High and low value fish chains in the Mekong Delta: challenges for livelihoods and governance

TLDR

We have content for each. Let's aggregate. Background: "[Background] value chains in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam." So background sentence: "Value chains in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam." But need context: maybe "Value chains in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam." That's fine. Purpose: There are two purpose lines: first "[Purpose] This paper investigates the structure, function and wealth distribution within the Pangasius hypophthalmus and Henicorhynchus spp./Labiobarbus spp." and second "[Purpose, Mechanism] The analysis is driven by key questions relating to the form and function of value chains, their contribution to the livelihoods of farmers and fishers, the effectiveness of government policy and the potential for value chain governance mechanisms, such as contracts and certification, to steer towards sustainable production." So combine: "This paper investigates the structure, function, and wealth distribution of Pangasius hypophthalmus and Henicorhynchus spp./Labiobarbus spp. value chains, addressing their form, contribution to livelihoods, policy effectiveness, and potential for governance mechanisms to promote sustainability." That's one sentence.

Abstract

This paper investigates the structure, function and wealth distribution within the Pangasius hypophthalmus and Henicorhynchus spp./Labiobarbus spp. value chains in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The analysis is driven by key questions relating to the form and function of value chains, their contribution to the livelihoods of farmers and fishers, the effectiveness of government policy and the potential for value chain governance mechanisms, such as contracts and certification, to steer towards sustainable production. The results indicate that actors in the high value Pangasius hypopthalmus export chain have a higher potential income, but face considerably higher economic vulnerability from global markets. Alternatively, Henichorhychus/Labiobarbus spp. fishers are severely constrained in their ability to negotiate higher prices for their fish but appear to be less vulnerable to economic and environmental change. The paper concludes that for value chain governance to improve the livelihoods of fishers and farmers in both high and low value chains, new arrangements are needed that better accommodate customary institutions and informal market relations.