How do the availability of fish and rice affect occupation and food security in the Lower Mekong Basin?

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to our understanding of how rice and fish availability affect occupation and food security of people in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB), including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam. The study focuses on subsistence and commercial fishers and farmers. The data obtained for my research are from the first basin-wide survey conducted across the four countries using a common methodology and timing in 2009. Results of the study show that the extent of dependence of people on rice and fish availability for occupation, income, and food and their resilient capacities varies greatly between strata and across study sites. If both fish and rice decline at a common rate applicable to the whole LMB, cash income of at least one of four strata in each site will easily fall below the poverty line of $1.00 per capita per day. Seen from the perspective of food, all strata of all sites will be significantly affected if the availability of rice and fish decline. Altogether, fish and rice account for more than 81% of the total daily calorie intake. With uneven distribution of population by countries and varied social-ecological zones and livelihood activities, impacts of changes in the rice and fish availability will not distribute evenly. If changes occur throughout the Mekong, the number of people impacted will be highest in Vietnam, followed by Cambodia and Lao PDR. Thailand will be affected the least. Please see separate PDF files for the questionnaire in five languages.