An impact assessment of farmers' acceptability of farming systems research activities in Namo District, Udomxay Province, Lao PDR | |
| Author | Chanphasouk Tanthaphone |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AS-07-26 |
| Subject(s) | Agricultural systems--Research--Laos--Udomxay Agricultural systems--Appropriate technology--Laos--Udomxay |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Agricultural Systems and engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-07-26 |
| Abstract | Lao-Swedish Upland Agriculture and Forestry Research Program (LSUAFRP) was launched in the Namo District, Udomxay Province, Lao P.D.R. in 2002, which is continued until to date. This study was focused on the assessment of the impact of LSUAFRP on knowledge generation and adoption of recommended technologies, and to identify communication gaps in order to rectify them and also to apply such experience for the other non-project participating villages. The data collection was mainly base on key information survey and household field survey in the project and non-project areas. The farming systems in the study area are diverse. Rice and vegetables in the lowlands and upland rice and perennial crops (rubber, fruits and agro-forestry) in the mountainous areas have been widely promoted. Higher cropping index and increasing households' gross income were evidence in the project villages compared to non-project villages. Mostly rice was combined with duck or fish in lowlands and perennial crops combined with maize or upland crops was introduced to uplands in the project supported areas. In the non-project areas, lowlands occupied by lowland rice, and uplands by either rubber or upland rice and some extents of maize. There was no difference in livestock types and systems between the two areas. There were many additional crops introduced (lychee, mango, pineapple, tangerine) and growing in the project area. Most of the farmers in project participating villages had better understanding on recommended farming practices and activities compared to that in the non-project area. There were gaps in knowledge and technology dissemination in the non-project areas, and the farmers in the project area received farmer training, study tours and information. Some recommended technologies by the project with on-farm experiments were not adopted by participating farmers in project area, while some abandoned and old technologies are seen still being used in these farms indicating that farmers select suitable technologies that match with their needs and resources. |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-07-26 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems (AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ranamukharachchi, S. L. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Jayasuriya, H.P.W.;Shivakoti, Ganesh P. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Lao PDR |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |