InsightsVietnamVietnam’s Smallholder Farms: Insights and Opportunities in 2023

Vietnam’s Smallholder Farms: Insights and Opportunities in 2023

Vietnam’s agricultural landscape presents a tapestry of traditional practices and evolving dynamics, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and its stride towards modernization. As a nation predominantly reliant on agriculture, Vietnam has carved a niche for itself as a significant player in the global agricultural market, particularly noted for its rice, coffee, and an array of other staple and cash crops. The backbone of this sector is its smallholder farmers, who, despite operating on relatively modest scales, contribute substantially to the country’s food security and economic growth. In recent years, Vietnam’s farming practices have been at a crossroads of traditional methods and modern techniques, with an increasing focus on sustainability and efficiency to meet both domestic and international demands. This intersection of the past and the future makes Vietnam’s agricultural sector a fascinating subject of study, especially in the context of the challenges and opportunities it faces in 2023.

Vietnam’s smallholder farm profile is a reflection of its remarkable progress in agriculture and the significant role of small-scale farmers in the country’s economy:

  1. Number of Small-Scale Farmers: Vietnam’s rice production, primarily dominated by small-scale farmers, involves about 65% of households engaging in rice cultivation on areas less than 0.5 hectare[1][2].
  2. Average Size of Small-Scale Farm: The average size of small-scale farms in Vietnam, especially for rice production, is less than 0.5 hectare, much smaller than the FAO’s average size of 2 hectares[1][2].
  3. Percentage of Labor Force in Agriculture: As of 2012, agriculture accounted for about 47% of Vietnam’s total employment, highlighting a significant portion of the labor force engaged in the agricultural sector[3].
  4. Average Annual Income for Smallholder Farmers: The average income for rural households, including many smallholder farmers, was about USD 857 per household per year in 2012[4].
  5. Largest Farmers Association: The Vietnam Farmers’ Association is a key organization supporting and honoring farmers, organizing events like the “Proud of Vietnamese Farmers” program[5][6][7].
  6. Main Crops Grown by Small-Scale Farmers: Small-scale farmers primarily engage in wetland rice farming, and the VAC system, integrating food gardening, fish rearing, and animal husbandry, is prevalent[8][9].
  7. High-Value Crops for Small-Scale Farming: The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam focuses on supporting smallholders in producing vegetables, along with rice, bananas, and corn, for supermarket sales[10][11].
  8. Additional Metrics on Vietnam’s Agricultural Industry: In 2022, Vietnam’s agricultural sector grew by 3.36 percent, benefiting from ODA and FDI. Government policies offer incentives to agricultural enterprises, and the sector faces challenges from global trade, climate change, and labor shifts[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].

Footnote References:

[1] https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2132
[2] https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2133
[3] https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2134
[4] https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2135
[5] https://vietnamnews.vn/press-release/1294045/event-to-honour-100-outstanding-farmers-63-typical-agricultural-cooperatives.html
[6] https://www.vietnam.vn/will-honor-100-excellent-farmers-and-63-typical-agricultural-cooperatives-in-2023-3048.html
[7] https://thuvienpc.com/list-of-100-excellent-farmers-in-vietnam-in-2023/
[8] https://asianfarmers.org/intensive-small-scale-farming-in-vietnam/
[9] https://www.syngentafoundation.org/vietnam
[10] https://www.syngentafoundation.org/vietnam
[11] https://www.syngentafoundation.org/vietnam
[12] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/
[13] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/
[14] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/
[15] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/
[16] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/
[17] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/
[18] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/
[19] https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnams-agricultural-sector-a-quick-guide-for-2023.html/

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