Gender-Differentiated Impacts of Salinity Intrusion on Agricultural Production and Food Security: A Study in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Agricultural production is a major economic sector in Vietnam, and the Mekong Delta is one of the two main rice-producing regions of the country. Yet, climate change, extreme climate events, and recent salinity intrusion are growing concerns for the delta. It is important to control soil salinity through drainage and water management practices to avoid loss of production. This study investigates the gender-differentiated impacts of salinity intrusion on agricultural production and food security and suggests policy interventions for effective adaptation that can contribute to sustainable livelihoods for local farmers. For the study, we surveyed 430 farm households, including 274 male-headed and 156 female-headed households, in three rice-producing provinces in the delta. The survey data are employed to examine how salinity intrusion has influenced rice production, farmers’ income, farm households’ food expenditure, and their consumption of selected main foods. This study finds that the high yield loss due to salinity leads to a significant reduction of income, food expenditure, and consumption of some main foods. The findings show that training initiatives on salinity intrusion and adaptation have enhanced rice production and incomes of participating farmers. At present, fewer females participate in training. Technical support for farmers, including more effective training initiatives, with flexible schedules, may help to avoid crop loss. Government authorities should also promote research on rice varieties that are well adapted to salinity and local conditions, and these varieties should be introduced in high-saline regions.