The Role of Livelihood Capitals in Agricultural Production in Thanh Phu District, Ben Tre Province

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role and contribution of livelihood capitals in agricultural production in Thanh Phu district, Ben Tre province, a coastal area of the Mekong Delta characterized by distinct ecological conditions and diverse farming models. A quantitative approach was employed using a household survey of 200 respondents across five communes representing three different ecological subregions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution to evaluate the current status and effectiveness of the five livelihood capitals based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework.
The findings indicate that the human capital plays a pivotal role, with personal farming experience (95.5 percent) and internet access (92 percent) identified as the most effective information channels, and the agricultural extension system achieving a 94 percent satisfaction rate. The natural capital faces serious challenges, with only 21.5 percent of households reporting positive groundwater conditions, and 61.5 percent perceiving poor surface water quality due to climate change impacts. The physical capital remains relatively stable, as 73 percent of households own permanent housing and 95 percent have private land ownership. In contrast, the financial capital exhibits a notable disparity, with 52 percent of households operating at small to medium scales. The social capital demonstrates stratified effectiveness: agricultural extension (95 percent) and farmers unions (90 percent) receive high satisfaction, whereas cooperatives are rated satisfactory by only 50 percent of households.
The study recommends strengthening investment in the agricultural extension system and the application of information technology; prioritizing water resources protection measures against the impacts of climate change; facilitating access to preferential loans and developing community credit funds, and simultaneously enhancing the operational quality of cooperatives and other social organizations to ensure sustainable agricultural livelihood development.