Economical evaluations of Conservation Agriculture cropping systems concerning maize cash-crop in Xayabury Province, Lao PDR. Chanthasone Khamxaykhay, NAFRI, NCAC Khamkéo Panyasiri, NAFRI, NCAC Patrice Autfray, CIRAD, NCAC

Plan: Economic studies of maize cash-crops in Lao, PDR PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province Results of the survey done in 3 districts On-farm trials (6 years) On research-managed experiments (4 years) Conclusion

Annual rainfall : mean of 1250 mm > 7 months, from april to end of september Soils with high level of fertility in Kenthao & Paklay districts whereas Boten district soils are fragile (sandystone). 17°42’N 3southern districts: Paklay Kenthao Botène Xayabury (Mekong corridor)

Since the 1990s, traditional farming systems have changed through extensive and intensive agricultural development based on cash crops. The current agriculture practiced is largely opportunistic, following Thai market demand and is promoted by transfer of technologies from Thailand (heavy mechanisation, pesticides, hybrid seeds).

The expansion of this agriculture has obviously positive economical effect by generating relatively high rural income on short term… BUT this development induces several costs: - Soil erosion, production potentialities degradation - Infrastructures degradation - Human health degradation - Increasing of natural risks on livelihoods vulnerability

First Chapter: Economic studies of maize cash-crops in Lao, PDR PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province Results of the survey done in 3 districts On-farm trials (6 years) On research-managed experiments (4 years) Conclusion

First Chapter: PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province From 2002 to 2008 In Xayabury focus on 3 districts in the South

First Chapter: PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province Many negative externalities Degraded area Export to Thailand: cotton then maize Heavy mechanization Maize market organized both by thai and lao traders

Degraded area

Export to Thailand: cotton then maize

First Chapter: PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province; Stakeholders involved Research (PRONAE) Development (PASS) Provincial authorities Traders Farmers‘organizations

Second Chapter: Results of Survey; factor contributing to CA adoption PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province Results of the survey done in 3 districts On-farm trials (6 years) On research-managed experiments (4 years) Conclusion

Second Chapter: Results of Survey; factor contributing to CA adaption The level of CA adoption was higher in Boten District Households In 2008

Second Chapter: Results of Survey; factor contributing to CA adaption Why the level of CA adoption was higher in Boten District ? Area Maize Potential Rock Slopes Mechanization Farmers incomes % Legumes Boten Low Sandstone Slopy and hilly Low and heavy Medium 23 Kenthao Old basic Hilly and slopy Heavy High 9 Paklay Shale Gently hills Very high

Third Chapter: Results of On-farm trials; comparison of conventional and CA maize PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province Results of the survey done in 3 districts On-farm trials (6 years) On research-managed experiments (4 years) Conclusion

Third Chapter: Results of On-farm trials; comparison of conventional and CA maize Large plots Pair comparison of conventional and CA maize monocropping 6-year study: no effect on year factor 4 locations: effect on location We mix all years and all locations to do the comparison

Third Chapter: Results of On-farm trials; conventional vs. CA b a b ns

Third Chapter: Results of On-farm trials; conventional vs. CA Maize yeild ns

Third Chapter: Results of On-farm trials; conventional + CA ; village factor Maize yield b c Nahin Houaylod

Third Chapter: Results of On-farm trials; conventional + CA; year factor Maize yield ns

Fourth Chapter: Results of On research-managed experiments (4 years) PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province Results of the survey done in 3 districts On-farm trials (6 years) On research-managed experiments (4 years) Conclusion

Fourth Chapter: Results of On research-managed experiments (4 years) Different DMC (best CA technologies) Criss-cross design With different level of fertilization We compared only 3 treatments with no fertilization Conventional maize mono-cropping Conservation Agriculture with maize mono-cropping Conservation Agriculture with maize / rice-bean rotation During 4 years and 4 locations

Fourth Chapter: Results of On research-managed experiments (4 years) Maize yield b a a

Fifth Chapter: Conclusion PRONAE Project in Xayabury Province Results of the survey done in 3 districts On-farm trials (6 years) On research-managed experiments (4 years) Conclusion

Fifth Chapter: Conclusion CA cropping could improve economic short term efficiency. Diversification and specifically legume integration in the case of cereal based cropping systems are one of the keys to agro-ecological efficiency during crop succession. Successful CA experiments had been performed as maize and rice-bean relay inter-cropping, that provided higher income as there were two harvests per year.

Maize and rice-bean relay inter-cropping

Maize and rice-bean relay inter-cropping

Thank you for your attention