Modernization and participation in Nghia Trung

- the challenges of the Vietnamese project site’s ethnic diversity

Rasmus Lybæk, MA in Communication Studies and Anthropology, University of Aarhus

Two development ideologies

Modernization

• Development problems are caused by insufficient knowledge and technology among third world populations.

• Interventions should inform and educate people to make them change behavior.

• Top-down communication

Participation

• Development problems are caused by oppression and marginalization of third world populations.

• Interventions should give a voice to the oppressed and empower them to claim their rights.

• Bottom-up communication

Nghia Trung Village

Ethnic diversity in Nghia Trung

• Population: 12.700• Kinh (ethnic Vietnamese people): 73%• Stieng (indigenous to the area): 12%• Hoa (Chinese immigrants): 8%• Tay• Nung• Kho Me• Giao• Cao Lan

A policy of modernization and assimilation

• Restrictions on some cultural practices

• Programs to eradicate swidden agriculture

• Resettlement of ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh) people to areas with a high concentration of ethnic minorities

• 2001 riots: a protest against the government’s policies

Kinh and Hoa immigrants

• Eager to invest: ”Our income is not enough for everything. It is just enough to invest in farming but not enough for food.”

• Extensive considerations about factors that influence outcome: Such as the weather, pests, soil quality, soil erosion etc.

• Creative attempts to solve problems and seize opportunities: ”The farmers try to solve every problem. They make their own experiences and discuss to find the best solutions.”

• Seek out farming information from associations, media and neighbours: ”Information is very necessary for farming. I need the knowledge, and if it is good, I will apply it.”

Indigenous Stieng people

• Prioritize consumption higher than investment: ”When we don’t have enough money for food, how can we invest in farming?”

• Much less focus on factors that influence outcome: ”I don’t know about this [soil quality]. Only scientists know about this.”

• Much fewer creative solutions: No intercropping and no attempts to reduce soil erosion.

• Little interest in gathering knowledge and discussing farming methods: ”It is very easy to grow cashew trees, and everyone around here knows how. So there’s no need to ask anyone.”

Different approaches to farming

Kinh and Hoa immigrants

• An economically rational approach to farming

• This approach is dominant and endorsed by all authorities.

• The consequence is a positive self-image among Kinh and Hoa farmers: “I am a good farmer!”

Indigenous Stieng people

• A traditional ‘subsistence’ approach to farming

• This approach has lost its legitimacy and is perceived as irrational.

• The consequence is a negative self-image and a fatalistic attitude among Stieng farmers: “I don’t know anything about farming.”

Recommendations

• LTRA-5 uses some participatory methods, but is ideologically a modernization project.

• The Kinh and Hoa majority are most likely to benefit from LTRA-5.

• The situation of the indigenous Stieng people calls for a participatory approach.

• More research is needed.

Thank you!

Feel free to contact me:raslyb@hotmail.com