Rice value chain in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Solutions for rice velue added improvement and sustainable development

Abstract

Analysis of the rice value chain in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, based on the integrated approaches of Kaplinsky and Morris (2000), Recklies (2001), GTZ ValueLinks (2007) and M4P (2007) along with direct interviews of 549 individual chain actors and 10 groups in the four provinces. Researchobjectives consist of (1) Rice in the world market, (2) Analysis of the present rice value chain including domestic and export rice value chains, (3) Chain economic analysis includes production cost, cost-added, value added, net value added (profit), chain income of each actor and the entire chain, (4) SWOT analysis as well as examination of the rice chain quality problems and (5) chain upgrading strategies of rice product for improving the chain's value added, profit, income, competitive advantage and rice chain sustainable development in the Mekong Delta in particular and in Vietnam in general.