Soil loss is one of the most pressing and intractable environmental problems facing the developing countries of Southeast Asia. Now, however, new research from Vietnam has produced persuasive evidence that soil conservation makes economic sense for small scale hill farmers and that, with the right support and training, these farmers can do much to preserve the region's soil resources and improve their own livelihoods. This study looked at the on-farm costs of erosion and the economic benefits of soil conservation in the mountainous areas of North Vietnam. The study also investigated the main factors that discourage farmers from practicing soil conservation.

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