Lotus Farming in Thua Thien Hue: A Pathway to Alternative Agriculture in Vietnam

Crop conversion from inefficient rice fields to lotus cultivation has been strongly promoted in low-lying areas of Thua Thien Hue Province in recent years. To assess the opportunities and constraints of lotus farming, this research applied a mixed-methods approach, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a household survey with 95 lotus farmers. Two main factors that drove the shift to lotus cultivation were the limitations of the rice farming system in low-lying areas and farmers’ expectations of high economic returns from lotus crops. In addition, crop conversion policies have played an important role in facilitating land access for farming households. Despite being perceived as a high-value crop, lotus production has proven economically unviable for most surveyed households in 2024. Smallholders who rely on family labor tend to achieve higher efficiency, highlighting a paradox where increased scale does not lead to greater profitability. Consecutive crop failures caused by nematode diseases and unfavorable weather, combined with high production costs, have posed serious challenges, particularly for larger farms. These findings suggest that promoting indigenous lotus varieties, expanding mechanization, encouraging farmer cooperation, and improving post-harvest practices are essential to enhance production efficiency and support the sustainability of the lotus sector.