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Household Livelihood Diversification as A Result of the High Modernism

Development Project: A Case of Can Tho Bridge in Vinh Long

Province, Vietnam

Student: Tran Thi Ngoc Trinh

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OUTLINEOUTLINE

I. I. Introduction and Theoretical Introduction and Theoretical PerspectivesPerspectives

II.II. Methodology and Case StudyMethodology and Case Study

III.III. Household Livelihood DiversificationHousehold Livelihood Diversification

IV. IV. ConclusionsConclusions

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

The strategy of Vietnamese governmentThe strategy of Vietnamese government is to is to develop the Mekong Delta, the largest rice and develop the Mekong Delta, the largest rice and agricultural product region of the nation to improve agricultural product region of the nation to improve people’s living standard.people’s living standard.

To achieve this goal, the government has been To achieve this goal, the government has been concentrating to develop Can Tho city as concentrating to develop Can Tho city as the the center of economics, culture, center of economics, culture, politics, technology,politics, technology, trade, service, tourismtrade, service, tourism of of the MD and the Southern the MD and the Southern part of Vietnam.part of Vietnam.

The State has focused on developing infrastructure systems, in which constructing Can Tho Bridge and constructing Can Tho Bridge and upgrading National Highway No.1 have been top upgrading National Highway No.1 have been top priority project to connect the MD with other parts priority project to connect the MD with other parts of country. of country.

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Model of Can Tho Bridge

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The Can Tho Bridge construction is primarily set The Can Tho Bridge construction is primarily set within developing plan of the State which is within developing plan of the State which is instituted to expand and improve the national instituted to expand and improve the national infrastructure systems that was seen as a crucial infrastructure systems that was seen as a crucial plan for modernization and industrialization and plan for modernization and industrialization and the pride of the MD people.the pride of the MD people.

However, the Bridge construction has displaced However, the Bridge construction has displaced many households in this area. A large number of many households in this area. A large number of farmers have lost land and have to move to farmers have lost land and have to move to resettlement areas.resettlement areas.

670 households and 206 hectares of agricultural 670 households and 206 hectares of agricultural land of three villages including My Hoa, Dong Binh, land of three villages including My Hoa, Dong Binh, and Thuan An have been taken over due to the and Thuan An have been taken over due to the building of the approach road on Vinh Long side.building of the approach road on Vinh Long side.

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In this paper, I would like to study how the farmers In this paper, I would like to study how the farmers can survive and use their assets to create new can survive and use their assets to create new livelihood strategies and diversify their livelihood to livelihood strategies and diversify their livelihood to cope with changes in the new environment.cope with changes in the new environment.

The study was explored on a group of farmers The study was explored on a group of farmers (about 30 households) living around the bridge (about 30 households) living around the bridge construction area in My Hoa village. construction area in My Hoa village.

The construction has disrupted life of 73 The construction has disrupted life of 73 households and taken out 124 hectares of households and taken out 124 hectares of agricultural land in there.agricultural land in there.

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THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVESTHEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

1. High modernist ideology of development1. High modernist ideology of development Scott (1998) points out that high modernism is a Scott (1998) points out that high modernism is a

particularly sweeping vision of how the benefits of particularly sweeping vision of how the benefits of technical and scientific progress might be applied in technical and scientific progress might be applied in every field of human activity. every field of human activity.

Leaders of developing states believe that the Leaders of developing states believe that the application of modernization will improve human application of modernization will improve human living activities, particularly, the idea that living activities, particularly, the idea that transportation will aid in the economic development transportation will aid in the economic development process of the country. process of the country.

They would like to manage nature and society by They would like to manage nature and society by imagining a sweeping, rational engineering of all imagining a sweeping, rational engineering of all aspects of social life in order to improve the human aspects of social life in order to improve the human condition. condition.

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2. 2. Household Livelihood Diversification Household Livelihood Diversification

Theoretical standpoint is to study livelihood Theoretical standpoint is to study livelihood diversification of the local people in My Hoa village diversification of the local people in My Hoa village based on the works of Sen (1984), especially on based on the works of Sen (1984), especially on the role that “endowment” and “entitlement” play the role that “endowment” and “entitlement” play in providing opportunities for local people to in providing opportunities for local people to achieve their livelihoods and well-being. achieve their livelihoods and well-being.

It is also based on the importance of what they It is also based on the importance of what they term “vital capital” (natural, physical, financial, term “vital capital” (natural, physical, financial, human, social capital) in the everyday livelihood human, social capital) in the everyday livelihood struggles of local people (Blaikie struggles of local people (Blaikie et al.et al., 1994; , 1994; Chambers, 1995; Chambers and Conway, 1992). Chambers, 1995; Chambers and Conway, 1992).

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Sen argues that endowments of assets including Sen argues that endowments of assets including human and social capital are the basis for capabilities human and social capital are the basis for capabilities which provide the chances for livelihood achievement. which provide the chances for livelihood achievement.

From his analysis, each family has a series of From his analysis, each family has a series of entitlements made possible by endowments that entitlements made possible by endowments that determine the capability of the family to obtain its determine the capability of the family to obtain its livelihood. livelihood.

I employ Sen’s theoretical perspective to examine how I employ Sen’s theoretical perspective to examine how different people in My Hoa village derive entitlements different people in My Hoa village derive entitlements from their endowments which in turn provide from their endowments which in turn provide capabilities in their struggles for everyday livelihoods.capabilities in their struggles for everyday livelihoods.

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Transportation Development Project

(Can Tho Bridge Construction)

High Modernism Ideology of Development

Changes in Household Livelihood Diversification

Entitlements

EndowmentsEndowments

1. Natural Capital1. Natural Capital- LandLand- Fruit gardenFruit garden- Water- Water

2. Physical Capital2. Physical Capital- HouseHouse- FurnitureFurniture- Livestock - Livestock - JewelryJewelry- Equipment Equipment - Machinery- Machinery

3. Financial 3. Financial CapitalCapital- Money- Money- Loan- Loan- CreditCredit

4. Human Capital4. Human Capital- Labor- Labor- Skill- Skill- ExperienceExperience- KnowledgeKnowledge- Creativity- Creativity- Inventiveness- Inventiveness

5. Social Capital5. Social Capital- Rules - Rules - Norms - Norms - Obligations- Obligations- ReciprocityReciprocity relations relations - Social- Social structuresstructures

Conceptual Framework

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METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY

1. 1. The secondary data was collected from local The secondary data was collected from local administration authorities and official.administration authorities and official.

2. Fieldwork Data Collection2. Fieldwork Data Collection- Household Survey - Household Survey - Participant Observation- Participant Observation- Key information interview and group discussion- Key information interview and group discussion

3. Data Analysis and Interpretation3. Data Analysis and Interpretation- Collected data was presented under tables - Collected data was presented under tables

and narrative forms. The analysis focused on the and narrative forms. The analysis focused on the ways that are chosen by farmers to cope with ways that are chosen by farmers to cope with changes in the live environment from daily changes in the live environment from daily livelihood practices. livelihood practices.

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CASE STUDYCASE STUDY

1. Research Site: My Hoa1. Research Site: My Hoa VillageVillage - My Hoa is an isolated village of Binh Minh - My Hoa is an isolated village of Binh Minh

district, Vinh Long province.district, Vinh Long province.- It is about 30 km far from the capital of Vinh - It is about 30 km far from the capital of Vinh

Long province, and 175 km from Ho Chi Minh city to Long province, and 175 km from Ho Chi Minh city to the south and 5 km from Can Tho city. the south and 5 km from Can Tho city.

- The village is separated by the three main - The village is separated by the three main rivers named Dong Binh, Tac Tu Hai, and Hau rivers. rivers named Dong Binh, Tac Tu Hai, and Hau rivers.

- Total natural area: 2,342.42 ha, including - Total natural area: 2,342.42 ha, including 52.40% agricultural land, 46.65% for non-farm land, 52.40% agricultural land, 46.65% for non-farm land, and 0.95% of unused land. and 0.95% of unused land.

- 84% worked in agricultural sector and 16% - 84% worked in agricultural sector and 16% engaged in non-agricultural activities.engaged in non-agricultural activities.

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MY THUAN BRIDGE

CAN THO BRIDGE

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CAN THO BRIDGE

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2. 2. Household Livelihood Activities Household Livelihood Activities before Can Tho Bridge Constructionbefore Can Tho Bridge Construction

Household CharacteristicsHousehold Characteristics

Household’s classification

Average age of HH head

(years)

Average of farmland size (ha)

Average of household size

(members)

Average laborers per household

Poor (< 0.3 ha)

39 0.28 4.6 2.0

Medium(0.3 – 0.7 ha)

45 0.52 5.8 3.4

Better-off(> 0.7 ha)

55 0.94 6.0 4.0

Total 46.3 0.58 5.5 3.02

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Before CTB construction, the farmers’ Before CTB construction, the farmers’ livelihood was mainly based on double-rice livelihood was mainly based on double-rice crops, vegetable cultivation, orchards, and crops, vegetable cultivation, orchards, and husbandry.husbandry.

Home-garden also played an important role in Home-garden also played an important role in each household because it could not only each household because it could not only supplement farmers’ income, utilize household supplement farmers’ income, utilize household labors but also create fresh atmosphere and labors but also create fresh atmosphere and nice landscape for rural area. nice landscape for rural area.

Although, farmers work very hard in their field, Although, farmers work very hard in their field, they earn little money supporting their daily they earn little money supporting their daily need. need.

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Farmers have shifted gradually from rice cultivation Farmers have shifted gradually from rice cultivation to orchard particularly pomelo garden to increase to orchard particularly pomelo garden to increase their income. their income.

In brief, household incomes were generated from In brief, household incomes were generated from different and varied sources depending on the different and varied sources depending on the income-earning opportunities open to each income-earning opportunities open to each individual or household. The main source of income individual or household. The main source of income was agriculture, involving crops, fruit trees and was agriculture, involving crops, fruit trees and vegetables, and livestock sales in local market. vegetables, and livestock sales in local market.

Other sources of household income were from Other sources of household income were from waged labor, petty trading, fishing, and waged labor, petty trading, fishing, and government employment. However, farming still government employment. However, farming still remained the most important activity, which was remained the most important activity, which was combined with all the other activities mentioned.combined with all the other activities mentioned.

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3. Household Livelihood Activities 3. Household Livelihood Activities during Can Tho Bridge Constructionduring Can Tho Bridge Construction

Since 1999, with appearance of Can Tho Bridge project Since 1999, with appearance of Can Tho Bridge project local livelihoods have significantly changed from on-farm local livelihoods have significantly changed from on-farm activities to non-farm activities as they lost land. The local activities to non-farm activities as they lost land. The local household strategies became more diversified and dynamic household strategies became more diversified and dynamic due to compensation money that was paid by the due to compensation money that was paid by the government for taking over local people’s land for the government for taking over local people’s land for the project. project.

Before constructing CT Bridge, farmland has been the most Before constructing CT Bridge, farmland has been the most important natural capital of farmers’ livelihood. Under important natural capital of farmers’ livelihood. Under appearing of the Bridge, land has still been the crucial appearing of the Bridge, land has still been the crucial capital, however a part of land has been changed to capital, however a part of land has been changed to financial capital via compensation policy of the financial capital via compensation policy of the government.government.

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Livelihood diversification are shaped by a broad Livelihood diversification are shaped by a broad range of economic, political and social factors, and range of economic, political and social factors, and varied remarkably from economic necessity and varied remarkably from economic necessity and the alternatives such as a way to further the alternatives such as a way to further investment, savings and accumulation.investment, savings and accumulation.

In order to achieve food security for household, In order to achieve food security for household, farmers have different livelihood strategies to cope farmers have different livelihood strategies to cope with changes in the new circumstance.The level of with changes in the new circumstance.The level of assets owned by each household and individual has assets owned by each household and individual has a great influence on the livelihood strategies.a great influence on the livelihood strategies.

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The changing of household livelihood before The changing of household livelihood before and during Can Tho Bridge constructionand during Can Tho Bridge construction

Household Activities

1998 2006

Poor HHs

Medium HHs

Better-off HHs

Poor HHsMedium

HHsBetter-off

HHs

1. On-farm (1,000 VND)

7,981 20,409 57,670 4,850 18,830 48,600

Contribution to HHs’ income

43.1 % 74.5 % 78.6 % 17.5 % 50.6 % 71.6 %

2. Non-farm(1,000 VND)

10,544 6,968 15,700 22,850 18,385 18,300

Contribution to HHs’ income (%) 46.9 % 25.5 % 21.4 % 82.5 % 49.4 % 28.4 %

Total income(1,000 VND)

18,525 27,377 73,370 27,700 37,215 66,900

Total Expenditure 10,900 12,672 19,331 16,510 15,840 33,671

Savings(1,000 VND)

7,625 14,705 56,860 11,190 21,375 33,229

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The diversification of household activities The diversification of household activities illustrates a clear picture in which local people illustrates a clear picture in which local people engaged more in non-farm activities, although a engaged more in non-farm activities, although a high proportion of households still depended on high proportion of households still depended on agricultural activities for their livelihood. agricultural activities for their livelihood.

The most common economic activities undertaken The most common economic activities undertaken by households were wage-labor in the Can Tho by households were wage-labor in the Can Tho bridge construction and trading activities in the bridge construction and trading activities in the majority households. majority households.

The different livelihood activities before and during The different livelihood activities before and during the bridge construction appear to be common, as the bridge construction appear to be common, as younger generations are likely to move from on-younger generations are likely to move from on-farm to non-farm activities.farm to non-farm activities.

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It is interesting to note that three types of It is interesting to note that three types of household have considerable proportions in both household have considerable proportions in both on-farm and non-farm activities. Diversification of on-farm and non-farm activities. Diversification of non-farm activities included wage-labor in non-farm activities included wage-labor in agriculture, working of the Can Tho bridge agriculture, working of the Can Tho bridge construction project, and running small business construction project, and running small business with various activities such as coffee shops, rice with various activities such as coffee shops, rice shops, sundry, vender, shops, barbers shops, shops, sundry, vender, shops, barbers shops, boarding houses, motorbike taxis and so on. boarding houses, motorbike taxis and so on.

The transition from on-farm activities to non-farm The transition from on-farm activities to non-farm activities occurred significantly in which the activities occurred significantly in which the contribution of non-farm activities in the total contribution of non-farm activities in the total household’s income increased. household’s income increased.

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In order to cope with problems, farmers have used their In order to cope with problems, farmers have used their available assets to overcome obstacles in life and, available assets to overcome obstacles in life and, therefore, these household assets have also been altered therefore, these household assets have also been altered concomitantly. concomitantly.

A number of households transferred their capitals from A number of households transferred their capitals from their land, the natural capital considered to be the most their land, the natural capital considered to be the most important means of household livelihood, into the important means of household livelihood, into the financial capital. financial capital.

The level of assets owned by each household and The level of assets owned by each household and individual has a great influence on the livelihood individual has a great influence on the livelihood strategies. The human capability to deal with stress is strategies. The human capability to deal with stress is different in each situation. Each person has different different in each situation. Each person has different capabilities to solve their own problem in specific cases. capabilities to solve their own problem in specific cases.

The household’s capability to cope with stress also The household’s capability to cope with stress also depends on the house location and the human assets.depends on the house location and the human assets.

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CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

The life of farmers have had significant changes The life of farmers have had significant changes since the CT Bridge construction in 1998. The since the CT Bridge construction in 1998. The appearance of Can Tho Bridge has created a new appearance of Can Tho Bridge has created a new labor market for local people and changed in labor market for local people and changed in livelihood diversification of My Hoa’s farmers. livelihood diversification of My Hoa’s farmers.

Household livelihood is more diversify and dynamic Household livelihood is more diversify and dynamic based on difference of household endowments. based on difference of household endowments. Particularly, cash compensation becomes the main Particularly, cash compensation becomes the main capital for farmers to diversify their livelihood.capital for farmers to diversify their livelihood.

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Household livelihood diversification has also Household livelihood diversification has also based on combining of on-farm and non-farm based on combining of on-farm and non-farm activities, in which social relationship is activities, in which social relationship is considered as a key role in the process to cope considered as a key role in the process to cope with the changes of the new situation.with the changes of the new situation.

The individuals’ capability and household’s The individuals’ capability and household’s location have decided the success of household in location have decided the success of household in the process of coping with changes in the the process of coping with changes in the development project. development project.

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Thank for your Thank for your attention!attention!