Livelihood Activities of Swiddeners Under the Transition of Swidden Agriculture: A Case Study in a Khmu Village, Northern Laos

This document offers a case study on the effects of land allocation policies on the traditional swidden agriculture practices of the Khmu people in Northern Laos. It focuses on the impacts of the Land Allocation Programme (LAP) and the resulting shift towards semicommercialized farming. This analysis is valuable for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working on sustainable agriculture and rural development in similar contexts.

Key Insights

Impact of Land Allocation Programme (LAP)

The Land Allocation Programme, implemented in 2011, significantly limited the land available for traditional swidden cultivation in the Khmu area of Northern Laos. This policy created difficulties for villagers to continue their traditional farming practices.

Shift Towards Semicommercialized Practices

Due to the limitations imposed by the LAP, a notable shift from traditional subsistence farming to semicommercialized practices has occurred. Villagers are increasingly involved in the production of cash crops alongside traditional crops.

Role of Swidden Cultivation in Livelihoods

Swidden cultivation remains a crucial element in the livelihoods of the Khmu people, providing both subsistence and income. The shift to semicommercialized practices has implications for food security, income generation, and environmental sustainability.

Importance of Community Participation

The study emphasizes the importance of community participation in government planning and policy-making related to swidden cultivation. Understanding the local context and involving the community is essential for effective and sustainable policies.

Restriction of Swidden Agriculture

Restriction of swidden agriculture is one of the current legal forest preservation activities in Laos (Government of Laos [GOL] 2007). Attempts have been made by the government of Laos to “eradicate,” or at least reduce, swidden cultivation since 1975 through a village relocation policy due to security concerns, and through a “shifting cultivation eradication policy” and a land and forest allocation program (Kenney-Lazar no date; Higashi 2015; Kameda 2015).

Fallow Period Reduction

The mean fallow period for swidden agriculture in northern Laos decreased from around 20 years in the 1970s to around 5 years in the 1990s (Roder 1997).

Land Allocation

Based on the designations of the LFA program initiated in the village in 2011, there is a livestock breeding zone (385.57 ha) assigned on the north side of the stream, and forests are protected for watershed management (131.66 ha) along its small tributaries. The forests around the settlement area are managed for utilization purposes (141.39 ha). Conservation forests occupy about 166.28 ha in the southwestern part of the village. Most of the permanent farms (108.09 ha) lie along the main road. In addition, there is a rubber plantation of 131.88 ha, and 789.23 ha is utilized for swidden cultivation in the remaining part of the village (Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office [PAFO] 2011).

Key Statistics & Data

• Estimates suggest nearly 50% of land area in Southeast Asia is under swidden (Spencer 1966; Schmidt-Vogt et al. 2009; Ellen 2012).
• The mean fallow period for swidden agriculture in Northern Laos decreased from around 20 years in the 1970s to around 5 years in the 1990s (Roder 1997).
• Area harvested and yield of maize markedly increased since 2008, based on commodity prices (Fig. 11.3).
• In 2013, the average rice production and consumption per household were 1816 and 1095 kg, respectively.
• In 2013, seven households were producing black rice

Methodology

This case study was conducted in S village in Viengkham District, Luang Prabang Province, Northern Laos. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered to all 65 households in the village in September 2014. The study analyzed land use, agricultural crop production, and income-generating activities.

Implications and Conclusions

The study concludes that swidden agriculture continues to play an important role in the livelihoods of the Khmu people, even amidst policy changes and the shift towards semicommercialized practices. It emphasizes the need for integrated approaches that consider the role of swidden fallows in carbon stock accumulation for future REDD+ planning. The study also calls for the importance of local community participation in agricultural planning to ensure sustainable and equitable outcomes.