The impact of COVID-19 on labor migration and the roles of small-scale farming in the pandemic in Vietnam

Drawing on in-depth interviews of migrant workers and their families in rural Vietnam, this study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transnational and rural-urban migration as well as the role of small-scale farming in remittance-receiving households. Fieldwork was conducted in two provinces: the Son La province where ethnic minority women and men work in urban construction sites, and the Ha Tinh province where young men work in East Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Research findings show that in Son La, the pandemic exacerbated the already precarious lives and livelihoods of labor migrants, especially women and children. On the other hand, in Ha Tinh non-market-oriented small-scale farming and livestock production support remittance-receiving households, thereby limiting the impact of reduced remittances from transnational migration in the short-term. In both study sites, the pandemic did not change respondents’ perceptions of livelihood strategies. Labor migration remains the only available option for Son La farmers from the poor households to provide for their families and the best option for many young men in Ha Tinh to gain financial autonomy. These individuals are deeply affected by structural injustice in the commodification of the labor market, which is inherently unequal and exploitative. Current agricultural development must offer diverse options to accommodate the various needs of marginalized households that depend on off-farm incomes as well as small-scale farming

Women’s roles and opportunities in cassava value chains in Son La province in Vietnam: A technical report

Cassava is a major export-oriented cash crop in Vietnam. Unlike other cash crops, such as coffee, fruits, and maize, cassava requires limited agricultural input and labour and can grow in nutrient-poor uplands. Research on cassava breeding, seed systems and value chains in Southeast Asia is increasingly focused on market-oriented aspects such as developing hybrid varieties favourable to the cassava starch industry, disease control on large scale farms, and seed systems driven by the private sector. However, in the northern mountainous areas of Vietnam, ethnic minority farmers use cassava roots, leaves and sticks for numerous reasons, including starch production, fish and animal feed, firewood, and home consumption. Women play significant roles in those non market-oriented activities (often collecting left-over small roots in the field, drying roots, and cutting leaves and stems) but little is known about how this work influences women’s roles, decision-making and opportunities in cassava value chains. Hence, this study provides that data with an eye to see how women may find more opportunity for creating small business enterprises with cassava. Fieldwork was conducted in July 2021 in the Chieng La commune (Thuan Chau district) and the Muong Bon Commune (Mai Son district). Findings show that although women are less involved in decision making on cassava production and overall agricultural investment, they play important roles in cassava production and post-harvest activities. Therefore, it is extremely important to collect and analyze women’s preferences, concerns and constraints in cassava research and interventions. In the conclusion, we highlight additional areas for research on this topic

Negotiation processes, evolutionary systems design, and NEGOTIATOR

A negotiation accord is often the result of an intense, laborious, and evolutionary negotiation process. During this process, disputing parties are confronted with goal, judgment, and outcome conflict. This article demonstrates the utility of a conflict resolution framework-Evolutionary Systems Design (ESD)-by using a Negotiation Support System. ESD seeks to guide negotiators to move their individual goals and judgments in such a way as to enhance the chance of achieving a common solution. As illustrated by the use of NEGOTIATOR, a multiattribute utility negotiation support system, we argue that computer mediation can prove to be an effective means to implement the ESD framework