Mekong River Delta Agricultural Mechanization Development: Case Study in Vinh Long Province, Viet Nam

Abstract

Agricultural mechanization is an essential path to the industrialization of rural regions. Viet Nam has more than 40% of the population in the agriculture sector, contributing nearly 30% of the country’s GDP and still is an agricultural country. Mekong River Delta (MRD) is the most significant agriculture production region of Viet Nam in which Vinh Long is one of sample province might be representative for MRD. This paper presents case study of recent status of mechanization in agriculture, and some recommendations for development the agricultural mechanization in the province. The statistical methods, SWOT analysis, problem approach and practical research have been used. The results indicate that the ratio of agricultural mechanization in Vinh Long might be not to satisfaction to the development of agriculture production. The agricultural field using walking tractors and shoulder engines, investment and financial policies, skill and training level of farmers and agricultural infrastructure such as rural transportation system, irrigation system, and agricultural production industrial processing are the main factors strongly influence on the development of agricultural mechanization in Vinh Long. Some studies proposed recommendations as solutions for sustainable development of the agricultural mechanization are presented in this study, such as agricultural production needs to be reorganized; developing system for training high quality and skill people to work in mechanization process; increase investments in science and technology for agricultural mechanization; setting up the policies to attract businesses and individuals invest in developing mechanization; removing blockages on "agricultural land limit" policy; and creating financial policies supporting to agricultural production investors.