Livelihoods, livestock and local logics: unpacking farmer group dynamics in Vietnam’s Northwest Mountainous region

Farmer groups (FGs) are widely promoted for rural development and market integration, yet their effectiveness in ethnically diverse and ecologically complex regions remains debated. This study examines livestock-based FGs in Vietnam’s Northwest Mountainous region, focusing on nine FGs formed within Thái and HMông communities. Using a relational and intersectional framework, the research explores how externally driven development models interact with local livelihood practices, cultural values and power dynamics. The findings highlight that standardized FG approaches often overlook farmers’ diverse goals, such as viewing livestock as a financial safety net rather than a commercial asset. Key insights emphasize the importance of context-specific governance, trust, leadership and the selective adoption of innovations based on compatibility with local systems. Structural barriers, including weak market access, limited infrastructure and institutional fragmentation, hinder FG performance. While cooperatives show stronger cohesion and planning, common interest groups function more as knowledge-sharing platforms than market-oriented entities. The article advocates adaptive, inclusive and hybrid development models that integrate local knowledge and support gradual transitions towards resilience and equity. Recommendations stress participatory governance, plural livelihood strategies and multi-scalar partnerships as vital for transforming livestock-based FGs into effective tools for sustainable rural development.