Intensification of traditional agricultural practices through aquaculture integration: The Vietnamese example

This thesis discusses the question of agricultural intensification in Vietnam. Given the emghasis on economic development in the "modern" sectors, agriculture is often seen as a remnant of traditionalism that needs to be adapted to Western, highly automated monocropping systems. This thesis argues that given the high employment creation of traditional agriculture compared to automated farming, it would be beneficial for Vietnam if the move from traditional, often subsistence farming to surplus production of cash crops occurred slowly so that efficiency-increase-related reductions in farm labor requirements can be absorbed by off-farm employment in the countryside rather than pushing farmers off the land and into alien surroundings and occupations. Aquaculture, itself a traditional form of farming, can be adapted to increase land productivity within the setting of traditional, sustainable farming. While intensification requires political support and extension, if properly managed it would allow generations of farmers to stay on their land and reduce the country's dependence on rapid development which tends to be dependent on international events out of the control of developing nations.