1. Social Perspectives on Food Security in the Uplands of Northern Laos John B. Raintree Socioeconomics Unit LSUAFRP, NAFRI

2. Poverty Alleviation Livelihood Improvement Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Farming Systems Research/Extension NAFRI-LSUAFRP Research focuses on:

3. NAFRI-LSUAFRP Map Gallery Project Area North

4. PHONSAY Ethnic GroupsHouseholds Source of Population Increase Distinctive Characteristics HuaymanKhmu, Hmong 51RelocationLongest period of rice shortage, least farmland, most forest plantation land, most socially stratified (10 landless families & 1 landlord) NamboHmong, Khmu, Lao Loum 55Spontaneous migration Most padi land/capita, greatest variety of cash crops, most innovative farmers, 10 Day Market ThaphoLao Loum118RelocationLargest village, 2 nd most padi land/capita, HuaymahaKhmu, Hmong 92RelocationMost hai/capita, largest relocated population, land disputes NAMO Namo NuaTai Dam82Pop. growthMost livestock/capita, 2 nd most paid land/capita, not a relocation village, old village, most developed income alternatives MixayHmong14RelocationSmallest village, sells hed daeng to China, needs community forestry Phousang 25Spontaneous migration Rare ethnic group, refused relocation, most swidden, longest fallows PangdouKhmu, Hmong 31RelocationLongest period of rice shortage PangthongHmong49RelocationMost padi land/capita, most innovative farmers

5. What you see depends on how you look Methods used in LSUARFP: Interdisciplinary social science methods based on concepts of Human Ecology Interdisciplinary diagnostic Analysis of Household & Village Livelihood Systems

6. HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD SYSTEM

7. BASIC NEEDS SUPPLY SYSTEMS  PRODUCTION SUBSYSTEMS (Components of Basic Needs Subsystems)

8. HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD SYSTEM BASIC NEEDS SUPPLY SYSTEMS  PRODUCTION SUBSYSTEMS (Components of Basic Needs Subsystems) Direct Needs (outputs consumed directly by the household) FOOD ENERGY SHELTER MEDICINE CASH SAVINGS/INVESTMENT Indirect Needs (major inputs for producing outputs that are consumed by the household) FEED FOR LIVESTOCK RAW MATERIAL FOR COTTAGE INDUSTRY

9. HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD SYSTEM BASIC NEEDS SUPPLY SYSTEMS  PRODUCTION SUBSYSTEMS (Components of Basic Needs Subsystems) Direct Needs (outputs consumed directly by the household) FOOD  Crops, livestock, fish, NTFPs, purchased foods ENERGY  Firewood from forests & fallows, crop residues, etc. SHELTER  Timber, NTFPs, purchased MEDICINE  Medicinal plants, purchased medicines CASH  Short term cash crops, livestock, NTFPs, cottage industries + SAVINGS/INVESTMENT  Long term savings/investments in livestock, trees, banks, farm improvements + Indirect Needs (major inputs for producing outputs that are consumed by the household) FEED FOR LIVESTOCK  Grasses, forage, crop residues, feed crops RAW MATERIAL FOR COTTAGE INDUSTRY  NTFPs, timber, crops, purchased materials

10. Diagnostic Results HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD SYSTEM BASIC NEEDS SUPPLY SYSTEMS  PRODUCTION SUBSYSTEMS (Components of Basic Needs Subsystems) Direct Needs (outputs consumed directly by the household) FOOD  Crops, livestock, fish, NTFPs, purchased foods ENERGY  Firewood from forests & fallows, crop residues, etc. SHELTER  Timber, NTFPs, purchased MEDICINE  Medicinal plants, purchased medicines CASH  Short term cash crops, livestock, NTFPs, cottage industries + SAVINGS/INVESTMENT  Long term savings/investments in livestock, trees, banks, farm improvements + Indirect Needs (major inputs for producing outputs that are consumed by the household) FEED FOR LIVESTOCK  Grasses, forage, crop residues, feed crops RAW MATERIAL FOR COTTAGE INDUSTRY  NTFPs, timber, crops, purchased materials

11. How serious is the food security problem in Namo and Phonsay?

12. Namo Average = 4.9 months

13. Phonsay Average = 6.4 months

14. Household Strategies for Food Security HH Objective: To have enough rice to eat every day Strategy 1 – To grow own rice Grow rice in padi Grow rice in padi Grow rice in hai Grow rice in hai Strategy 2 – To get money to buy rice Collect NTFPs to sell for money to buy rice Collect NTFPs to sell for money to buy rice Grow cash crops to sell for money to buy rice Grow cash crops to sell for money to buy rice Engage in trade to get money to buy rice Engage in trade to get money to buy rice Sell family labor for money to buy rice Sell family labor for money to buy rice Strategy 3 – To substitute other staple foods Collect wild foods to eat Collect wild foods to eat Grow other foods to eat (e.g. root crops, makdeuay, etc) Grow other foods to eat (e.g. root crops, makdeuay, etc) Get money to buy other foods to eat Get money to buy other foods to eat

15. HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD SYSTEM BASIC NEEDS SUPPLY SYSTEMS  PRODUCTION SUBSYSTEMS (Components of Basic Needs Subsystems) Direct Needs (outputs consumed directly by the household) FOOD  Crops, livestock, fish, NTFPs, purchased foods ENERGY  Firewood from forests & fallows, crop residues, etc. SHELTER  Timber, NTFPs, purchased MEDICINE  Medicinal plants, purchased medicines CASH  Short term cash crops, livestock, NTFPs, cottage industries + SAVINGS/INVESTMENT  Long term savings/investments in livestock, trees, banks, farm improvements + Indirect Needs (major inputs for producing outputs that are consumed by the household) FEED FOR LIVESTOCK  Grasses, forage, crop residues, feed crops RAW MATERIAL FOR COTTAGE INDUSTRY  NTFPs, timber, crops, purchased materials

16. HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOOD SYSTEM BASIC NEEDS SUPPLY SYSTEMS  PRODUCTION SUBSYSTEMS (Components of Basic Needs Subsystems) Direct Needs (outputs consumed directly by the household) FOOD  Crops, livestock, fish, NTFPs, purchased foods ENERGY  Firewood from forests & fallows, crop residues, etc. SHELTER  Timber, NTFPs, purchased MEDICINE  Medicinal plants, purchased medicines CASH  Short term cash crops, livestock, NTFPs, cottage industries + SAVINGS/INVESTMENT  Long term savings/investments in livestock, trees, banks, farm improvements + Indirect Needs (major inputs for producing outputs that are consumed by the household) FEED FOR LIVESTOCK  Grasses, forage, crop residues, feed crops RAW MATERIAL FOR COTTAGE INDUSTRY  NTFPs, timber, crops, purchased materials

17. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION Basic Problem

18. LOW RICE PRODUCTION INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION Production related problems & causes

19. LOW RICE PRODUCTION INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND Land problems

20. LOW RICE PRODUCTION INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE POPULATION GROWTH Population pressure -- a major driving force

21. LOW RICE PRODUCTION INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE POPULATION GROWTH LUP-LA ISSUES Administrative complications

22. LOW RICE PRODUCTION LOW & DECLINING SOIL FERTILITY INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION INCREASED WEED & PEST PROBLEMS REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE POPULATION GROWTH LUP-LA ISSUES SHORTENED FALLOWS Agroecological problems

23. LOW RICE PRODUCTION LOW & DECLINING SOIL FERTILITY INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION INSUFFICIENT HOUSEHOLD LABOR INCREASED WEED & PEST PROBLEMS NEED TO SELL LABOR LACK OF DRAFT ANIMALS REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE SHORTENED FALLOWS POPULATION GROWTH LUP-LA ISSUES GENDER IMBALANCE IN WORK Labor problems

24. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION LOW CASH INCOME Cash related problems & causes

25. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs LOW CASH INCOME POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES Cash related problems & causes

26. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE LOW CASH INCOME POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES POPULATION GROWTH Population pressure on natural resources

27. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES LACK OF ROADS POPULATION GROWTH Market related problems

28. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE POOR FEED QUALITY POPULATION GROWTH Livestock problems LACK OF ROADS

29. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE POOR FEED QUALITY POPULATION GROWTH Savings-investment problems LACK OF ROADS

30. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES POOR FEED QUALITY POPULATION GROWTH Savings-investment problems LACK OF ROADS

31. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT POPULATION GROWTH Extension support gap LACK OF ROADS

32. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT POPULATION GROWTH Research support gap LACK OF ROADS

33. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES LACK OF AFFORDABLE CREDIT POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT POPULATION GROWTH Institutional problems LACK OF ROADS

34. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES PERSISTENCE OF USURIAL AND RENT SEEKING INSTITUTIONS LACK OF AFFORDABLE CREDIT POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT POPULATION GROWTH Institutional problems LACK OF ROADS

35. INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES SLOW PACE OF MARKET REFORM & INVESTMENT PERSISTENCE OF USURIAL AND RENT SEEKING INSTITUTIONS LACK OF AFFORDABLE CREDIT POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT POPULATION GROWTH Institutional problems LACK OF ROADS

36. LOW RICE PRODUCTION POOR HEALTH SHORTENED FALLOWS REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND LOW & DECLINING SOIL FERTILITY INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs INSUFFICIENT HOUSEHOLD LABOR INCREASED WEED & PEST PROBLEMS RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME GENDER IMBALANCE IN WORK POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES NEED TO SELL LABOR SLOW PACE OF MARKET REFORM & INVESTMENT PERSISTENCE OF USURIAL AND RENT SEEKING INSTITUTIONS LACK OF AFFORDABLE CREDIT POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT LACK OF DRAFT ANIMALS POPULATION GROWTH LUP-LA ISSUES A complex of interrelated problems & syndromes LACK OF ROADS

37. LOW RICE PRODUCTION POOR HEALTH SHORTENED FALLOWS REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND LOW & DECLINING SOIL FERTILITY INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs INSUFFICIENT HOUSEHOLD LABOR INCREASED WEED & PEST PROBLEMS RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME GENDER IMBALANCE IN WORK POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LACK OF ROADS LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES NEED TO SELL LABOR SLOW PACE OF MARKET REFORM & INVESTMENT PERSISTENCE OF USURIAL AND RENT SEEKING INSTITUTIONS LACK OF AFFORDABLE CREDIT POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT LACK OF DRAFT ANIMALS POPULATION GROWTH LUP-LA ISSUES Conclusion for Donors and Policy Makers Interrelated problems of food security, require integrated solutions. Policy Dialogue Research Support Extension Support

38. LOW RICE PRODUCTION POOR HEALTH SHORTENED FALLOWS REDUCED ACCESS TO LAND LOW & DECLINING SOIL FERTILITY INSUFFICIENT RICE FOR HOUSESHOLD CONSUMPTION DECLINING AVAILABILITY OF NTFPs INSUFFICIENT HOUSEHOLD LABOR INCREASED WEED & PEST PROBLEMS RELOCATION & SPONTANEOUS MIGRATION INCREASED POPULATION PRESSURE INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS & INVESTMENT FUNDS LOW CASH INCOME GENDER IMBALANCE IN WORK POOR ACCESS TO MARKETS LOW LIVESTOCK NUMBERS POORLY DEVELOPED CASH CROP ALTERNATIVES LACK OF ROADS LOW PRICES DISEASE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN NEW INCOME SOURCES NEED TO SELL LABOR SLOW PACE OF MARKET REFORM & INVESTMENT PERSISTENCE OF USURIAL AND RENT SEEKING INSTITUTIONS LACK OF AFFORDABLE CREDIT POOR FEED QUALITY LACK OF RESEARCH SUPPORT LACK OF EXTENSION SUPPORT LACK OF DRAFT ANIMALS POPULATION GROWTH LUP-LA ISSUES Extension Support Policy Research Market Research Institutional Research Farming Systems R&E Conclusion for Researchers, Extensionists & Planners Interrelated problems of food security, require integrated solutions.

39. SOCIOECONOMICS SystemSubsystemProblems/causes Research Activity CapitalVillage Finance Lack of finance (capital) for investment in livestock, forestry, cropping Review of experience in LPDR (SE) LaborLabor saving Tools Lack of labor & low productivity of existing production systems (especially for women) Land use planning Land use planning Insufficient land for production & livelihoodsLand use planning study (LM, SE) Land disputes and problems in merging old and newly relocated villages Marketing Insufficient market access for export of goodsMarketing research (SE) Lack of confidence in markets Low and unstable prices of products Poorly developed distribution system (lack of choice of middlemen) Current research on social aspects of food insecurity and other livelihood problems

40. Future Research Indications Continuation of existing research-and-development lines In-depth diagnostic research to understand the nature and severity of food security problems (purposive sampling) In-depth household livelihood studies to understand how households are coping with food insecurity (nutritional adaptations?) and other problems (wealth-stratified sampling) Area-based studies at district level to understand the processes behind increased population pressure on resources (spontaneous migration, relocation, land use planning issues) Policy studies to understand how policy makers might better assist the Districts to achieve national goals in rural development, poverty alleviation and sustainable use of natural resources