agrarian land use transformation in northern laos -...
TRANSCRIPT
Agrarian land use transformation in Northern Laos
Sithong Thongmanivong and Khamla Phanvilay, Faculty of Forestry
Yayoi Fujita, LSUAFRPJefferson Fox, East West Center
Sustainable Sloping Lands and Watershed Management Workshop
Luang Prabang, December 2006
Presentation outlines
• Objectives of the study • Research question and
Methodologies• Main findings• Discussion and future
considerations for research
Objectives
• Understand the impact of land use change on local resource tenure and local livelihood
• Investigate driving forces (i.e. government policies, population, economy)
Study Area
Thailand
Laos
China
Myanmar Vietnam
Cambodia
Myanmar
China
Louang Namtha
Bokeo Province
Thailand
Background: northern Laos
• High poverty incidence among rural population
• Transition from subsistence to market economy
• Integration to regional economies
Background: northern Laos
• Implementation of government policies on – Land and forest allocation
– shifting cultivation
– Opium abolition
Research questions
• What is the current land use pattern along the new Economic Corridor?
• How does demographic change affect natural resources and land use?
• What are the driving forces of farmer’s decisions on land use and farming system?
Research method
• Spatial analysis– Demographic change– Land use change
• Policy review• Village land use
history• Village and household
survey (i.e. cognitive mapping, interviews)
Data collection
• Spatial data: Landsat, Aster, DEM, village location, Census data
• Agricultural statistic (e.g. NSC, MAF, PAFO, DAFEO)
• Village and household interviews • Cognitive maps on factors that lead to
planting rubber
Preliminary findings
Demographic change Sing District
Sing DistrictEthnic distribution
Ethnic 1995 Ethnic 2005
ETHNIC GROUPDistrict boundary
OTHER FEATURES µRoad network 0 10 205 KM
Akha Dam, Phunoi Hmong Khmu
Leu Lue, Nua Nua Mien Mekong River
Viengphoukha DistrictDemographic change
Population 1995 Population 2005
POPULATION
< 200 201 - 500 501 - 1000 > 1000 National high wayDistrict boundary
OTHER FEATURES
0 10 205 kM
µRoad network
Viengphoukha DistrictEthnic distribution
Ethnic 1995 Ethnic 2005
ETHNICNational high wayDistrict boundary
OTHER FEATURES
0 10 205 kM
µHmongAkha
KuiLeu Leu and KuiMix
YangKhmuKhmu and Kui Road network
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1973 1986 1988 1991 1992 1993 1999 2000 2004
% o
f are
a ca
lcul
ated
Forest Non-forest
Forestcover change Sing District
0 6 123 Km µ
LegendForestGrass landLowland agricultureSecondary forestUpland agricultureWater
District boundaryDistrict centre
0 6 123 Km µ
LegendForestGrass landLowland agricultureSecondary forestUpland agricultureWater
District boundaryDistrict centre
Landuse change Sing District
Landuse 2000 Landuse 2005
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
ETM+ 2000 Aster 2005
Thou
sand
s Forest denseSecondary forestGrass and shrubsUpland agricultureLowland agriculture
Landuse Change
Area of rice production Unit: ha
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Luang Namtha Bokeo Luang Namtha Bokeo
Paddy rice Upland rice
Thou
sand
s 19851990199520002004
Maize and sugarcane production Unit: ton
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Luang Namtha Bokeo Luang Namtha Bokeo
Maize Sugarcane
Thou
sand
s
1985
1990
1995
2000
2003
Rubber plantation [ ha ]
0
5
10
15
20
25
Luang Namtha Bokeo
Thou
sand
s
Existing
P lan to 2010
• Concentration of population along the road in lower elevation
• Conversion of swidden and fallow forest to permanent agricultural land
• Increased privatization of resources, and competition over land
• From multiple livelihood options to selecting key livelihood activities
Discussion: observed trend
Challenges for future research
• Impact of agricultural commercialization in uplands on forest and watershed
• Impact of agricultural commercialization and privatization of land on communal resource management practice
• Changing patterns of livelihood basis• Gaps of information and policy
implementation• Cross border trade issues
Thanks for your kind attention