| Author | Bounthene Phasiboriboun |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.HS-96-13 |
| Subject(s) | Rural development--Laos--Long Sane
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. HS-96-13 |
| Abstract | Laos is a developing countly where about 85 per cent of the multiethnic population live in the mral area, practicing mainly shifting cultivation for their subsistence. Shifting cultivation is the traditional way of production which has lead to steady depletion of forests and economic harship of people. The government has made some eff01ts to rehabilitate and regenerate forest area by stabilizing shifting cultivation and improving living standard of people. Many international agencies are involved in many rnral development act1v1tles. It is essential to assess the impact of such activities. Specifically, it is necessa1y to evaluate whether they have been able to achieve their objectives. The aim of this study is to find out employment and income situation, assess agriculture systems and land management practices, examine the food situation, evaluate health condition and education attainment in the study area. The findings related to socio-economic factors revealed that there is not much change in socio-economic condition of villagers. There are ve1y limited alternative employment and income oppo1tunities. Relatively fa1m and off-fa1m earnings in the UNDP project area are higher than in the non-project area. Likewise, the socio-economic condition of people in lowland and old settlements are better than those in upland and new settlements. Family planning program is relatively more sucessful in the project area. The average number of family members falling sick is relatively less in the project area which is closely linked to beter health and MCH se1vices and immunjzation program implemented there. The impact of better educational attainment is reflected in the change of various aspects of rural life, like early marriage practice, health practice and agdcultural activities. All the results show slightly better socio-economic condition in the project area than in the non-project area UNDP made eff01ts to develop the agricultural sector. However, there is no significant change in te1m of mode and condition of this sector with the situation in the non-project area. In order to solve the socio-economic problems in the study area, it is suggested to introduce offfa1m income generating activities and train faimers as entrepreneurs and establish small processing unit, it is necessa1y to offer them skill development and diversification training; the road transpmtation and effective marketing mechanism should be developed in order to facilitate the farmers; for sustainable rural development and environment conse1vation the government should reorganized some settlements mostly the upland fa1mers in which lack of pe1mauent cultivation and settled along the Nam Ngum Rese1voir to another place for pe1manent cultivation; the soil analysis is impo1tant for planning and implementing fruit or industtial trees planting and in sound of environment conse1vation; the investment in te1m of se1vices as tractors se1vice are imp01tant in te1m of modify from upland tice to paddy 1ice. The research on rat destroyed cereal crop is essential for improving living standard of the people. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. HS-96-13 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thapa, Gopal B; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Weber, Karl E.;Demaine, H.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Lao-German Forestry Project; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |