Rice variety and sustainable farming: A case study in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The Mekong Delta (MKD) produces more than half of the total rice production in Vietnam. In context climate change, Vietnamese government has implemented a development strategy for MKD region to improve quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. proportion aromatic high-quality is gradually increasing satisfy export market. However, there still an over-reliance on agrochemicals impact overall efficiency major groups not well understood. This study measures (OE) input slacks considered low-emission farming. Using primary survey data from 380 households, super-slack based measure (super-SBM) envelopment analysis (DEA) was employed calculate scores non-radial each farm. results indicated that both (AR) (HR) achieved higher OE autumn-winter (AW) season summer-autumn (SA) season. addition, also increased paddy farms greater two hectares households have cooperative membership practice smart agriculture (CSA). For reduction strategies slacks, it found group should seed density reduced by amounts ranging 29 45 kg/ha. N fertilizer be 33 kg/ha 35 SA AW seasons, respectively. It estimated farming can correspondingly mitigate N2O emissions 62−74.2 kg/km2 64.7−73 Overall, super-SBM model effective simultaneously estimating overuse among fields. ranking “super-efficient” supports restructuring policy establishing AR HR areas export. Among adaptation strategies, CSA techniques smaller irrigation. Low-emission sector favors if are continuously promoted strictly monitored government.