Dang Thanh Ha

Coffee Boom, Coffee Bust and Smallholder Response in Vietnam’s Central Highlands

This paper studies the recent boom and bust in Vietnams coffee economy. Data from smallholder coffee farms in the Central Highlands are used to examine responses to a drop in producer coffee prices. A multinomial logistic regression model is used to identify several factors associated with four specific patterns observed among coffee farmers: no response to price change, reductions in use of purchased inputs, changes in crop mix, and responses aimed at enhancing liquidity through off-farm work or borrowing. Patterns of response are shown to have differed systematically across sub-groups of smallholders. Policy implications raised by the findings are discussed. Copyright

Socio-economic factors in traditional rafter beekeeping with Apis dorsata in Vietnam

In the Melaleuca forest of southern Vietnam, local people practice a traditional technique using rafters to harvest honey and beeswax from the giant native honey bee, Apis dorsata. Our study was carried out at the state forestry farm of Song Trem, Ca Mau province. Data were collected from interviews with beekeepers and forest holders, as well as local officials. The results show that rafter beekeeping is important in the preservation and sustainable exploitation of the Melaleuca forests, and we suggest some solutions to conflicts that have arisen between the beekeepers and the new forest holders.