) – continue to develop forest shrimp in 500 along with 200 river fish farming and 3,500 bio shrimp farming This will be done via 12 production groups In Zone (water changes under influence of season from fresh to salty) – farmers need to be flexible in their farm production In Zone (fresh water) – likelihood of salt water intrusion increasing as time goes on Here the project sees the establishment of eco-tourism as having potential for development as a mean of ensuring livelihoods into the future Overall measures to control spring flooding by investing in infrastructure (dykes, canals etc.) are foreseen This is supplemented by plans to upgrade and widen the main arterial road that runs north to south through the island 58 Figure 9: Proposed MARD / World Bank project for Cu Lao Dung Source: World Bank 5.6.2 Addressing adoption barriers – recommendations for Cu Lao Dung The study’s survey in the island indicates a worrying degree of unwillingness on the part of farmers to consider change, coupled with a high degree of satisfaction with production systems that will be increasingly impossible as climate change processes continue to impact on the conditions under which they operate Addressing and overcoming adoption barriers can be considered under the same four headings indicated for the four provinces in general: Cost of establishing new production systems, coupled with lack of appropriate means (support funding, credit); Availability of technical information, advice and support to encourage and support change; Market access, i.e primary producer linkages with markets and relevant stakeholders, with implications for prices and income arising, quality issues etc.; Increased market linkage – focusing on the lack of primary producer influence in the marketplace Recommendations to address adoption barrier in Cu Lao Dung Objective: To explore ways and means of putting in place appropriate financial resources to producers as they adapt to climate change Funding: In conjunction with financial institutions already operating on the island, to make available a fund to support farmers prepared to adapt their farms to climate change realities The source of funding can draw on the allocation assigned by World Bank for this purpose which can be supplemented by financial institutions and the Government of Vietnam Tailored credit packages need to be designed to match the requirements of client farmers’ planning to make changes 59 Insurance: Consider the issue of insurance provision with a view to increase the confidence of client farmers as they transition from an old system to a new The objective is to develop an insurance model which can be applied more widely Pilot units: In Cu Lao Dung under the auspices of DARD, to establish a number of groups of farmers (3-4 groups across the island) that will be trained in the development of a financial recording, analysis and farm business planning system – with a view to use these model groups to demonstrate the benefits of this approach for wider replication on the island and beyond Supporting DARD: It is essential that DARD is supported and adequately resourced in the building of this financial planning capacity – firstly within the island’s DARD team, and then more broadly among the farmers they serve The Cu Lao Dung pilots can serve as models for further roll out in Soc Trang and other provinces in establishing a ToT facility within DARD as well as developing a cadre of personnel with farm planning and financial management capacity within the service Recommendations to address adoption barrier in Cu Lao Dung Objective: To upgrade the technical knowledge and know-how of farmers and of their extension advisers as they adapt to new economically sustainable production systems Upgrading technical knowledge: This is to start with the upgrading of the island’s DARD personnel knowledge of alternative production systems and associated environmental issues that are likely to be followed by their farmer clients in the foreseeable future This to be done via targeted full-time and in-service courses organized with appropriate institutes and training facilities that have the capacity to provide this support This should begin with DARD advisers, but quickly target and include farmers, through their communes, and individually insofar as this is possible Support from external interests and projects: Upgrading of knowledge can be supported by interested private companies operating in the sector, as well as by technical assistance initiatives which should as far as possible be encouraged to work in coordination with each other and with DARD to provide farmers with a well-rounded and supportive advisory service Model units: Under the auspices of DARD, establish 3–6 model farms (minimum of one in each ecological zone) on which upgraded technology and practices will be established with a view to demonstrate new relevant technology and practices to other farmers on the island with a view to encourage them to see, learn and adapt as they make changes in their own operations Recommendations to address adoption barrier in Cu Lao Dung Objective: To engage primary producers in the task of forming working linkages with their markets which allows them to be aware of what the market wants and how best to produce and supply in line with market requirements Role of DARD: Increase capacity of the island’s DARD extension service to develop knowledge of market realities and trends with a view to inform and support decision making on farms in relation to alternative production systems to be established which will provide adequate stable income for the foreseeable future Market Information System: In conjunction with the Planning Department and Statistics Office, establish a permanent effective Market Information System (MIS) which is capable of collating, analysing and publishing accurate and timely information relating to trends, prices etc which will be an effective planning instrument for producers, informing their decision making for 60 planting, cultivation and harvesting A pilot MIS on Cu Lao Dung can serve as a pilot model for replication in Soc Trang and other provinces in the Mekong Delta Making linkages with other value chain stakeholders: All efforts should be made to encourage building of relationships between primary producers and other stakeholder elements at local, provincial and national level, with a view to helping them find and develop economically viable markets for their products Cu Lao Dung brand: Where possible and of benefit, use can be made of the island’s image as a source of high quality, ecologically grown products Recommendations to address adoption barrier in Cu Lao Dung Objective – To encourage primary producers to form linkages with each other and with other relevant stakeholders, with a view to identify commercial initiatives they can work on together to further mutually agreed economic goals Measures: Identify economic activities which have potential to return benefit to member producers of groups who come together for the purpose of: • • • • Reducing their costs of operation; Increasing market return for what they have to sell; Provide themselves with needed services in a more cost effective way; Take advantage of the infrastructural investment ongoing and planned Joint working to achieve economic goals: In the process, members of such groups find that by virtue of being members of larger business entities, they are positioned to exert much more control over these elements of their operation than they can as single, isolated individuals Engaging with other stakeholders: Activities which have potential to confer benefit on member primary producers who engage with other producers and/or other market stakeholders to provide themselves with needed goods and services, thereby helping them to better conduct their farm operations Activities and services that are likely to return economic benefit to participants can include: • • • • • Bulk buying, procurement and delivery of needed inputs, thereby allowing members of the group to derive economic benefit from bulk discounts, group handling and simpler administration of related transactions; Procurement of required services related to their operation at negotiated rates for the group – e.g cultivation, planting, spraying, harvesting, transport etc.; Aggregation of products in a way that allows grading and differentiation of pricing in the market, thereby enhancing the economic return to group members; Aggregating product supply from groups of producers provides larger volumes for segmentation by size, taste, colour or other criteria which will allow the market to differentiate and reward; Simple enhancement or improvement of the product before it is offered to the market, such as washing, peeling, packaging by weight etc., which has potential to increase financial returns and income 61 Member-initiated and -controlled: As indicated, these are business groups As such they should be member-initiated – not under or established by any outside influence Once established they should continue to be strictly member-managed and member-controlled The groups should be allowed to make their own rules and to aspire to the status of legal entities which will entitle them to accumulate assets and to legally conduct business on behalf of members, to whom they will continue to be ultimately responsible Engaging with other market stakeholders: Activities can and should include engaging with other market stakeholders in the conduction of member business Where considered of mutual benefit it should be possible to form groups with other elements of the market paradigm, alliances and consortia which returns economic benefit to members Product/service clusters: Over time, product clusters can be formed around the main products being produced by group members on the island – shrimp, fish, vegetables, fruits; or around vital services required by members Groups of producers can work in clusters with a processor and/or market operator who share common objectives for developing the overall market for their product, to the mutual benefit of all concerned Input/services supply clusters: Business clusters can be formed around inputs supply and services needed by both primary producers and other value chain stakeholders Role of government as facilitator: The appropriate role of government and local authorities in relation to these business groups and clusters is to encourage and facilitate their establishment and development (cooperatives and business clusters), and to create a supportive environment within which they can operate 5.7 Conclusion Cu Lao Dung can be regarded as a test case for other areas in the coastal zone of the Mekong Delta which are affected by climate change in general and by salinity intrusion in particular In Cu Lao Dung as in other areas, a transition to aquaculture seems to be the most adequate reaction to a changing environment Fighting for the last hectare of rice in an area that will probably not allow for significant fresh water production in the future cannot be the answer Rather than resisting the forces of nature, it would be recommendable to make use of the opportunities of the transition to a brackish economy And such opportunities are significant Today, the Mekong Delta is annually producing 2.4 million tons of aquaculture products worth about 3.8 billion USD, compared with 6.2 million tons of rice worth 2.7 billion USD The (potential) returns from aquaculture are much higher than the returns from rice production This is the reason why this transition to a brackish economy is already happening in the Mekong Delta today Both authorities and farmers have recognized the opportunities of aquaculture production and are increasingly moving in this direction The challenge will be to organize this process in a way that ensures that the transition leads to a professional, market-driven aquaculture industry that does not significant and irreversible harm to the environment When supporting this process, several factors should be taken into account: Firstly, a transition to aquaculture will be very difficult to turn back After an area has been used for aquaculture production, it is very difficult (although not impossible, as demonstrated by pilot sites of the Integrated Coastal Management Programme) to revive such barren land in order to 62 allow for fresh water based production models This means that land-use choices in the Mekong Delta should be done strategically and as part of a broad consultation process, and not incrementally and coincidentally as the outcome of many individual decisions by farmers, extension workers or lower level DARD staff Secondly, although the transition to a professional aquaculture industry would surely benefit GDP growth in the region, the question is how much employment a highly professionalized aquaculture industry would actually need Might a transition to a high-standard aquaculture industry be good for the economy, but bad for per capita income on a broader level? If jobs should be lost through the professionalization of aquaculture, where former farmers find new employment? Such questions need to be considered when initiating a restructuring of the agricultural economy in the Mekong Delta Such restructuring of the agricultural economy should be based on market principles in order to allow for an efficient allocation of resources and the highest possible returns for farmers The key question is how to transform a government-planned agriculture system to a business-led agriculture system The most important characteristic of such a system would be that it is market-oriented, i.e demand driven Thus, such a system would be able to respond very quickly to market incentives and would thus be able to transform itself if needed, for instance by focusing on different kinds of aquaculture But this transition is easier said than done It is one thing for authorities to allow farmers to transition to aquaculture, and for farmers to then purchase equipment to conduct more simple forms of aquaculture which might not even allow for relevant certification It is much more challenging to develop a professional and high-value agriculture and aquaculture industry, including technical sophistication, credit schemes, widespread and adequate certification and the inclusion of smallholder farmers into the value chain, including the creation of innovative business clusters around certain products – all without doing significant harm to the ecosystem This report gives some suggestions on how some aspects of this transformation could be managed, both in Cu Lao Dung and in other parts of the coastal zone or even the Mekong Delta as a whole The key factor is to not just rely on infrastructure investment, but to employ a combination of infrastructure investment (for instance for irrigation, coastal protection etc.) and capacity building, both for provincial authorities, extension services, research organisations and market stakeholders, from farmers to businesses to cooperatives or more innovative forms of business clusters 63 Imprint Published by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany Integrated Coastal Management Programme (ICMP) Room K1A, No.14 Thuy Khue Road, Tay Ho Hanoi, Viet Nam www.giz.de/viet-nam icmp@giz.de As at January 2017 Text Arthur Russell, Nguyen Thanh Hien, Vu Duy Hoang, Nguyen Thanh, Severin Peters GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication On behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) 64 ... mass in the marketplace, with the possibility of differentiating what they are selling; or benefitting from economies of scale arising from joining their business with others when they approach the. .. constraints in production systems in Cu Lao Dung The field survey asked farmers what they considered to be the main constraints in their farming The responses indicate that the difficulties in agricultural... for the coastal zone were excluded The remaining 17 production systems were than ranked according to their average rating The resulting list, including the five top-performing systems, was then