Clam Farming Risks in Thai Binh Province Vietnam: Impacts and Causes

Large part of the world population are seeking livelihood from coastal aquaculture, and have been experiencing increased difficulties because of the poor development plan for coastal areas by governments, polluted water discharges from inland agricultural and industrial activities, and increasing negative impacts of climate changes. This study explores risks faced by the clam farming sector in Thai Binh province, as well as their causes and impacts on farmers. Our survey has revealed that there have been several important risks in clam production which can be grouped in terms of nature of origin: human-caused and natural ones. These risks have impacted on all relevant aspects of clam farming: production, market and financial sector. They are caused by several factors, including extreme weather events, waste water discharges, production techniques, market or financial access. Of these risks, human-caused ones are more severe and more difficult for farmers to cope with (than natural ones). Therefore, the governments are suggested to play more effective roles in coordinating and managing the different activities of relevant stakeholders (such as inland farming and industrial producers, better inland discharge schemes, more flexible credit system functions) so that human-caused risks for clam farming could be minimized.