Processing agricultural products is of the most important 'handicraft' activities in Vietnam's Red River Delta. It provides jobs, improves household incomes and helps alleviate poverty. However, it also generates a huge amount of waste and is a source of serious pollution. This study analysed the environmental consequences of agro-product processing in the area and assessed the cost-effectiveness of pollution control options. This study looks at a village where most of the households are engaged in cassava starch processing. It finds that this activity is a significant source of pollution, which is seriously affecting the health of local rivers and local people. The study recommends that a wastewater treatment plant for the whole village is set up and that wastewater fees are collected from households engaged in agro-processing activities. It also recommends that the sewerage system in the village be improved, that households are involved in environmental clean-up work and that steps are taken to encourage cleaner production technologies in the agro-product processing industry.

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