Economics of Smallholder Rubber Production in Northern Laos

In response to demand from China, rubber smallholdings are being established by shifting cultivators in Northern Laos, encouraged by government land-use policy. We examine the economics of smallholder rubber production in an established rubbergrowing village and model the likely expansion of smallholder rubber in Northern Laos. Data were obtained from key informants, group interviews, direct observation, and a farm-household survey. Latex yields were estimated using the Bioeconomic Rubber Agroforestry Support System (BRASS). A financial model was developed to estimate the net present value for a representative rubber smallholding. This model was then combined with spatial data in a Geographical Information System (GIS) to predict the likely expansion of rubber based on resource quality and accessibility.smallholder rubber, Laos, commercialisation, bioeconomic modelling, land-use change, Crop Production/Industries,

Fair deal or ordeal? Enquiry into the sustainability of commercial banana production in the Lao PDR

The article discusses curriculum management changes while trying to respond to the challenge of learning personalisation in the field of lower-secondary education in Lithuania. The paper investigates what transformations learning personalisation might bring into educational practices and how they change regular curriculum management practices starting from learning environment, new roles of teachers, combining individual and group work in the classroom environment and development of new learning scenarios. This article is based on the findings of a case study of one of the Lithuanian lower secondary schools, when a new learning scenario was implemented creatively applying a digital storytelling method. The research indicates that students’ active classroom participation increased, driven by the personalised approach and the use of diverse digital media. The article reveals that learning personalisation supported by technologies brings changes to the classroom management practices and strengthens teacherstudent and peer-to-peer collaborationEdukologijos tyrimų institutasVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŠvietimo akademij

The Economic Potential for Smallholder Rubber Production in Northern Laos

Rubber smallholdings are being established by shifting cultivators in Northern Laos, in response to demand from China and encouraged by government land-use policy. This can be seen as part of a general transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture in the uplands in particular, from shifting cultivation to tree crop production. This study examines the economics of smallholder rubber production in an established rubber-growing village in Luangnamtha Province and models the likely expansion of smallholder rubber in the Province. Data were obtained from key informant interviews, group interviews, direct observation, and a farm-household survey. Latex yields were estimated using the Bioeconomic Rubber Agroforestry Support System (BRASS). A discounted cash flow (DCF) model was developed to estimate the net present value for a representative rubber smallholding. This model was then combined with spatial data in a Geographical Information System (GIS) to predict the likely expansion of rubber based on resource quality and accessibility. The study shows that, given current market conditions and credit support, investment in smallholder rubber production in the uplands of Northern Laos can be profitable. The results from the DCF analysis for the study village show that the expansion of rubber planting in that village is based on good economic returns. The spatial analysis indicates that the potential for rubber in the study village is not an isolated case; there are also other areas in Luangnamtha Province that appear to be economically suitable for rubber. Therefore, rubber can be considered as one of the potential alternatives for poor upland farmers, in line with the government policy of stabilising shifting cultivation and supporting new livelihood options for poverty reduction. However, there are risks associated with rubber production and emerging constraints of land and labour, hence government should move cautiously in promoting rubber where farmers are uncertain about reducing their dependence on shifting cultivation. The role for government, as in other countries where smallholder rubber has played a significant role in rural development, is to ensure the provision of good quality planting material, to assist financially during the long investment period when no income is generated, and to invest in roads and marketing infrastructure. In particular, maintaining secure access to the China market will be crucial for the sustainability of smallholder rubber in Northern Laos. If carefully managed, the expansion of smallholder rubber in Laos has the potential to contribute to sustainable rural livelihoods

BILAN 2003.20

onderzoeksrappor

Economics of Smallholder Rubber Production in Northern Laos

In response to demand from China, rubber smallholdings are being established by shifting cultivators in Northern Laos, encouraged by government land-use policy. We examine the economics of smallholder rubber production in an established rubbergrowing village and model the likely expansion of smallholder rubber in Northern Laos. Data were obtained from key informants, group interviews, direct observation, and a farm-household survey. Latex yields were estimated using the Bioeconomic Rubber Agroforestry Support System (BRASS). A financial model was developed to estimate the net present value for a representative rubber smallholding. This model was then combined with spatial data in a Geographical Information System (GIS) to predict the likely expansion of rubber based on resource quality and accessibility

Intensification of lowland rice-based farming systems in Laos in the context of diversified rural livelihoods

The cultural and economic importance of paddy rice production for households in the lowlands of Lao PDR cannot be overstated. Annual rice production is viewed by households and the Government alike as an indicator of poverty and food security. Over the past decade the adoption of new technologies has resulted in productivity improvements in lowland rice systems, yet further gains are being sought to maintain national rice self-sufficiency. The Government of Laos has established optimistic yield targets for both the lowland rainfed and irrigated rice production systems. However, survey evidence shows that, despite the adoption of improved technologies, most rainfed farmers remain subsistence-oriented and there is a significant yield gap between the current situation and the proposed targets. The diversification of household livelihoods through wage migration has reduced farm labour availability and increased farm wages. At the same time, price fluctuations due to supply shocks and government responses have created a further disincentive to the intensification of rice production systems. An economic analysis of rainfed rice production suggests that given current conditions we are likely to continue to see the adoption of low-input, labour-efficient, and relatively stable rice production systems for most households, with small areas of high-input, commercially-oriented systems in favourable conditions. We argue that research and extension efforts should recognise this diversity of production systems and household livelihood strategies