Successful implementation of national climate change agriculture adaptation policy in Vietnam requires rural communities to be able to respond to government programs. Critical players in ensuring this include provincial government officials and local farmers. Program success depends on strong uptake by farmers, which in turn depends on strong understanding of climate change and its agricultural and environmental impacts. Small-scale farming is dominant in Vietnam, and therefore the perceptions of such farmers regarding climate change and variability, necessary farming practice adjustment, and barriers to adaptation are important. However, there has been very little research devoted to understanding the factors that may influence farmers' responses to climate change in Vietnam. The objectives of this paper are, therefore, to: (i) identify the of understanding and awareness of climate change among small-scale farmers in Vietnam, as it may affect their continuing practice as farmers; (ii) evaluate farmers' understanding of adaptation to climate change; and (iii) record small-scale farmers' responses to climate change adaptation, and therefore the capacity for rural communities to respond meaningfully to government climate change adaptation programs. Drawing on interviews of 172 small-scale farmers and six agricultural officers, we find that the majority of the farmers are, indeed, aware of local climate change. Both poor and non-poor farmers hold similar perceptions of changes in local climatic conditions. Importantly, however, these two groups differ significantly in terms of their perceptions and understandings of adaptation measures, barriers to adaptation, and factors influencing decisions. These differences reflect differences in income, financial capacity and education. Adaptation measures taken by poor farmers typically comprise relatively simple and minimal collective actions, and are typically low cost options. These are likely to have relatively low impacts in terms of their efficacy in responding to climate change. Non-poor farmers, on the other hand, tend to adopt more sophisticated responses, which require greater knowledge, skills and investment costs. These farmers are more likely to be able to respond to climate change with greater efficacy.

Abstract-Agriculture sector in Vietnam is not only affected by climate change but it also emits a high proportion of greenhouse gas (GHG) -especially rice, which is the main source of GHG emissions in this sector. Many GHG mitigation options have been transferred to rice cultivation in the world with biochar measure, compost measure and applying Alternative Wet and Dry (AWD) measures having high potential to reducing GHG emissions. This study assesses the co-benefits of greenhouse gas emission mitigation options above in comparison with traditional farmers' practice (applying flooding irrigation (PF) in combination with farmyard manure fertilizer (FYM)) to find a climate-smart agriculture system for Vietnam ensuring both economic benefits and maintain Global Warming Potential. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in Hanoi city, located in Northwest Vietnam. The experiment was divided into two blocks with different water regimes: AWD and PF. Each block was designed with four different types of fertilizer: 1) NPK (i.e. irorganic fertilizer) only; 2) NPK and FYM; 3) NPK and straw compost; and 4) NPK and straw biochar. The result showed that rice yield was significantly different among mitigation treatments compared to traditional farming practise. In addition, the block with AWD irrigation method and NPK+ straw biochar fertilizer showed potential to mitigate GHG emissions significantly with 53.4% CO 2 eq per grain yield reduction compared to traditional farmers' practice. Furthermore, this mitigation option also helped to save 43.24% of water irrigation, increase soil fertilit and reuse Vietnam's agricultural residue.Index Terms-Rice paddy field, biochar, compost, AWD, climate-smart agriculture system.

No abstract

Climate change is expected to have serious impacts on developing countries, including Vietnam. The central government of Vietnam has launched programs to study climate change trends and impacts on natural resources, environment and socioeconomic development, and adaptation strategies. These programs have the active involvement of many ministries, sectors, research institutions and local governments. This paper addresses the perceptions of provincial officers in Vietnam regarding climate change, its impacts on agricultural activities, and adaptation options. It examines the current knowledge and understanding capacity of provincial officials in implementing the National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change, and the Action Plan to Response to Climate Change of the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector. The results from the study provide insight into the perceptions on climate change and climate change adaptation measures held by Vietnamese government officials working in environmental and agricultural sectors. The survey data indicate that Vietnamese government officials are aware of climate change and its potential impacts, but have relatively poor understanding of some aspects, given the key role of government officials in implementing Vietnamese adaptation policies and mitigation measures. These new findings are important to Vietnamese and international organizations involved in assisting agricultural research and extension agencies with identifying and implementing strategies to adapt Vietnamese farming systems to a changing climate.

No abstract