Land tenure and tenancy conditions in relation to rice production in three villages in the Red river delta, Vietnam

Abstract

Red River Delta is one of the main rice producing regions in Vietnam. With large variations in natural conditions, the Red River Delta is suitable for development of different types of crops and animals. In recent years, the importance of fisheries, aquaculture and fruit trees have been increasing. With the average farming area per household in Red River Delta being 0.28 ha (2005), land is a limiting factor in generating sufficient income. Most farmers resort to diversifying their farming to high value crops such as vegetables, fruit trees, and livestock for urban markets, or engaging in non-farm activities. The result of this trend is the emergence of tenancy among farmers. This paper attempts to clarify the determination and function of rice land tenancy within the context of the economic structure in three villages in the North of Vietnam. A series of questionnaire surveys were conducted in 2010- 2011 in the villages of Hung Yen (A), Bac Ninh (B), and Hai Phong (C) Provinces which are located in the Red River Delta. The main findings of the research are as follows. There is an increasing area of non-rice production with the appearance of different kinds of tenurial status in different villages. The tenurial status changes with the age of the farmers, indicating the influence of life-cycle on farmers’ economic behavior. There is also heavy dependence upon kinship ties in landlord-tenant relations. The production function analysis revealed that the increased use of land, labor, seed and fertilizer could lead to a higher rice production. The average rental under the predominant form oftenancy appeared to be equal to the marginal product of land, but under the contracts established between relatives, the average rental was much lower than the marginal product.