Effects of the eco-development and irrigation project on rural households in Lao PDR : a case study in Beng district, Oudomxay province | |
| Author | Vilaythone Sunthone Xaymongkhonh |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-03-09 |
| Subject(s) | Households--Laos Poverty--Laos |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The main purpose of this study was to assess the effects of the Eco-Development and Irrigation (EDI) Project to rural households, which has been implementing in Oudomxay Province, Lao PDR. This project has been obtaining financial support from UNDP and UNCDF and the Government of Lao PDR covering the period during 1997 to 2003. Main objectives of the research were to to assess socio-economic characteristics of beneficiaries of the EDI project; to assess social, economic, institutional and environmental changes and effects from the EDI project to rural households; to obtain people's opinion, degree of benefits gain and satisfaction level of the EDI project; to identify problems, constraints and potentials of the EDI project; and to suggest recommendations to improve project implementation and future prospect for planning. The research was conducted in the two different geographical areas of two villages namely Nahom and Phakeo villages of Beng District, Oudonxay Province. The main data collection methods were questionnaire survey for rural households; key infomrnnts interview were used with project staffs government officer; group discussion with local leaders and project beneficiaries; and field observation on schools, health center, water supply, irrigation and income generating activities. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were applied in data analysis of this research. Main findings of this research showed that the rural households had positive changes to improve their household conditions. There was a very high level of changes and benefits gained among project beneficiaries particularly on water supply, primary-secondary school, latrine and training on land, water use and environment management. The highly positive effects to their living were found on social and institutional aspects. However, the economic aspect was at a moderate level of the effects as perceived by them from the two study villages. They had a very high level of satisfaction with the implementation of water supply, primary and secondary schools, latrine scheme, health center, non-formal education, rice cultivation, training on livestock and agriculture. Despite the high level of satisfaction level overall, certain problems were encountered in the project. Key of those were inadequate agriculture extension workers, short training period, delay in construction work, lack of appropriate technical equipment and inadequate seedlings. Based on the research findings, certain recommendations were suggested to improve project implementation to be more effective. These included the provision of more facilities and equipment to school, health center, non-formal education, recruitment of more teachers, medical personnel and agriculture extension workers, regular maintenance all those infrastructure projects, expansion of more irrigation facilities, water tap and numbers of latrine to villagers, promoting additional income generating activities, improved agriculture and livestock production with regular vaccination, provision of more technical training and extension services by government side or donor agencies organization, empowering women beneficiaries to join more activities. Due to several ongoing activities, the research suggested the donors (UNDP and UNCDF) to extend their technical and financial support to the EDI Project for three to four years more to improve the future project implementation and generate more viable benefits and impacts to rural people in the study area. |
| Year | 2003 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Sorparth Pongquan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Wickramanayake, B. W. E.;Kusakabe, Kyoko |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Norway (NORAD) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003 |