2017年-世界发展银行全球_An_Overview_of_Agricultural_Pollution_in_Vietnam___The_Crops_Sector_104页_5mb

Summary of "An Overview of Agricultural Pollution in Vietnam: The Crops Sector" (2017)

Core Content

This report, prepared by Tin Hong Nguyen and edited by Emilie Cassou and Binh Thang Cao, provides an overview of agricultural pollution in Vietnam, with a specific focus on the crop sector. It outlines the historical development of Vietnam's agricultural systems, the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of crop production, and the policy responses and potential solutions to mitigate pollution.

Main Crop Systems

Vietnam's agricultural sector has undergone significant changes since the 1980s, with three main crops—rice, maize, and coffee—being the focus of the study due to their scale of production, economic importance, and environmental impact.

• Rice Production
  Rice is the most important staple food in Vietnam, with around 7.8 million hectares under cultivation in 2014. The Mekong Delta (MKD) is the primary rice-producing region, contributing over 90% of Vietnam's rice exports. The MKD accounted for approximately 50% of the national rice area and production in the 1990s, increasing to about 60% in 2014. Rice production in the MKD has grown steadily, with an average annual increase of 0.02% in planted area and 0.04% in production volume between 1995 and 2014.

• Maize Production
  Maize is the second most important crop in terms of harvested area, production, and rural livelihoods, especially in mountainous regions. In 2014, the harvested area was about 1.2 million hectares, and production was around 5.2 million tons. Vietnam's maize production has seen rapid growth, with an average annual increase of 8% in production volume from 1995 to 2014. The government is promoting maize to substitute part of the imported volume, and production is expected to continue increasing.

• Coffee Production
  Coffee is the main economic tree crop and a key source of rural income in the Central Highlands (CH). In 2014, the coffee harvested area was around 550,000 hectares, with 90% located in Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong Provinces. About one-third of existing plantations are aging and will require replanting by 2020. Coffee production has grown at an average rate of 9% per year since 1995, and the harvested area increased from 186,000 hectares to 641,000 hectares by 2014.

Input Uses and Waste Management

The use of fertilizers and pesticides has increased significantly over the years, leading to environmental pollution. The report highlights the following:

• Fertilizers
  Fertilizer consumption in Vietnam rose from 2002 to 2012. In the Mekong Delta, fertilizer use in rice production has been excessive, with application rates often higher than recommended. The 1M5R program (1 Must and 5 Reductions) aims to reduce fertilizer overuse.

• Pesticides
  Pesticide use in Vietnam has increased over the years, with significant usage in rice farming. The Mekong Delta, a major rice-producing region, has high pesticide consumption, and improper application and disposal contribute to environmental contamination. The report includes data on pesticide types, quantities, and their impact on health and ecosystems.

• Waste Management
  Farming activities generate various types of waste, including chemical waste from inputs and organic waste from crop outputs. Inefficient waste management practices, such as improper pesticide disposal and burning of agricultural residues, contribute to air and soil pollution. The report emphasizes the need for better waste management systems and policies.

Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts

• Physical Impacts
  Agricultural pollution has led to surface water, groundwater, and soil contamination. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides causes nutrient runoff, groundwater contamination, and soil degradation. Air pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter, is also a concern, particularly from rice residue burning.

• Socioeconomic Impacts
  The use of agrochemicals has had significant health impacts, including acute and chronic pesticide poisoning. The report includes data on health impairments reported by farmers and the economic efficiency of sustainable farming practices, such as the 1M5R program, compared to traditional methods.

Drivers and Responses to Pollution

• Drivers
  Agricultural pollution is driven by crop intensification, soil degradation, climate change, market forces, and inadequate government monitoring. The overuse of inputs and lack of awareness among farmers also contribute to the problem.

• Responses
  The government has introduced the Agricultural Restructuring Plan (ARP) to promote sustainable practices. Policies on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and climate-smart agriculture have been implemented. The 1M5R program and other initiatives aim to reduce input overuse and improve environmental outcomes. Private sector and NGO efforts have also played a role in promoting sustainable agriculture.

Potential Solutions and Knowledge Gaps

• Potential Solutions
  At the national level, the report recommends improving policies, enhancing monitoring and enforcement, and promoting sustainable technologies. At the farm level, it suggests adopting best practices such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM).

• Knowledge Gaps
  The study identifies gaps in understanding the full extent of pollution from crop value chains beyond the farm gate, such as processing and transportation. It also highlights the need for more data on environmental impacts and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The report concludes that agricultural pollution in Vietnam is a growing concern due to intensification and expansion of crop production. It recommends a multi-faceted approach involving policy reforms, improved monitoring, better waste management, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices. The study also emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships and knowledge sharing to address the challenges of agricultural pollution.

Key Information

• Rice is the most important crop in Vietnam, with the Mekong Delta being the main production area.
• Maize is the second most important crop, with growth driven by increased demand for animal feed and government support.
• Coffee is a major economic crop in the Central Highlands, with aging plantations requiring rejuvenation.
• Fertilizer and pesticide overuse are major contributors to pollution, with the Mekong Delta being particularly affected.
• Environmental impacts include water, soil, and air pollution, as well as biodiversity loss.
• Socioeconomic impacts include health issues and economic inefficiencies in traditional farming.
• Government responses include the Agricultural Restructuring Plan (ARP), Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), and the 1M5R program.
• Recommendations focus on sustainable practices, better policy enforcement, and enhanced data collection.

Annex Highlights

The annex includes data on agroecological zones, major agricultural changes, and detailed statistics on crop production, fertilizer and pesticide use, and environmental impacts. It also provides case studies and information on sustainable agricultural practices and technologies.