| Author | Sihanath Nhoungthong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AC-99-19 |
| Subject(s) | Livestock systems--Laos
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AC-99-19 |
| Abstract | A study of livestock systems potential in small holder farming system was conducted in six representative villages of the low land area in Khanthabouli District, Savannakhet Province. The aim of the study has been to achieve in depth understanding of present low land agriculture by assessing the strength and the weakness of prevailing livestock production systems. Which leads to formulation of appropriate strategies and technical recommendation to improve the livestock production systems. The survey revealed that the current low land rice production system in rainfed and irrigated dry season practiced by farmers provides marginal return of labor. However, per hectare rice yield of paddy rice in rainfed area was reported with an average of 2,600 kg/ha and second crop during the dry season of 3,800 kg/ha average. Moreover, the return on labor of wet season crop was 0.60-1.30 US$ per labor-day and 1.20-1.60 US$ per labor-day of the second crop (irrigated dry season). The livestock played a very important role in maintaining the sustainability of low land paddy rice farming system, its central role in generating family cash income, providing protein food, transport goods, draft power used for crop cultivation, manure for crop production, utilizing crop residues, and providing a form of insurance or saving for farm household. However, livestock husbandry practices are still relying on the nature ( free range systems and some permanent in paddock all year round) with minimum inputs and thus have resulted high mortality rate and eventually low productivity. Management of production system have been lacking in disease prevention, feed management, breeding and lack of credit facilities. Based on the family income in the household of the study area, livestock ranks second in importance after rice. However, the total annual family cash income per household in the study area was recorded 44% from crop, 32% from animal sale and 24% from non-farm and off-farm works. The finding and discussion leads to seven models of an integrated crop and livestock production in small holder farming systems. These farming system types are: (1) subsistence paddy farming system; (2) mix crop-livestock farming system; (3) market oriented paddy farming system; (4) free-range livestock production system managed by individual farmers with minimum inputs; (5) free-range livestock production system managed by farmers with additional inputs; (6) free-range livestock production system managed by farmers with regular care and; (7) permanent penning livestock production system in paddock managed by farmers with regular care. Therefore, development of sustainable livestock-based low land paddy rice farming system for the improvement of the systems depends on the identification and integration of appropriate technology such as management, feed resources (forage), breeding of native animals and animal health with the existing socio-economic realities within the system. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AC-99-19 |
| 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, Conservation and Rural Development (AC) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shivakoti, G. P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Hansen, G.K.;Demaine, H.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |