ABSTRACT
This chapter compares the cases of two dams constructed in Vietnam, two villages of resettlers from the NT2 Dam in Lao PDR, and two villages of resettlers from the Koto Panjang Dam in Indonesia, to reveal how income diversification contributed to resettlers' income and satisfaction. It examines the resettler's income structure in Koto Masjid, one of the best-off among the Koto Panjang resettlement villages. An improved standard of living is associated with better productive capacity, higher income, better income distribution, and a lower level of poverty. The agricultural sector remains significant in employment and in contributing income, but the role of non-agricultural sectors is starting to show much promise. The local economy is transforming toward a greater role for non-agricultural sectors. The economic linkages of a catfish fishery are significantly broad, starting upstream with the wealth of water resources to downstream with the presence of a catfish business development center.
