“Overview of Rubber Situation in Laos” By Vongpaphane Manivong Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Laos

Contents Dynamic changes in Laos Rubber boom in Laos Current rubber planting arrangements in Laos Current government strategies Observations Sector prospects

Drivers of rubber industry in Laos Moving from ‘land locked to land linked’ Investor interest in Laos as the ‘orchard of Asia’ Government policy to turn ‘land into capital’

Agriculture & Forestry Sector Strategy  Goal 1: Food Production – Increase agriculture & forestry GDP growth rate 3.4% annually – Maintain the level of food production at kg per capita per year; corresponds to 3.3 million tons of paddy rice by 2010 – Increase quantity of food in the 47 poorest districts; equivalent to national level (350 kg per person per annum) – Increase production of meat, eggs, fish, & fresh milk by 5% annually; average consumption demand of kg per capita per year  Goal 2: Commercial Production – Supply raw materials & agriculture & forestry products to processing industries & the service sector – Increase export share of agriculture & forestry products to 1/3 (approximately US$1 billion) of the total export value of commercial & services sectors (US$3.48 billion) by 2010  Goal 3: Stabilizing Slash-and-Burn Cultivation – Total end of shifting cultivation practices by 2010 – Focus on 47 poorest districts; link to rural development, poverty reduction & environmental protection  Goal 4: Sustainable Forest Management – Balance between exploitation, utilization, and protection/conservation of forest – Increase forest cover from current 41.5% to 53% (9 million ha to 12 million ha) of total land area by 2010

Current rubber planting areas in Laos In the North, Louang Namtha, Phongsali, Bokeo, Oudomxai, Xaignabouri are the key rubber planting provinces In Vientiane Province, Bholikhamxai and Savannakhet a combination of plantation and small holder rubber is emerging In the southern provinces, large scale plantations are competing with other land uses such as high value coffee plantations and mining and hyrdopower concerns

Rubber planting (ha) by province Area planted in 2007Area planted in 2008Plan for 2010 Northern16,55575,900166,500 Phongsaly1512,60026,400 Luangnamtha8,77021,70020,000 Bokeo7009,80025,000 Xayabouly705,20050,000 Oudomxay4,50017,10021,000 Luanprabang2,5009,50022,000 Houaphan002,100 Central2,95025,65034,360 Vientiane Capital Xiengkhuang05060 Vientiane1009,20010,000 Borikhamxay1,0005,1004,000 Khammouan1,5006,1006,300 Savannakhet2504,60014,000 Southern8,70039,00048,500 Saravan1,4004,7006,500 Champasak6,70020,10033,500 Xekong1006,2005,000 Attapeu5008,0003,500 Total28,205140,550249,360

Current ratio of rubber planting

Planting arrangements ArrangementsFarmers’ inputBenefits for farmers Smallholder Land Labor Capital All profit from latex and timber goes to farmer (farmer seeks market on their own) Contract farming Land Labor Profits from latex (not timber) sales are shared among farmers and investors (investors purchase products) Concession Labour Farmers are paid monthly wages

Current strategies of the Government Clarifying the concession rates and concession regulations Land use planning to support identification of agro-ecotypes that is most suited to rubber production Land titling for farmers planting rubber Developing rules and regulations for development of farmer groups and associations Improving R&D capacity to support smallholders (inter- cropping, recommendation for planting, variety selection, nursery development)

Observations Current support is driven by private sector Current government activities are project driven: – Technical inter-cropping trials (NAFRI) – Socio-economic and social/environmental studies (NAFRI, GTZ, NLMA, NERI, etc) – Technical reference materials (NAFRI/NAFES) There is still no institutional home for rubber development in Laos – No inter-institutional agency responsible for strategic planning for rubber – No R&D organization responsible for supporting smallholder farmers (credit, technical, processing, marketing, etc)

Sector prospects Opportunities Close market (China) Investor interest from China, Vietnam, Thailand Farmer interest Challenges Lack of coordination and strategic support from government agencies Lack of donor support programmes for rubber Farmer experience in planting, management and processing Uncertain germplasm could have impacts on quality and yields

Thank You