Modernization and participation in Nghia Trung

1. 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

2. Two development ideologies Modernization 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 • 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

3. Nghia Trung Village

4. 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

5. 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

7. 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.”

8. 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.”

10. Different approaches to farming Kinh and Hoa immigrants 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.” • 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!”

11. 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.

12. Thank you! Feel free to contact me: raslyb@hotmail.com