Toward Sustainable Agriculture: An Evaluation of Mechanization Practices in Small-Scale Paddy Farming in the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

This study evaluates mechanization practices in small-scale paddy farming in the Mekong River Delta, following several years of government policies and programs promoting mechanization. Primary data was collected from 1,170 farming households in Hau Giang, Kien Giang, An Giang, and Dong Thap provinces. The mechanization status was assessed based on four key criteria, and mechanization levels were quantified using a cost-based Mechanization Index (MI). The results show high mechanization rates (over 90%) in land preparation, irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting; however, adoption rates were lower in transplanting or sowing (41.2%) and transportation (15.7%). Furthermore, machinery investment has stagnated since 2016, reflecting limited farmer interest in acquiring additional equipment. Advanced mechanization techniques remain experimental as traditional labor-intensive methods continue to dominate farming practices. The calculated MI indicated that 64 percent of households fall into a very low mechanization category. These findings reveal significant limitations of current agricultural policies and underline the need for multidisciplinary and systematic interventions, particularly through the development of self-propelled spreaders, drone sprayers, enhanced linkages between combine harvesters and transportation vehicles, and training on skilled agricultural labor.