Title:
Linking Agricultural Policy Phases with Farm Level Transformation Pathways: A Case Study of an Giang Province, Vietnam

Authors:
Tran Van Hieu*, Rudi Febriamansyah, Nguyen Van Kien, Dang Thi Thanh Quynh, Viet Nam

Abstract:

Agricultural transformation in the Mekong Delta has evolved through successive policy phases, yet household-level outcomes remain uneven. This study examines how long-term agricultural policy shifts are translated into distinct transformation pathways at the farm level, using An Giang Province as a case study. A mixed-methods approach integrates qualitative data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with a survey of 272 farm households. Five transformation pathways are analyzed: land-use system change, adoption of ecological practices and Nature-based Solutions (NBS), production and livelihood diversification, smart agriculture and digital technology adoption, and value-chain linkage transformation. Results indicate that transformation unfolds through multiple coexisting pathways rather than a linear trajectory. Digital agriculture and ecological/NBS practices are the most prevalent, whereas land-use conversion and formal value-chain participation remain limited. Chi-square tests show significant associations between livelihood structure, income level, and pathway choice, highlighting the mediating role of household resources. Higher-income and diversified households are more likely to adopt capital-intensive and market-oriented strategies, while rice-dependent and lower-income households implement incremental adjustments. The study conceptualizes agricultural transformation as a differentiated, resource-conditioned process and underscores the need for inclusive and context-sensitive policies to promote sustainable development in delta regions.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijaemr.2026.1206