The impact of land fragmentation on food security in the North Central Coast, Vietnam

While the effect of land fragmentation on farm efficiency and production diversification in Vietnam has been well established, no evidence exists for its effect on household food security. Using a unique dataset from household surveys in combination with micro-econometric models, the current study examines the impact of land fragmentation on food security in the poorest districts of Vietnam’s North Central Coast. Even after controlling for other factors in the models, we provide the first evidence that in Vietnam, ethnic minority households whose land holdings are fragmented are more likely to suffer from food insecurity. A higher likelihood of achieving food security is found for households whose members have better education and non-farm self-employment. The findings suggest that land policies that encourage land consolidation and improve the access of ethnic minorities to better education and non-farm self-employment would help them improve their food security. Such policies should be promoted in the study area.