Exploring Distressed Cashew-Nut Farmland Rentals Among Ethnic Groups in Binh Phuoc Province, Vietnam
22/12/21 09:00AM
Toai Nguyen, Susan Lawler, and Warren Paul. Rural Sociology, 2021.
Abstract:
Abstract Remote communities alleviate economic hardship by renting
their crops to others, and these transactions are often informal and
exploitative. Because farmland is an important income source for rural
areas, understanding the participation in distress rentals of cashew-nut
farms is critical for sustainable development. Previous studies have
highlighted relationships between socioeconomic factors and
participation in land rentals but have failed to examine distress
rentals under ethnic contexts. In this study, we interviewed 121
villagers to examine socioeconomic determinants of the participation in
distress rentals of farmers with regard to their indigenous culture in
two communes in Binh Phuoc province. We found that ethnic identity,
land-ownership, informal training in agriculture, family size, and
proximity to markets are statistically significant in explaining the
likelihood to participate in distress rentals. Based on these findings,
we make several recommendations for how local governments can create
better policies to ensure social justice.