1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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).

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. Degraded area

10. Export to Thailand: cotton then maize

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. Maize and rice-bean relay inter-cropping

27. Maize and rice-bean relay inter-cropping

28. Thank you for your attention