Abstract
Vietnam is one of the largest shrimp exporters in the world. Since 2010, Vietnam has earned about two billion dollars annually through shrimp exports. As a fertile area of greatest potential for agricultural production in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta has been a major contributor to the country’s achievements, especially in the agricultural sector. During recent decades, trade liberation along with various policies in support of aquaculture has accelerated the development of shrimp production in the Delta. Based on an ethnographic study of shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, I assert that along with great rewards arising from the expansion of shrimp farming areas, productivity, and export value, the shrimp industry has brought various environmental, economic and social challenges. Consequently, shrimp farming is a risky business and local inhabitants have relied on various strategies to cope with these challenges. Risk mitigation in shrimp production and labor migration are the two important strategies of local inhabitants for securing their livelihoods. Water pollution and poor quality post-larvae shrimp are direct consequences of market-oriented production.
Highlights
As a fertile delta having the greatest potential for agricultural production in Vietnam, in the context of increasing integration into the global market, the Mekong Delta has contributed greatly to the achievement of Vietnam’s agricultural outputs
Shrimp production has emerged as one important livelihood in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
In the context of a sharp increase in shrimp farming area and the number of households engaging in this industry, I carry out this research to examine how this kind of livelihood affects the region and in the context of present practices of shrimp farming whether this is a sustainable livelihood for farmers
Summary
Shrimp production has emerged as one important livelihood in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. It promises to bring great rewards to farmers who have shifted from rice cultivation to shrimp farming. In the context of a sharp increase in shrimp farming area and the number of households engaging in this industry, I carry out this research to examine how this kind of livelihood affects the region and in the context of present practices of shrimp farming whether this is a sustainable livelihood for farmers
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