FARMERS' AWARENESS ABOUT CIRCULAR ECONOMY MODEL: THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY CARRIED OUT IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

Abstract Farmers' understanding of the circular economy (CE) model is crucial for sustainable agriculture. While CE offers advantages like resource efficiency and waste reduction, farmers encounter obstacles in implementation, including limited knowledge and resources. Studies emphasize the need to increase awareness through targeted marketing and educational programs, stressing collaboration among stakeholders to enhance understanding and adoption of CE principles in agriculture. Integrating CE into farming practices can substantially improve environmental sustainability and economic resilience. Although the term "circular agriculture" is frequently used by scientists, practical application of circular principles remains restricted due to low public awareness. A study conducted in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region aimed to comprehend farmers' perceptions of circular agriculture and identify solutions for implementing circular principles in cattle production. Findings revealed a relatively small livestock production scale, averaging 3.6 cattle per household. A staggering 92% of respondents were unfamiliar with the term "circular agriculture." An evaluation scale ranging from 1 to 5 was used to assess knowledge levels about circular agriculture (reduce, reuse, recycle), revealing that 35% of households had no knowledge (level 1), 62% possessed minimal knowledge (level 2), and only 3% reached level 3.2 No respondents demonstrated deep or very deep understanding (levels 4 and 5). While 67% of cattle manure is reused for home cultivation and 24% is sold, 9% is directly discharged into the environment. .2 The Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development should establish demonstration models of circular agriculture, such as biogas or manure composting methods, to minimize chemical fertilizer usage and promote waste recycling.