Inquiries into Farmers' Perception of Biodiversity in Vietnam: A Systematic Analysis

Conserving biodiversity has become more important for tropical countries, where agricultural production is featured by a large number of small farms scattered in wide areas conducting increasing intensified production to meet rising demand on both quantity and quality. Employing a phenomenological logical approach, we examine whether small farmers have an appropriate perception of biodiversity conservation and what are the main barriers preventing them from practicing biodiversity conservation. Based on four focus group interviews with a total of 39 farmers in two key vegetable production sites in Vietnam and four expert interviews, which were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires from July 2022 to February 2023, the qualitative analysis reveals several findings. Firstly, Vietnamese vegetable farmers already have a certain level of awareness of biodiversity and biodiversity conservation production practices. Secondly, improving health of the farmers and people in their community stand out as the most important perceived benefit of biodiversity conservation vegetable production practices. Thirdly, the main barrier to biodiversity conservation vegetable production practices is the short-run income viability for the farmers' family. Finally, biodiversity conservation should be effective if farmers are supported by joint actions from both the government and businesses.