Linking the Poor with Rice Value Chains

Abstract

Rice productivity in Viet Nam over the past decade has seen massive increases in the production and profitability of rice and significant reductions in poverty. However, a significant number of the poor are either land scarce or landless and there is limited potential for significant productivity increases from improved rice production. Rather than concentrating on rice production for poverty reduction, government policies should emphasize income maximization and diversification. For the land poor and landless, policies should concentrate on the development of labor-intensive farming practices and rural industries.