Multi-Scale Drivers of Land-Use Changes at Farm Level II: Application of Conceptual Framework in the Salinity Intrusion Zone of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta and Cross-Case Comparison with the Highly Flooded Zone

Abstract

Frequent drought and worsening salinity intrusion challenge future land uses and livelihoods in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The central government is, therefore, formulating a new strategy premised on adaption to natural environmental dynamics. For an achievable strategy that bridges the gap between plans and practice, it is important to understand what drives land-use changes at the farm level. Previous research developed and applied a multi-scale drivers framework in the highly flooded zone of the delta. The current study uses that same framework to investigate the land-use history and drivers of change in the salinity intrusion zone of this delta from 1975 to 2016. We interviewed 32 farmers in Tra Vinh Province and used transcript analysis to quantify the influence of the drivers that the farmers mentioned. We then compared the drivers of land-use change with those found earlier in the highly flooded zone. Results show more diversification of land uses and land-use changes in the salinity intrusion zone. Farmers here followed three main pathways: rice intensification, integrated farming of rice and vegetables/aquaculture, or intensive shrimp farming. Land-use changes were conditional on the regional infrastructure construction to preserve freshwater conditions. However, household-scale drivers, especially natural and financial assets, were most frequently mentioned. Socio-economic context also emerged as an important driver, particularly trends and pressures from the community and markets.