Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Livelihoods: a Study of Farming Systems in Northern Vietnam

Ing. Marie Phamová

Disertační práce

Abstract:

From 1995, Vietnam started setting new safety standards for agricultural products to deal with environmental problems and health issues resulting from the intensification of farming methods and increasing awareness of food safety. This research aims to characterize the typical current farming systems, analyse the linkages between farming systems (conventional, Safe and organic) and livelihood, and identify the determinant factors in adopting ecological farming practices (composting technology and eliminating use of agrochemicals) in sub-urban areas of Hanoi. Data collection involved a survey based on a structured questionnaire, key informants’ interviews, and focus group discussions conducted in 2015 with a sample size of 312 respondents. Three forms of farming systems: conventional, Safe, and organic were identified. A multiple linear regression model was applied to identify factors that affect cash incomes from agricultural activities. A logistics binary regression was employed to determine factors influencing the adoption of compost and willingness to decrease chemical pesticide use on farms. This research found a direct correlation between the ecological factor of farming systems and respondents’ cash income from agricultural activities. Additionally, the amount of family labour and respondents’ level of education and farm experience appeared to positively influence cash incomes from agriculture. On the other hand, farm size and membership in farmers’ associations were identified as the major factors that negatively affect agricultural cash income in the study areas. Available information was the most determining factor for the adoption of composting techniques. Willingness to decrease the use of chemical pesticides directly correlated with respondents’ level of education. Collective action played an important role in improving household livelihood of respondents who practicing organic farming system.

Keywords

conventional farming system, Safe farming system, organic farming system, compost, pesticide, urban agriculture, collective action

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 12. 5. 2022

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: prof. Ing. Jan Banout, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Lukáš Zagata, Ph.D., doc. Mgr. Ing., Tomáš Ratinger, externi, Tereza Němečková, Bc., externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Doktorský studijní program / obor / specializace:
Zemědělská specializace / Sustainable Rural Development in TS / Zemědělská technika