Impacts of hydropower on farmers’ livelihoods in the Sre Pok River in Vietnam:
A case study of the Buon Tua Srah hydropower
Project
By Chau Thi Minh Long, MSc
The Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science and Technology Institute (WASI)
2
Rationale & background Serepok, a largest river lying in the south of the
Central Highlands of Vietnam has a great potential for hydropower. There are 6 hydroelectric plants constructed in the river.
The Buon Tua Srah hydropower project was constructed on the Srepok River in Vietnam and has significantly impacted farmers in Krong No district, especially in Đuc Xuyen and NamN’Dir communes.
However, there is little information available on the livelihood impacts.
The study is very necessary.
3
Research questions What is the status of socio-economic and
environment of the research site?
What are the impacts of farmers’ livelihoods around hydroelectric plants, especially the poor?
What are solutions for improving farmers’ livelihoods around hydroelectric plants?
4
Research objectives Overall Objective:
To understand the impacts of the Buon Tua Srah hydropower project on farmers’ livelihoods.
Specific Objectives: To review socio-economic and environment status in
the research site; To analyze the impacts of river damming on farmers’
livelihoods around hydropower, especially the poor; To recommend solutions for socio – economic
development of the location; To strengthen research capacity for young researchers
especially for female researchers.
5
Scope of the study
Two communes named Duc Xuyen and NamN’Dir representative for analyzing the impacts of hydropower on farmers’ livelihood in Krong No District, Daknong Province, Vietnam
The impacts will be focused on social, economic and environmental aspects but not on the scientific ecological analysis. For example, bank erosion status is measured based on locals’ subjective assessment.
The accuracy of the study will depend upon primary data collected.
6
Criteria for Selection:
Duc Xuyen and NamD’Nir communes are located in the downstream of Krongno river, one of main tributary of the Sre Pok River.
People migrant from other provinces of Vietnam and most of them are ethnic minority moving from the north of Vietnam.
These communes often get impacts from flooding and bank erosion of the river due to letting out water of the Buon Tua Srah hydropower.
Study area
7
Location of Location of Dak Nong Province, Dak Nong Province, VietnamVietnam
Daknong province
8
9
Sampling methodKrong No
District
Duc Xuyen
Commune
Nam D ‘Nir Commune
Households
1. Purposive
2. Purposive
4. Sample Random Sampling
3.Purposive Influenced Households in two communes
10
Sample size N.z2.p.(1-p) n = ----------------- (Mial, 1993) N.d2+z2.p.(1-p) where; n: sample size N: Total Population z: Statistic value corresponding to
confident level d: Precision p: Proportion of sample population
(Total 90 households)
11
Data sources and collectionSecondary data- Dak Nong Agriculture and Rural Development Department; - Dak Nong Environment and Resources Department; - Dak Nong Flooding and Disaster Preventing Department; - District People’s Committee;- Commune People’s Committee, Statistical Year Book,
Article, Books, Journals, etc.
Primary data- House hold survey using questionnaire
- Key informants interview - Field observation - Group discussion
- PRA- SWOT analysis.
12
Work plan
Activities Jul Aug Sep OctNo
v Dec JanFeb
Mar
Apr
May Jun
Collect secondary data
Reconnaissance survey
Field observation & PRA
Interviewing key informants & constructing questionare
Househod survey
Data processing & data analysis
Writing report
13
Achievements
14
Completing secondary data collection
- Reports related to hydropower and river damming from related offices
- Journals, papers, etc.
15
Reconnaissance survey
- Coming to the project areas;
- Meeting with local government of Duc Xuyen and NamN’Dir communes.
16
Field Observation
Getting directly information in the project areas in dry and rainy seasons.
17
Field observation
18
Field observation
19
Field observation
20
Interviewing Key Informants
Local government of Duc xuyen and Nam N’dir;
Village headmen in the two communes;
Directors of DakNong Agriculture and Rural Development Department, Krong No People’s Committee, DakNong environment and resources Department, Flooding and Disaster Preventing Division, ect.
21
Constructing Household Questionnaire
Social – demographic data; Land use; + Land information + Agricultural land affected by the Buon Tua Srah
hydropower project Bank erosion; Household strategies to cope with these problems; Comparison of living condition between before and after
construction of the Buon Tuh Sarh hydropower project; Sharing information among the Buon Tur Sarh managers, local
governments and residents in the project areas; Suggestions of interviewees.
22
Household survey
Completing households survey:
- 57 effected households in Duc Xuyen commune
- 43 effected households in Nam’NDir commune.
23
Initial findings
Lost of fish due to decrease fish quantity and fish species
Difficulties of fishing Lost of Agricultural land Lost of crop yield due to flood Resettlement Famers are vulnerable especially the poor.
24
Impacts
Environment:
Bank erosion
Flooding Biodiversity Sediment
Socio: ResettlementEmploymentBalance dietFood security
Economy:Decrease crop yieldLost of agriculture landLost of crop yieldLost of fish
25
Plans for next period
Jan – Mar 2007: Data processing and data analysis
April – July 2007: Finalize the results and write the report.
26