RICE WITH FISH CULTURE IN THE SEMI-DEEP WATERS OF THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM - A SOCIOECONOMIC SURVEY

The results of a socio-economical survey of farming systems practising rice culture with introduced fish, rice culture with indigenous fish and rice monoculture in the semi-deep waters of the Mekong Delta, Viet nam, are presented. Rice and fish yields, inputs, and cost-benefits we re computed to evaluate the agricultural effects of rice with fish cul ture. Household size, labour availability and educational level were n ot significantly different among the three farming systems, Rice-fish farming systems differed mainly from rice monoculture by a higher fert ilizer/water requirement and less pesticide use. The total farm cash a nd net return did not differ among the farming systems, The main benef icial effects of rice-fish culture are thought to be related to enviro nmental sustainability, system biodiversity, farm diversification and household nutrition.