In Mekong countries, agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture constitute major sources of earning for the poor and nearly two thirds of the rural population. However, agriculture is highly affected by climate change and extreme weather events, as well as price fluctuations of inputs and outputs. Further, while achievements in agriculture and rural development have contributed significantly to the economy and environmental sustainability of Mekong countries, agricultural production in these countries has negative effects on the environment through pollution and the degradation of the quality of land and water sources. Productivity is reaching a limit, and further research is necessary to address the problems facing agriculture in rural areas.
MDRI contributes valuable input to national policy formulation and implementation by working to raise awareness on the importance of investment in the agricultural sector and rural development as a crucial instrument to eradicate poverty and improve food security. We demonstrate this by emphasizing the linkage between agricultural livelihoods and economic empowerment. In our research, we cover a wide range of topics related to agricultural development, especially in the context of rising globalization and economic integration. By addressing emerging and urgent topics, we provide important inputs to policy-makers.
In 2013-2014, MDRI completed a project for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment that assessed land use and management of areas under the Vietnam Land Administration Project. This assessment evaluated ethnic minorities’ accessibility to land services, land use and management of ethnic minorities, and the effectiveness of awareness raising activities through the study of community participation and use of mass media. In the same time period, we provided an assessment of the export potential of the agriculture sector in Vietnam for the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, which evaluated the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of different agricultural product groups and identified key areas of intervention and related policies that can promote future export growth.
