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The Emergence of Lotus Farming as an Innovation for Adapting to Climate Change in the Upper Vietnamese Mekong Delta

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  • Hoang Thi Minh Vo

    (Water Resources Management Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
    Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam)

  • Gerardo van Halsema

    (Water Resources Management Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Petra Hellegers

    (Water Resources Management Group, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Andrew Wyatt

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam)

  • Quan Hong Nguyen

    (Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
    Center of Water Management and Climate Change (WACC)—Institute for Environment and Resources, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam)

Abstract

Climate change poses an acute threat to the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). To respond to this threat, the structure of the delta’s agriculture-based economy must transform, becoming more adaptive to changing conditions. One adaptive livelihood option is the use of flood-based farming systems in the upper VMD. The present study examines local perceptions of such a system in Dong Thap Province, a lowland, flood-affected area of the upper VMD. Specifically, we explored lotus farming as a potential flood-based adaptive livelihood model for the region. The study advances the current literature by using historical research, embedded in narrative analysis applying the social construction of technology (SCOT) lens. We collected data through in-depth interviews and field surveys to qualitatively analyze the emergence and status of lotus cultivation in the study area, zooming in on how local society evolved with expansion of this farming model. The findings suggest that as an innovative idea, lotus farming initially emerged due to unfavorable natural conditions, and then was developed as an attractive nature-based livelihood, and thus received increased attention. It has been accepted and modified over time according to the new interests of further stepped-in stakeholders. Our findings echo the social construction of technology perspective as we found lotus farming to be a technological artifact that did not develop on its own, by was driven by different interpretations and re-negotiation process. This made more room for stakeholders to shape and reshape it in a way that fits their interests.

Suggested Citation

  • Hoang Thi Minh Vo & Gerardo van Halsema & Petra Hellegers & Andrew Wyatt & Quan Hong Nguyen, 2021. "The Emergence of Lotus Farming as an Innovation for Adapting to Climate Change in the Upper Vietnamese Mekong Delta," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:4:p:350-:d:527796
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tran, Dung Duc & van Halsema, Gerardo & Hellegers, Petra J.G.J. & Ludwig, Fulco & Seijger, Chris, 2018. "Stakeholders’ assessment of dike-protected and flood-based alternatives from a sustainable livelihood perspective in An Giang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 187-199.
    2. Hoang Thi Minh Vo & Gerardo van Halsema & Chris Seijger & Nhan Kieu Dang & Art Dewulf & Petra Hellegers, 2019. "Political agenda-setting for strategic delta planning in the Mekong Delta: converging or diverging agendas of policy actors and the Mekong Delta Plan?," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(9), pages 1454-1474, July.
    3. Christina Prell, 2009. "Rethinking the Social Construction of Technology through ‘Following the Actors’: A Reappraisal of Technological Frames," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 14(2), pages 36-47, March.
    4. Tran, Thong Anh & Nguyen, Tri Huu & Vo, Thang Tat, 2019. "Adaptation to flood and salinity environments in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: Empirical analysis of farmer-led innovations," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 89-97.
    5. Chris Seijger & Gerardo E. van Halsema & Dorien Korbee, 2019. "A synthesis on strategic delta planning in action: wishful thinking, vested practices and unexpected changes," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(9), pages 1654-1674, July.
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