Major components of this growth, which led to reduced rural poverty, are attributable to higher per hectare yields in rice and other crops. These yield increases went hand in hand with the diversification into new or intensified non-crop endeavors, such as aquaculture, livestock breeding, and nonfarm activities. The sharply different growth rates in the acreage of annual crops (1.7 percent) compared to perennial crops (6.3 percent) (Nguyen 2008) indicate the impact that strengthened incentives such as secured land-use rights for tree and shrub cultivation have had on long-term investments in land. With 43 percent intensification, improved irrigation and an increased application of fertilizer contributed