Livestock-based agroforestry as an alternative to shifting cultivation in Lao P.D.R. | |
| Author | Vanthong Phengvichith |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AS-97-24 |
| Subject(s) | Agroforestry--Laos Livestock--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. AS-97-24 |
| Abstract | A study of livestock based-agroforestly as an alternative to shifting cultivation was conducted in six representative villages of three Lao ethnic groups and three agroecosystems in Xieng Ngeung district, Luang Prabang province (northern Lao PDR.). The study was aim to achieve an in-depth of understanding present swidden-based agroecosystems with special consideration to assessment of the strength and weakness of prevailing livestock production systems that would lead to formulate appropriate strategical and technical recommendations to improve the livestock productivity of production systems. The field research study was undertaken during the period of 12 February to 27 March, 1997. The field survey was carried out by the interview of household's leaders and the key informants at the village level, with a total of 90 sampled households were surveyed. Numbers of socio-economic survey techniques including Participatory Rural Appraisal approach (PRA) was used for identification problems and needs for livestock productivity improvement. The survey revealed that the current upland rice production system practised by the swidden farmer provided only marginal returns on labour. Labour inputs for weeding have increased dramatically over the last decades because of shorter fallow cycles. Weed pressure is expected to increase further. Regulations on land use and increased population pressure, however, did not allow the shifting cultivators to maintain long fallow for weed management. The shortening of fallow periods have brought them into a rapid process of poverty if they did not have access to the other sources for production or income. The findings indicated that the average upland rice yield was only 1200 kg per hectare, so rice production yields from an average 1.5 to 2.00 hectares cultivated by a respondent household was 1800 kg to 2400 kg. Thus average rice production per family member was only 225-300 kg of the family consists of 7-8 people. Comparatively~ the national statistical estimation of rice requirement for a family member consumption was 350 kg per caput per year. Therefore, rice production at the present level of its productive yield can not insure their family sufficiency needs. Supplementary, the result of family cash expenses such as purchasing rice revealed in all villages in three agroecosystems, and especially, in upland purchasing rice was the first rank of their family cash expenses. Moreover, rice purchasing tended to be much higher in some bad years, because upland rice production was rainfed, and reduced yield caused by drought. Under this circumstance, emergency cash was needed by selling livestock, and cash earning from other sources of income. Many farmers in the upland and mountainous agroecosystems experienced to extensification their crop production by the increased production areas rather than the intensification of the productivity, because they did not know how, and lack of external supported systems. Their traditional extensification of production tended to be often required the increased demand of family labours. This can be concluded that if this continues further practising without the other supported systems, it will be soon collapsed, and the system is as such not sustainable. iii Livestock played very important role in maintaining the sustainability of swidden farming system, especially its central role was the generating family cash income (more than 50% of the family cash income), and providing protein food for family. However, livestock husbandry practices were still relying on the nature (free range systems) with minimal inputs and thus resulted high mortality rate, and eventually low productivity. Management of animal production system was severely lacking in disease prevention, feed management, breeding and lack of credit facilities. This was partly due to the lack of knowledge and lack of capital on the part of the framers, but also due to the inaccessibility of vaccinations and other technical support services. The findings indicated some potentials to improve livestock productivity through the improved diseases and parasite control and the adaptation of improved husbandry practices such as the improved stock breeding, feeding (protein quality), and animal housing. The proven of exiting agroforestry technologies packages, likewise the introduction of the forage development; different techniques for diseases and parasites control, and the existing indigenous technical knowledge of farmers were identified. However, there is a need for strengthening research and extension networks that enable to conduct on-farm trials or demonstrations and dissemination of these appropriate technology packages down to the grass root level. The intervention and adaptation of those technologies should getting farmers involved at the initial stage as possible. The participatory farming system research approach in which get farmers involved at the initial stage of research planning and until to the stage of the technology evaluation, and adoption will be an appropriate approach for technology transfer. The adaptation of the existing technologies should be generated on-farm to ensure social acceptability and economic viability. Therefore to develop sustainable livestock-based agroforestry for the shifting cultivators, three dimensions of planning are identified: the farm level; the sector or subsector level. Farm level planning should cover sustainable production systems, reduced risk, and increased nutrient cycling. Planning should be directed at farmer training, community or group formation, and extension for proper technology transfer. The sector or subsector levels should be involve policies on commodities, market prices incentives and technology. The regional level is responsible for co-ordinating the development of agroforestry and other agricultural development programmes which address environmental quality and land use. This is related to a number of factors such as land suitability, climate, socio-economic conditions and regional development needs. Sustainable livestock-based agroforestry development should be set in longer-run policy framework at all levels which involves the entire rural and regional economy. It should notice that problems relating to farm management can not and should not be isolated from the other socio-economic factors, such as health, water supply, education, communication and other infrastructure facilities. These all impact on the quality and quantity of farm labour available; market demand and access, and perhaps most importantly, to make them more sustainable and productive. |
| Year | 1997 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-97-24 |
| 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) | Hansen, Gunner ;Tinsley, Richard; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Demaine, Harvey ;Lantican, Celso; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danida ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997 |