Study

Combining biodiversity conservation with poverty alleviation – a case study in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

  • Published source details Triet T. (2010) Combining biodiversity conservation with poverty alleviation – a case study in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management , 13, 41-46.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use marketing strategies to increase the value of marshes or swamps

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation

Provide education/training programmes about marshes or swamps

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Use marketing strategies to increase the value of marshes or swamps

    A before-and-after study in 2004–2007 in southern Vietnam (Triet 2010) reported that helping local people to sell handicrafts made from marsh plants in tourist markets, along with training to improve the quality of products, increased income. Statistical significance was not assessed. Before intervention, the average income of people making products from grey sedge Lepironia articulata was 8,000–10,000 VND/day. Mat-makers earned around 5,000 VND/day. After running the marketing and training scheme for three years, the average income had doubled (data not reported). Mat-makers now earned 30,000 VND/day. Handbag-makers now earned 50,000 VND/day. The study also reported a reduction in human disturbance and encroachment during the scheme, but this was not quantified. Methods: Between 2004 and 2007, the Phu My project aimed to facilitate sustainable use of the Ha Tien marshes by helping to locals to sell handicrafts in tourist areas, and training locals to make higher quality goods. It was hoped that higher quality products (requiring fewer raw materials) and higher incomes (from selling in tourist areas) would reduce harvesting pressure and pressure to convert the marshes to other land uses. The study does not distinguish between the effects of marketing and training. It also does not report further details of the marketing, training or income estimation.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

  2. Provide education/training programmes about marshes or swamps

    A before-and-after study in 2004–2007 in southern Vietnam (Triet 2010) reported that training locals to make fine handicraft products from marsh plants, along with helping them to sell products in tourist markets, increased their income. Statistical significance was not assessed. Before intervention, the average income of people making products from grey sedge Lepironia articulata was 8,000–10,000 VND/day. Mat-makers earned around 5,000 VND/day. After running the training and marketing scheme for three years, the average income had doubled (data not reported). Mat-makers now earned 30,000 VND/day. Handbag-makers now earned 50,000 VND/day. The study also reported a reduction in human disturbance and encroachment during the scheme, but this was not quantified. Methods: Between 2004 and 2007, the Phu My project aimed to facilitate sustainable use of the Ha Tien marshes by training locals to make fine handicraft products and helping them to sell for higher prices (e.g. in tourist markets). It was hoped that higher quality products (requiring fewer raw materials) and higher incomes (from selling in tourist areas) would reduce harvesting pressure and pressure to convert the marshes to other land uses. The study does not distinguish between the effects of training and marketing. It also does not report further details of the training, marketing or income estimation.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

Output references
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