| Abstract | Vietnam turns to a new stage of it socio-economic development with a rapid growing
economy since the economic reform process started in the agricultural sector in early
1980s and accelerated since 1989 (ADB, 2000). However, in analyzing the farm household
economy in the Midlands, there are certain important questions of what socio-economic
status of the farm household is, how the production systems operate, what the farmer's
perception is, how they participate in the supporting systems to faim development, and
what measures needed to accelerate the farm development process. Addressing these
issues, the research covers the socio-economic status of the farm households, the analysis
of the farm production systems, the farmer's perception and participation in the supporting
systems, and the factors influencing the farm household development as well as the
recommended measures for farm development.
The study was conducted in the two communes locating in the lowland and upland regions
of the Midlands district of Doan Hung, Phu Tho province in the North of Vietnam.
Findings from this study showed that the farm households in the two regions had different
farming practices, and occupational structure. The upland farmers maintained crop-based
farming in a relative extensive manner, while the lowland farmers cultivated more
intensively with emphasis on rice farming, livestock rearing, and heading for off-farm
occupations. Consequently, the lowland farmers obtained higher annual income than those
in the uplands.
Among the crop enterprises, even though farmers in the lowland, especially the high
income ones, produced higher gross margin but less cost-efficiency than those in the
upland, especially the low income farmers. In contrast, among the livestock enterprises, the
lowland farmers, especially the medium and high income ones produced higher gross
margin and cost-efficiency than those in the upland.
Under economic liberalization, the farmers participated actively in the supporting systems,
but the farmers in the upland still had less access to the market. However, the credit
system, extension program, and farmer's organizations continuously played an important
role in accelerating farm development.
The study also identified various factors influencing farm household development
including those belonging to the socio-economic status of farm households, the farm
production systems and the supporting systems to farm development.
A strategy for farm development was recommended for the study area to apply during the
next decade. This is due to the fact that agriculture and rural sector are still the core sector
for development. This needs to place in the high development priority, as it is crucial for
poverty eradication. The proposed strategy should be the basis for the development at faim
household level for optimization of farm production, improvement of household earning
capacity, and strengthening capacity of the supporting systems to farm development as a
whole. |