Impact assessment of seven-teen year imlementation of agricultural conservation measures in upland cassava production in Yen Bai province

Citation

Trieu HL, Vu TB, Nguyen HN, Nguyen VQ, Do TDH, Nguyen TC, Do TTH, Bui LV^*. 2021. Impact assessment of conservation measures in cassava production on sloped land of Yen Bai after seven-teen years. Science and Technology Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development. In Vietnamese. 14 (2021): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UKg66wuuOs6Emwzerc1K6JNPnqoT0ihB/view

Permanent link to share this item: http://crafs.vnua.edu.vn/en/news/handle-155

Abstract
Under the context of Vietnam’s focus on sustainable development, Van Yen district, Yen Bai province has stepped up the implementation of a program of sustainable farming on cassava slopes through agricultural conservation measures, including: cassava-contoured forage grass strips; cassava-contoured cassava stalk strips; cassava-contoured alfafa strips; cassava-leguminous crops; cassava-forest trees. After 17 years into implementation, the study aims to conduct an impact assessment study through measuring the suitability, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the conservation measures. The study conducted random interviews with 488 cassava growers, interviewed experts, organized 6 focus group discussions. We used various data analysis tools, including descriptive statistics, comparative statistics and impact assessment. The results show that the above measures have had a positive impact on: (i) Environment: improved soil quality and control of pests and diseases; (ii) Economy: increased cassava yield and mixed income for farmers; (iii) Society: leveraged people’s awareness of benefits of sustainable cassava production. Among the conservation measures, the cassava-cowpea intercrop can help improve soil fertility in a shortest time as well as highest mixed household income. The contoured barrier measures need more time to restore soil fertility.

Key words: Impacts, conservation measures, cassava cultivation, Yen Bai province.