Agricultural commercialization in the Mekong region: A meta-narrative review and policy implications

Main author: Nguyen, Anh-Thu
Other authors: Oya, Carlos
Beban, Alice
Gironde, Christophe
Cole, Rob
Ehrensperger, Albrecht
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-39389
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description Agricultural commercialization has been a development focus in the Mekong region for several decades, resulting in varying outcomes. In response to competing claims and policy advice, this meta-narrative review not only examines the literature on the impacts of agricultural commercialization in the Mekong on local livelihoods, but also investigates the research traditions that shape the conceptualization of the research topics, study design, and recommended solutions. We explore narratives from three research traditions, namely the neoclassical, Marxian political economy, and neopopulist approaches. On the whole, the neoclassical literature finds positive impacts on household incomes and thus contributes to reducing poverty; the Marxian political economy tradition finds that capitalist development in agriculture creates and deepens social differentiation through which certain groups may benefit while others are negatively impacted; lastly, the neopopulist perspective finds negative impacts compared to previous, traditional livelihoods. The ideological premises informing these studies and implications for policy are discussed.
format Journal Article
author Nguyen, Anh-Thu
author_facet Nguyen, Anh-Thu
Oya, Carlos
Beban, Alice
Gironde, Christophe
Cole, Rob
Ehrensperger, Albrecht
authorStr Nguyen, Anh-Thu
author_letter Nguyen, Anh-Thu
author2 Oya, Carlos
Beban, Alice
Gironde, Christophe
Cole, Rob
Ehrensperger, Albrecht
author2Str Oya, Carlos
Beban, Alice
Gironde, Christophe
Cole, Rob
Ehrensperger, Albrecht
title Agricultural commercialization in the Mekong region: A meta-narrative review and policy implications
publisher Taylor and Francis
publishDate 2023
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/39389/