Characteristics of the land and the sustainable use of agricultural land in Hai Duong province

JOURNAL OF SCIENCE OF HNUE Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 96-104 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAND AND THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN HAI DUONG PROVINCE Dam Van Bac Hai Duong College E-mail: xuanbac.hd68@gmail.com Abstract. For agricultural countries like Vietnam, land issues and agri- cultural economics is extremely important. Hai Duong is an agricultural province in the Red River Delta. The province’ s growth rate of industrial- ization and urbanization has created a high pressure on its agricultural land. In the coming years, Hai Duong’s agricultural land will continue to decline along with the industrialization and modernization process. On researching the characteristics of land resouces and the current land use situation, this article suggests some directions for the sustainalbe development of agricul- tural land in Hai Duong. Keyworld: Agricultural land, agricultural economics, sustainalbe, trans- fered, non-agricultural. 1. Introduction In agricultural countries like Vietnam, the use and ownership of agricultural land and agricultural economics is extremely important. During the industrialization and modernization period proposed and led by our Party, the industrialization and modernization of agriculture is considered the leading edge in the country’s economic development [2]. Hai Duong is an agricultural province of the Red River Delta however, in- dustrialization and urbanization has been progressing so rapidly that an alarming amount of agricultural land has been taken out of production. Over the past 10 years, from 2000 to 2010, nearly 10,000 ha of agricultural land has been transfered to non-agricultural use. The amount of agricultural land that will come out of production is expected to increase due to additional industrialization and urbanization. How to use the agri- cultural land that remains to ensure food security, satisfy the goals of socioeconomic development and raise living standards are the matters of concern to the Party and the people of Hai Duong [7]. 96 Characteristics of the land and the sustainable use of Agricultural land in... Based on studies of the characteristics of the province’s land resources and land use status, this report suggests directions for a sustainable development of agricultural land in Hai Duong. 2. Content 2.1. The land characteristics in Hai Duong Hai Duong has an area of 1655.98 square kilometers [4]. According to the Hai Duong Department of Natural Resources and Environment which refers to infor- mation provides by FAO - UNESCO, land in Hai Duong is either flat (plains) or hilly. 2.1.1. Flat land - The flat land of Hai Duong consists of an area of 93,170.08 ha, which is 86.86% of the province. In the delta can be found the following soil groups: alluvial soil, saline soil, acidic soil [5]. + Alluvial soil makes up the largest area at 85,852.9 ha or 80.04% of the province. This consists mainly of silt deposits from the Pacific River, with the addi- tion of silt from the Red River. This soil is relatively fertile, economically valuable and suitable for growing food crops and short-day industrial crops. This land is divided into two types: * Alluvial soil is not deposited every year. About 74% of this soil, separated by dikes, is of a light brown or pale yellow color. Some areas of land do receive additional silt with the floodwater in the summer. This land is suitable for growing rice when an irrigation system is used. * Alluvial Riparian deposits are deposited annually alongside the Thai Binh River and Luoc River, accounting for 3.6% area and controlled at dikes. This soil is fresh brown in color and has a light, physical composition. It is good soil for growing short-term industrial crops, cash crops and vegetables. + Saline soil is found on area of approximately 4064.1 ha accounting for 3.78% of the area. Saline soil is found in eastern parts of the province, for example, Nhi Chieu, and south of Tu Ky, Kim Thanh and Thanh Ha. This is tidal beach soil, which is deposited annually. While rice grown on this soil has low yields, better success is had growing short-term industrial crops (rush) and vegetables. + Alkaline soil is found on 3028.90 ha, accounting for 2.82% of the area, mainly on the southeast edge of Tu Ky, Thanh Ha and Nhi Chieu districts. This type of soil has a higher fertility potential and is formed by silt deposits that contain biomaterial alum. On this type of soil grow mangrove forests. While it is commonly waterlogged, it can be modified to be put into agricultural production. 97 Dam Van Bac - The altitude of the plains area influences land use and plant layout. The relative altitude of the types of the plains soils in Hai Duong is shown in the following table: Table 1. Altitude of agricultural land in the plains, 2010 (ha) [6] Type of soil Total area High Medium Low Lower Saline 4064,1 3182,77 881,33 Alums 3028,90 2607,36 421,54 Alluvial 85.852,90 8025,08 19.505,05 18302,36 40020,41 Feralit (grey) 224,18 30,53 0,65 190,38 2,63 Total area of plain 93.170,08 8055,61 19505,7 24282,87 41325,91 % compared with plain 100,00 8,65 20,94 26,06 44,36 Low-lying terrain accounts for 70% of the delta area; high terrain less than 10%. Thus, the majority of the plains area is better suited for the cultivation of rice and short-term industrial crops. - The physical composition of the surface soil is a determining factor in farm layout. A physical analysis of the soil to determine components, done by the Hai Duong Department of Resources and Environment, showed that plains surface sur- face soil can be classified into four types: sandy, light, average and clay loam. + Soils of light physical composition (sandy soils and light soils) are found on an area of 41,288.3 ha, accounting for 44.31% of the delta land area. + Land with a medium and heavy physical composition is found on an area of 51,881.78 ha, accounting for 55.69% of the delta land area. Table 2. Soil types by physical composition, 2010 (ha) [6] Type of soil Total area Sandy Soft Medium Heavy Saline 4064.1 141.12 335.42 3587.56 Alum 3028.90 170.58 940.18 1642.85 275.3 Alluvial 85,852.90 12,774.77 26,696.90 41749.48 4631.75 Feralit (grey) 224.18 0.65 223.53 Total area of plain 93,170.08 13,087.11 28,196.04 46,979.88 4907.05 % compared with plain 100.00 14.05 30.26 50.42 5.27 Based on relative altitude and physical composition, we can see that the beach land outside of the dikes and the alluvial soil contained within dikes on high terrain which has a light and medium physical composition is suitable for growing industrial crops if it is alluvial or grey soil. Land suitable for rice cultivation is found on the medium and low altitude areas which have acidic and sedimentary soils. Land on which a second crop of rice can be grown, or one vegetable crop, is located at high and 98 Characteristics of the land and the sustainable use of Agricultural land in... low altitudes. Land for aquaculture is feasible in some lowlying areas with alluvial and,saline soils. - The fertility of Hai Duong’s alluvial, saline and alums soil is fair to moderate. 2.1.2. Hilly land The small amount of hilly area that exists in Hai Duong province is found in Chi Linh and Kinh Mon districts. The amount that has been surveyed is 14,096.02 hectares or 13.14% of the area surveyed in the province. This land is mainly gray soil on alluvium, Feralit gray soil on shale clay and powder, Feralit gray soil on sandstone and Feralit gray soil that has been modified to grow rice. In addition, there is a small amount of red and yellow feralit soil land. - The slope and the altitude of the hilly land is very important and determines land use for agricultural production. Findings: + Dr. Dao Chau Thu of the Center for Research and Sustainable Agricultural Development, Hanoi Agricultural University, divided agricultural land into four lev- els determined by the slope: Table 3. Slope of the hilly land in Hai Duong [1] The order Level The equivalent slope (0) 1 I < 3 2 II 3 - 15 3 III >15 - 25 4 IV >25 About 56% of the hilly land in Hai Duong has the slope of level I to III and is suitable for agriculture; that having a slope of grade I and II is suitable for growing many kinds of crops and accounts for 24% of the whole region. The remaining Grade IV slope land is suitable only for forestry. + Soil thickness according to Dr. Dao Chau Thu: * Grade I: > 120 cm of the entire soil profile. * Grade II: from 50 to 120 cm. * Grade III: less than 50 cm. The survey of the hilly land in Hai Duong showed that only about 20% of the land is suitable for agricultural production (Grade I and Grade II). Over 70% of hilly land area has a thin soil and this region should only be used for forest development. - Fertility of the land: In the mountainous areas, the soil has a light and medium physical composition, a pH of 3-4, and 15-20% of the soil consisting of stones. In general, mountainous land in Hai Duong is of low fertility. 99 Dam Van Bac 2.1.3. Assessing suitablef land in terms of land use Considering geographical factors, soil structure, soil fertility, physiological char- acteristics and the ecological requirements of plant species, we divide land into four levels: high relevancy, medium relevancy, low relevency and inappropriate. A sum- mation of the results of the suitability of the soils in Hai Duong is shown in the following table: Table 4. Appropriate level of the land in Hai Duong by the type of use (ha) [6] Appropriate level The type of use 2 crops of rice, 1 crop of vegetable 2 crop of rice 1 crop of rice, 1 crop of vegetable vegetable Highly suitable 3.333,20 3.484,23 1.832,72 1.822,72 Moderately suitable 21.079,21 56.551,07 23.896,42 14.131,92 Marginally suitable 70.819,49 32.910,51 17.776,40 13.785,94 Not suitable 12.034,20 14.320,20 63.756,56 77.515,52 It can be said that in terms of agricultural development the land of Hai Duong has potential. It was found that 6,871.52 ha are highly suitable and 77,630.28 ha are of medium suitability for growing two crops of rice plus a vegetable crop or two crops of rice. For food crops, 4000 ha are of high uitability and nearly 30,000 ha are of moderate suitability. This land can be used in Hai Duong increase services and productivity, ensure food security for both the present and future and provide products for export. 2.2. Agricultural land use in Hai Duong Table 5. The situation of land use from year 2000 to 2010 [4] Target The situation of land use (ha) Increase (decrease) 2000 2005 2010 Total area 165.598 165.598 165.598 0 Agricultural land 114.816 109.005 105.807 - 9.009 Non-agricultural land 49.608 55.816 59.231 + 9.623 Unused land 1.174 777 560 - 614 In Hai Duong there is a large amount of agricultural land. In 2010, 105,806 ha or 63.9% of the province’s land area was in agricultural use. However, this area is decreasing. From 2000 to 2010, the agricultural land area in Hai Duong shrunk by 9,009 ha due to industrialization and urbanization. Specific land use in each sector: According to statistics for 2010, 105,807 ha of land in Hai Duong was being 100 Characteristics of the land and the sustainable use of Agricultural land in... used for agricultural purposes, accounting for 63.9% of the province natural area. The amount of land in actual agricultural production was 85,680 ha, with forest land accounting for 10,866 ha and aquaculture 9261 ha. Based on the characteristics and capabilities of the types of soil as shown in the above analysis, we can see that Hai Duong has advantages to develop agriculture. Of the agricultural land in use, a large percent of the land was being used to grow vegetables and other short-term crops. Table 6. The structure of agricultural land use from 2000 to 2010 [4] Type of soil 2000 2010 Area (ha) Rate (%) Area (ha) Rate (%) Total area of agricultural land 114.816 100 105.807 100 1. Agricultural production land 98.231 85,6 85.680 81,0 1.1. Annual crop land 80.921 70,5 70.238 66,4 1.2.1. Paddy land 77.861 67,8 66.579 62,9 1.2.2. Others 3.060 2,7 3.659 3.5 1.2. Perennial crop land 17.310 15,1 15442 14,6 2. Forestry land 9.140 8,0 10.866 10,3 3. Water surface land for aquaculture 7.445 6,4 9.261 8,7 In the ten years from 2000 to 2010, there was a reduction of agricultural land as it was transferred to a more suitable use, such as forestry in Chi Linh and Kinh Mon districts, and there was an increase in aquacultural land due to an expansion of that industry. The amount of land used to grow annual crops and paddy decreased; some land came into production due to economic feasibility. Hai Duong farmers are diversifying their vegetable cultivation in an attempt to incease profits and serve market needs, they are shortening their production season and they are employing laborers during the harvest months. 2.3. Sustainable use of agricultural land in Hai Duong province 2.3.1. Development-oriented sustainable use of agricultural land in Hai Duong province a. In response to population and labor resources The population of Hai Duong in 2010 was 1.71 million. With the current population growth rate as 0.94%/year, but falling, the population of the province is expected to reach 1.82 million in 2020 and 1.95 million in 2030 with a population 101 Dam Van Bac growth rate at 0.4 to 0.5%. The labor force of Hai Duong will soon reach 0.9 to 1.1 million workers, with 25-35% working in agriculture, 33-40% working in industry and 32-35% working in services. The labor force growth will necessarily mean less land for agriculture. b. The trend of land use change in Hai Duong province Over the years, agricultural land has decreased due to industrial development and urban and residential expansion. The amount of forested land has increased slowly. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years due to industrialization and modernization development plans. However, predictions of the amount of agricultural land that will be in pro- duction in the future must be based on quality and the strategic use of land to meet the social and economic objectives of the development plan to 2020 and beyond. With these considerations, we predict the following: Table 7. Forecasting land use change in Hai Duong province to 2030 (ha) [6] Type of soil 2010 2020 2030 Natural area 165.598 165.598 165.598 1. Agricultural land 105.807 93.552 88.415 1.1. Agricultural production land 85.680 72.982 68.000 1.2. Forestry land 10.866 10.353 10.200 1.3. Water surface land for fishing 9.261 9.480 9.480 2. Non- agricultural land 59.231 71.957 77.094 3. Unused land 560 89 89 Agricultural land will be reduced but the rate of decline is expected to slow due to land management policies and be offset by the addition of reclaimed land and an, expansion in the upland in Chi Linh and Kinh Mon districts. The amount of land being used for on-agricultural purposes increased due to industrialization, urbanization and population growth. Fallow land shrinks slowly because there’s not much of it in Hai Duong. 2.3.2. Orientation for a sustainable use of agricultural land in Hai Duong province To make rational use of agricultural land in Hai Duong in the direction of sustainable development and ensuring ecological balance, besides the general solu- tions there are are also strategies, plans and master plans for local economic-social development based on the characteristics of the land resource and planned use sta- tus. However, we should have more specific details to determine the best use of agricultural land, namely: 102 Characteristics of the land and the sustainable use of Agricultural land in... 1. To formulate a good land use plan, we need to consider maintaining agri- cultural land, keeping the amount of agricultural land viable, improving State man- agement of the land and create a limit as to the maximum amount of farmland that can be transferred to other purposes. 2. With agricultural land, we should continue to convert production, reclaim lands and expand agricultural land use in other ways. The main directions are the restructuring of crop production and increasing the efficiency of land use. - Continue to direct the patching, changing plot size and ownership, and en- couraging households to convert and transfer of land to increase farm acreage. Make it easier for businesses to lease agricultural land by creating large farms, concen- trated production areas and increased mechanization to produce rice in an intensive, commercial manner. - Improve the land and increase soil fertility by means of an increased use of fertilizer, manure, green manure and the processing of agricultural products into fertilizer. Use of inorganic fertilizers and chemicals plant should be reasonable and not pollute the land or water. - Protect soil fertility by growing crops which will not exhaust the various soils and rotate crops to improve the soil. When the transfer, we should spent time for the Land should be fallow for periods of time, it should be plowed and allowed to dry after harvest, organic fertilizers should be used and weeds and pests should be removed. 3. For saline land and acidic land in the eastern part of the province, we need to make use of organic fertilizers, apply lime to deacidify, wash out the salt and alkalinity improve the soil and grow plants that can tolerate the salinity and alum. A plan with governmental backing is to have the Hai Duong people turn land into efficient aquafarms. 4. The gray Feralit land of the hills of the Kinh Mon and Chi Linh districts is steep and the soil is easily eroded. Therefore, sustainable use of agricultural land in this areas would mean: - Plant tree to check erosion, restore moisture and increase soil fertility. - Promote an agriculture-forestry combined model for the local farm econ- omy. Combine afforestation, grazing and cultivation using the RVAC model (forest - garden - pond - stables) - Encourage the growth of tea, make lychee available to local farmers to bolster the economy and retain the soil and groundwater. 103 Dam Van Bac 3. Conclusion Land is a national resource which can be recovered that is formed from parent rock over a very long time, influenced by geography, geology, topography, climate, hydrology and biology. In a very short time the socioeconomic activities of humans can irreparable alter what has taken millennia to form. Land is that base upon which agriculture and forestry production depend. On it are habitats and the human population is distributed upon it. With a diverse range of soil types within its borders, and an army of planners at its service, Hai Duong had big dreams. However, in recent years the focus has been industrialization and modernization and this has left the agricultural sector to struggle. There is land which is still covered with forests which are not plantation trees, and agriculture continnues to decline. For there to be a sustainable development of agricultural land resources, there should be proper land use planning the focuses on maintain agricultural land. Con- tinue to introduce new crops to areas, encourage intensive agriculture, increased crop size and increasing businesspeople’s use of the land. Exploit the wild areas which still exist but promote reforestation to prevent erosion. In addition, there should be measures to improve soils and protect the soil fertility for each soil type in each region to make best use of this resource. REFERENCES [1] Dao Chau Thu, 2003. Using the slope for argiculture. Agriculture Publishing House, Ha Noi. [2] Dang Kim Son, 2008. Vietnam’s agriculture, famers, rual, today and future. National poltical Publishing House, Hanoi. [3] Le Thong (editor), 2002. Geography of Vietnam Pr