Describe any three steps taken by the French to develop agriculture in Vietnam. (CBSE 2012, 2013)

Three steps taken by the French to develop agriculture in Vietnam were-

1. The French began by building canals and draining lands in the Mekong delta to increase cultivation.

2. The vast system of irrigation works – canals and earthworks – was built mainly with forced labour. It increased rice production and allowed the export of rice to the international market.

3. The French constructed railway network to facilitate the export system of agricultural products of Vietnam

Note: The French improved the infrastructure of Vietnam, thus increasing production and its supply dramatically. However, this was all based on forced labor.