The livelihood adaptability of households under the impact of climate change in the Mekong Delta
Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies
ISSN: 2044-0839
Article publication date: 12 August 2020
Issue publication date: 12 February 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a deep understanding of rural household livelihoods in the Mekong Delta and to explore how they can cope with climate stressors at the ground level.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs the sustainable livelihood framework at a household and also an individual scale. The general data obtained from a survey of 2,100 households provide an overview of their livelihoods. Qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted, as case studies, to comprehensively assess 100 households in one commune affected by annual floods and an additional 100 households in another commune affected by sea level rises. Livelihood profile analysis is beneficial to identify specific livelihood change patterns that have taken place in these specific cases.
Findings
There are four types of livelihood adaptation to climate stressors: (1) change of structure of agricultural systems, (2) change of employment locations, (3) resettlement with strong impact on livelihoods and (4) out-migration. The household livelihood resources and the local economic structures have significant roles in driving adaptive solutions.
Research limitations/implications
This paper provides detailed profiles of the livelihood change considered as passive adaptation of smallholders in the Mekong Delta.
Originality/value
It contributes to the knowledge of rural households in multiple aspects with regard to how they cope with climate change via reflection on their livelihoods.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article draws from the project titled “Population and Migration in Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta”. We gratefully thanks the Science and Technology Program for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta co-hosted by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the National University of Ho Chi Minh City for the project funding.
Citation
Le, S.T. and Vo, C.D. (2021), "The livelihood adaptability of households under the impact of climate change in the Mekong Delta", Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 7-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-09-2019-0139
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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