Animal Raising Systems Report: Hmong Villages in Kham and Khoun Districts Xieng Khouang Province Lao PDR April 6, 2006 By Parlato, F. Steve

LWR Engineering Quality Water Solutions PO Box 9399 Vientiane, Laos ph: 856-21-264-152 fax: 856-21-213-608

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Acknowledgements:

A special thanks to the Mekong Minority Foundation in Chiang Rai Thailand for its support and help in seeing this project move forward. Apisit SEKSANTISAKUL gave very energetically to teaching and animating project staff. Your great cultural insights and experience working with farmers provided many helpful insights. A special thanks to the many experts and government staff who gave willingly of their time and experiences to help provide information for this report. Abbreviations Used in this report: ACIAR Australian Center for International Agricultural Research ADB Asian Development Bank AED Agro-Enterprise Development CBSLSP Capacity Building for Smallholder Livestock Systems Project CIAT Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical CRWRC Christian Reformed World Relief Committee DAFO District Agriculture and Forestry Office FLSP Forage and Livestock Systems Project FSP Forages for Smallholders Project HLN Huayloun village in Khoun district of Xieng Khouang Province NFE Non Formal Education NTFP Non-Timber Forest Products NTM Namthoum village in Kham district of Xieng Khouang Province PADTEC Participatory Development Training Centre PAFO Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office PDR People’s Democratic Republic as in the Lao PDR PHE Primary Health Education SADU Small Scale Agro-Enterprise Development for the Uplands Project PLDP Participatory Livestock Development Project PRA participatory rural appraisal PPA Participatory Poverty Assessment PAR Participatory Action Research PPA Participatory Planning for Action - Implementation PAE Participatory Action and Evaluation. XKH Xieng Khouang Province of the Lao PDR

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Table of Contents

Page 1. Executive Summary 3 2. Data collection Methodologies 5

a. Initial project PRA activities 2003 5 b. March 13-16, 2006 Livestock Survey Methodology 7

3. Animal Raising Survey of NTM and HLN Villages 9 a. March 10, 2006 Staff Training event 9 b. Participatory Activities in the Village 11 c. Village Data 13 d. Observations and Conclusions from Village Survey Data 24

- Animal Raising in XKH 24 - NTFP’s 24 - Turkeys 25 - Existing Forages 25 - Fisheries 27 - Vaccinations and Cold Chain 27 - Peanut shelling Machines 28 - Land ownership 28

4. Hmong Culture and Animal Raising 30 5. Agro-Market Opportunities in Kham and Khoun Districts 30

a. Agro-Market Information and Villager Understanding 30 b. Findings from the Market survey 41

6. Lessons Learned from Related Projects 41 a. Best Forages in XKH 41 b. Small Scale Agro-Enterprise Development 45 c. Top Agricultural Products in XKH 45

7. Conclusions and Recommendations to the project 46

Appendices Appendix I Annotated Bibliography Appendix II Interviews Conducted Appendix III Contact Information of Relevant Projects and People Appendix IV Hmong Forbidden Cultural Practices by Clan Appendix V Data Collection Forms used in Survey of Villages. Appendix VI Terms of Reference Appendix VII Advice Given to Project Staff Appendix VIII Village Maps Appendix IX Interviews with Local Agro businesses and Traders.

Table of Tables

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Table No. Page

2.1 NTM Villager Defined Economic categories (Jan 2003) 6 2.2 HLN Villager Defined Economic Categories (Jan 2003) 6 3.1 Animal Statistics Comparing 1999, 2006 Jan and March surveys for NTM Village, Kham District, XKH 14 3.2 Animal Management Practices in NTM Village Kham District XKH 15 3.3 Principle Animal Diseases NTM village Kham District XKH 16 3.4 Villager wisdom Related to Treating Cattle and Water Buffalo Diseases NTM Village Kham District XKH 17 3.5 Villager Practices in Selecting Animals for Purchase – NTM Village Kham District XKH 18 3.6 Animal Statistics Comparing 1999, 2006 Jan and March surveys for HLN, Khoun District, XKH 19 3.7 Animal Management Huayloun Village, Khoun District, XKH 20 3.8 Main Animal Diseases Huayloun Village, Khoun District, XKH 21 3.9 Village Wisdom in Animal Treatment HLN, Khoun District, XKH 22 3.10 Villager Practices in selecting animals for purchase in HLN 22 3.11 Top Animal Raising Problems other than disease for HLN 23 3.12 Villager wisdom regarding Animal breeding Practices HLN, Khoun District, XKH 24 5.1 HLN Pathways to Market 31 5.2 NTM Pathways to Market 32 5.3 Traders who come to HLN, Khoon District, XKH 33 5.4 Prices of meat in nearby market as HLN villagers reported. 33 5.5 HLN Villager Rated Top Agricultural Products 33 5.6 Traders who come to NTM Village According to Villager Interview 34 5.7 NTM Villager Understanding of Meat Prices in Nearby Markets 35 5.8 NTM Villager Rated Top Agricultural Products. 35 5.9 District Recognized Purchasers of Agriculture Products and NTFP’s Kham District XKH 36 5.10 District Recognized Purchasers of Agriculture Products and NTFP’s Khoun District XKH 37 5.11 Meat Sellers in Kham District Town 38 5.12 Meat Sellers in Tah Joke Market 39 5.13 Meat Sellers in Khoun District town. 40

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1. Executive Summary The animal raising systems in Hmong villages of Kham and Khoon districts are the most significant part of people’s livelihoods. Making improvements to the animal raising system holds significant potential for improving people’s livelihoods. Currently animals are raised without any preventative vaccinations, free ranged in the mountains and suffer significant losses due to disease and secondarily from lost and stolen animals. Overall the animal raising system is opportunistic and realizes far less cash income than it could. However, the process of changing the current animal raising practices of Hmong villagers will be a long term, step by step process of change beginning with the introduction of forages and veterinary training. This process of change will be greatly facilitated by capitalizing on local indigenous knowledge and following sound participatory development practices. In addition to owning lots of animals the Hmong possess significant insight in treating livestock, pigs, and poultry diseases using local herbal medicines including opium. Building on this knowledge base will yield significant results for sustainable rural development among the Hmong. There is a strong and growing market for meat both locally in Kham and Khoon districts and regionally. However, a large part of that market is passing by many of the upland farmers due to a lack of knowledge and connection to these market opportunities. In the coming years market advantage will be critical to making any impact on the livelihoods of upland Hmong farmers. Connecting villagers to these markets will be critical to the success of any technical interventions to animal raising at the village level. The process of data collection was studied which made it clear that the CRWRC staff have good skills at holding participatory meetings but have not adequately established a co-investor relationship with villagers and consequently do not implement all work with a participatory relationship. 2 . Data Collection and Methodologies. a. Initial project PRA activities 2003 In January 2003 several participatory rural appraisal (PRA) activities were conducted. The project document was drafted based on this initial survey. In late 2002 a foreign consultant trained staff in participatory methods presumably to prepare for this initial survey. Armed with a number of PRA tools, project staff conducted a rapid appraisal of the initial 12 target villages in Khoun and Kham district. The village administration leaders and other male heads of families were involved in group discussions. Separate women’s’ groups were held. The following 11 activities were done and provided much information useful for project activity design.

1) A village map which included some surrounding environmental features. 2) Annual work calendar. 3) Annual disease calendar indicating when human and animal diseases occur.

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4) Annual labor calendar. 5) Identification and prioritizing the top village problems. 6) Problem tree analysis of the top villager defined problems. 7) Three categories of economic status as defined by villagers 8) Typical income and expense recordation for 2 sample families in each of the three

economic categories. 9) Basic information about the village administration. 10) Name list of everyone in the village. 11) Some key events in the history of the village (such as when the village was founded,

where people moved from and other major events such as disease outbreaks). The three categories of economic status provide a villager definition of poverty and wealth. Poverty was defined as those people in level 3. The indicators of poverty highlighted the felt needs of villagers and suggested the areas of work that people would likely be motivated to invest energy and resources in solving. The following tables display the three levels of economic well being as defined by villagers in Namthoum village Kham district and Huayloun village of Khoun district. Table 2.1 Namthoum Villager Defined Economic categories (Jan 2003) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 1/ Over 1 HA of paddy 1/ Have less than 1 HA

paddy 1/ No paddy land

2/ Have more than 12 months of rice

2/ Less than 12 months of rice per year

2/ No information was given for this category

3/ Over 15 water buffalo 3/ Less than 10 water buffalo

3/ 0-2 water buffalo

4/ Over 20 cattle 4/ 19 or less cattle 4/ 0 -2 cattle 5/ Tin roof 5/ Normal house 5/ Roof not good 6/ Tractor 6/ Addicted to opium have

no money 7/ Rice mill Table 2.2 Huayloun Villager Defined Economic Categories (Jan 2003) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 1/ Over 1 HA paddy land 1/ No paddy fields but rice

is sufficient for year 1/ Upland rice only

2/ Have more than 12 months of rice and some to sell

2/ Enough rice for the year 2/ 6 months of rice shortage a year

3/ Over 15 cattle 3/ 10 or less cattle 3/ No cattle 4/ Over 5 water buffalo 4/ 3 or less water buffalo 4/ No water buffalos 5/ Over 20 pigs 5/ 12 or less pigs 5/ 3 or 4 pigs 6/ Over 50 poultry 6/ 20 or less poultry 6/ 5 or 10 poultry 7/ Rice mill 7/ Have rice mill No information given 8/ House with tin or tile roof

8/ Ordinary house No information given

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From these tables it is clear that for Hmong villagers in Kham and Khoun districts poverty is measured in terms of rice sufficiency and animal holdings. These two charts make it very clear that animal raising, particularly livestock, is very important in the minds of these villagers when measuring their economic well being. (Informal discussions during the March 13-16 livestock assessment reinforced this truth, that livestock are very important in the lives of these villagers). The January 2003 PRA survey of Huayloun village shows that for the 2000 – 2002 period villagers listed as first importance the deaths of 50-60 cattle and second, the loss of 13 young children due to stomach or diarrhea related problems. This suggests the possibility that the loss of cattle was seen as more damaging than the loss of children. During informal discussions during the March 15, 2006 visit to Huayloun village the loss of animals was recalled a number of times, as well as the ongoing problem of animal loss to disease. There was no mention made of the loss of children. The loss of livestock to disease certainly dominates in the thinking of local Hmong villagers in Huayloun village Khoun District. The countrywide Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA) 1 found a similar view reflected by rural upland farmers. “Livestock function as a savings mechanism to compensate for losses in times of need. The sale of one water buffalo can buy rice for a family of 4 for a year. The sale of a buffalo can pay a hospital bill and save a life, yet many villagers said they would rather die and leave the buffalo for their family. In discussion of health, villagers often preferred to discuss the diseases of their livestock rather than their own health.” Once the project officially began in June 2004 the data typed up from these initial visits guided the project in which interventions the project would do first. For example, roads would be completed before any serious cash crops were introduced. Families in level 2 or 3 economic status would receive priority when corn or soybean seeds were given out. b. March 13-16, 2006 Livestock Survey Methodology

The participatory activities were conducted in small groups of about 15 family leaders all of whom live near to each other. This utilized the group presence to cross check and ask for clarification from villagers. It was hoped that once people corporately realized we wanted actual and precise information they would be willing to share it. The group PRA activities focused on discussing areas which would most likely bring about a major change in peoples’ livelihoods by impacting livestock and small animal raising. The focus was on interventions to improve/alter the livestock raising systems currently used by villagers and secondly to study the market dynamics related to animal raising. Surveyed villages were selected in hopes of providing data which would be representative of all the target villages. Since all 12 original target villages are Hmong Daw there is quite a bit of similarity among target villages both economically, environmentally and culturally. This suggests that data collected will be representative for all villages. Staff were consulted to identify 2 villages for the survey. The criteria presented as to which villages to choose was as follows: 1Poverty in the Lao PDR Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA) October 2000 This report is an analysis of a country wide participatory study conducted by the State Planning Committee and funded by ADB. Section 1.4.1 Pg 6.

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1) One village from each district. 2) Each village should be representative of the economic level of the entire target area. 3) One village should have road access and one village should be located off a road. 4) The district should have no plans to relocate the village. 5) It must be a village where we would be likely to get the involvement of the entire

village. Some staff expressed concern that villagers were too busy for ‘their’ (the staffs’) work.

6) The village should have people who have moved in since the project began (people who voluntarily moved there, not those who were resettled through government relocation or fleeing troubles in other villages).

Based on these criteria, staff selected Namthoum village in Kham district and Huayloun village in Khoun district for our livestock survey. Villagers were contacted in advance to let them know that the project wanted to meet with family leaders. Upon arrival the project met first with a small group of 5 or 6 village leaders to explain that we were coming to study their animal raising so that activities could be designed in this area. It was explained that since the project had completed roads and GFS and had begun some agriculture inputs it was now time to move into livestock inputs. A village map was drawn in cooperation with the village leadership. The map divided the village into 3 groups such that every single household was represented. Having neighbors in the same group who were located near each other would encourage villagers to give accurate answers. Note: For this survey, “one agricultural holding” refers to all the individuals who live in one physical house. In a few cases a household was not present during the group discussion therefore their animal statistical data were collected by a personal interview after the group discussion was finished. These individual households were necessarily left out of discussions about market and indigenous knowledge. The three groups were each facilitated by a male staff person and a recorder. Each group of men discussed the following activities:

Animal statistics Animal management practices Indigenous knowledge Market Knowledge activity and map of product movements.

In the women’s group activities:

Daily activities chart to investigate women’s role in animal raising Market knowledge

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3. Animal Raising Survey of Namthoum and Huayloun Villages.

March 13-16, 2006

a. March 10, 2006 Training event with staff to prepare for data collection in village.

Session #1: 7:45 AM What is rural Development in our context here in XKH? Four groups discussed the topic and wrote their answers on poster paper. Each group then presented their results. Their definition had to be defended and clarified. Out of this discussion a consensus was reached as to what was meant by rural development. The Lao language version said:

The English translation: Rural Development is the ongoing process of change which improves livelihoods one step at a time in both material and psychological ways. The process of change is brought about by a variety of tools such as better technology, technical expertise and local indigenous knowledge. Comment on this activity: Two of the groups defined development as changing bad things into good things with no explanation of what was meant ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Although they could not define ‘good’ and ‘bad’, it was clear that some of the staff were sure villagers were in ‘bad’ situations and needed to be brought to ‘good’ situations.

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Session # 2 PAR The Participatory Action Research process was covered. The first step is to establish a three-way partner relationship. A true participatory development process will flow from establishing a good partnership between these three stakeholders. These three parties are: 1/ The project 2/ Transient Parties (Such as government, consultants or donors; stakeholders who have a temporary involvement in the project) 3/ The villagers The second step in the process is Participatory Problem Analysis. Participatory Rural Appraisal tools should be employed at this step. The January and February enumeration of the 20 target villages followed this process. Problem trees as a PRA tool to analyze field situations was presented. The class then participated in small groups to solve sample problems they are facing in the field. Problem trees were presented. The third step is: PPA Participatory Planning for Action - Implementation The fourth step is: PAE Participatory Action and Evaluation. The following discussion was of particular interest to all present. Judging by the comments made PAE was a new concept with wide application. Several examples were given by staff as to when PAE had not been followed and the fairly disastrous results that had occurred. Such as when they introduced pure bred pigs, simply based on their economic advantage when in fact no villagers had ever shown any interest. That entire input failed within two years. Session 3 below explains why this happened. Session # 3 Where does sustainable rural development start? 1/ From small to big 2/ From what is easy to what is difficult 3/ From what they alredy have 4/ From what they already know 5/ From what they have a desire to do. Session # 4 What is the role of CRWRC development workers? The following chart was drawn and explained:

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Observation: Various comments and questions by project staff made it clear that some still have the idea that their role as staff is to persuade (pressure) villagers to participate in their (project) work. This is all justified in peoples thinking as ‘good’ since development is inherently ‘good’. People like the idea of ‘leading’ villagers but clearly not in the sense that a coach leads a team, rather in the sense of, “I know better so you need to do what I say” Session # 5 Apisit did a demonstration of the data collection process to be used. Apisit explained what information we were looking for. He then helped staff think through the process of how to ask the questions and how to facilitate the group process. As mentioned in Section 2 conclusions, this was a weak area of previous collections. Through Apisit’s teaching, followed up with debriefs from each session, staff made some good progress in learning how to ask questions. b. Participatory Activities in the village. Purposes of each activity Animal statistical information was collected in small groups to provide some accountability for reporting and to make it clear to the whole group we were interested in actual numbers not approximations. Each group leader assured his group that no data would be used to report to the tax office but rather would instruct the project in making plans and designing future activities.

Participant: 1/ analysis of problems 2/ planning 3/ implementation and evaluation. Role of CRWRC

Staff in development process

Facilitator: create opportunities for villagers.

Coach: Give advice Lead, Help solve problems, Bridge, create conditions for

self change/Improvement.

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Animal statistics were collected to identify the importance of each type of animal to the livelihood system of the villagers. These statistics were also collected to provide a point of comparison to the January 2006 enumeration which covered some similar questions. Animal Management Practices were gathered to document problem areas in raising animals. This information also highlighted to villagers where the issues are and how big are they. Indigenous Knowledge questions: Defining and appreciating indigenous knowledge is critical to sustainable development. Staff were instructed to ask about indigenous knowledge in order to move them away from thinking they must bring all the answers and toward being inquisitive learners who respect villagers’ knowledge. It was hoped that by focusing them on villager knowledge the staff would begin to see themselves as “co-investors” with villagers in the development process. Market Knowledge activity: Knowledge of the current market is critical for success of any potential input the project might support in the future. Potential new income from future livestock production could be lost because of a poorly functioning local markets or simple ignorance of the opportunities and how to access them. The market knowledge activity was designed to evaluate what villagers understood about the agriculture market around them. To compliment the village level survey, market surveys were also conducted on the following three levels to give a bigger picture of the current market: 1/ District level animal husbandry personnel 2/ Companies and traders who purchase agricultural produce and livestock 3/ Interviews of the meat vendors in the area markets Daily Activities Chart – Women’s Group

Women are responsible for pig and poultry raising in the family. Information was gathered from the women to provide a point of contrast to the data collected from the men’s groups and to give insight into the problems and diseases associated with small animal

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raising. The purpose of this activity was also to give the female extension staff opportunity to establish themselves as ‘co-investors’ in the development process. It was hoped staff would have a chance to animate the women’s thinking about how to improve or alleviate their work load. All women in the village were invited to spend time in the activities. There was a broad representation from the village with about 25 women present. An informal atmosphere was created. The women were encouraged to share their requests, which would be shared with the male leadership of their village through the project staff. Not surprisingly the staff reported back to the village leaders that women wanted help to help lighten their work load. Almost all of them wished that men would look after the children while they cook dinner so that they could work quicker. c. Village Data The following pages detail in table form the data collected in the March 2006 enumeration. The first table below, Table 3.1, compares the animals per holding in Namthoum village (NTM) for all three enumerations mentioned earlier in this paper (1999, Jan 06, March 06). The number of cattle, water buffalo and pigs per holding are significantly different between the January 9, 2006 enumeration and the March 15, 2006 field visit. The comparison for Huayloun village (HLN- see Table 3.6) reveals that the average number of animals per holding are nearly identical between surveys. This is due to the experience level of the enumerators who did the various studies. The January 2006 animal enumeration was done by two inexperienced data collectors in NTM village while it was done by experienced data collectors in HLN village. The March village visits in both villages were done by experienced facilitators using participatory interviews in small groups. The January enumerations was done by interviewing family by family (see section 2 for a discussion about methodologies) Clearly the difference in quantitative data is in the experience level of those collecting the data. Both family by family interviews and small group PRA discussions are able to yield accurate quantitative data.

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TTaabbllee 33..11 AAnniimmaall SSttaattiissttiiccss CCoommppaarriinngg 11999999,, 22000066 JJaann aanndd MMaarrcchh ssuurrvveeyyss ffoorr NNaammtthhoouumm VViillllaaggee,, KKhhaamm DDiissttrriicctt,, XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee

CCeennssuuss CCaattttllee WWaatteerr

BBuuffffaalloo PPiiggss GGooaattss FFiisshhppoonnddss CChhiicckkeennss DDuucckkss TTuurrkkeeyyss HHoorrsseess

11999999 KKhhaamm DDiissttrriicctt AAnniimmaall cceennssuuss.. AAvveerraaggee ppeerr HHoollddiinngg **

44..22 22..55 33..00 22..33 2200 %% hhaavvee aa ppoonndd

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NNoott AAvvaaiillaabbllee

PPrroojjeecctt JJaannuuaarryy 99,, 22000066

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33..7755

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66..00

BBuullllss CCoowwss

2200 33 nnoonnee 33..77

33..33 NN//AA NN//AA

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## aanniimmaallss// ## hhoollddiinnggss

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AAvveerraaggee ppeerr hhoollddiinngg

44..66 22..22 33..77 NNoonnee NNoonnee 44..00 44..99 66..00 nnoonnee

** TTaakkeenn ffrroomm LLiivveessttoocckk SSeeccttoorr PPrrooffiillee ooff XXiieennggKKhhuuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee EEUU ffuunnddeedd pprroojjeecctt ““SSttrreennggtthheenniinngg ooff LLiivveessttoocckk SSeerrvviicceess aanndd EExxtteennssiioonn AAccttiivviittiieess AALLAA//9966//1199 FFeebbrruuaarryy 22000022 SSaavvaannhh HHAANNEEPPHHOOMM ppgg 5511--5566.. -- 5555 ooff 6655 hhoouusseehhoollddss ppaarrttiicciippaatteedd iinn tthhee MMaarrcchh 1155 ffiieelldd vviissiitt wwhhiillee aallll 6655 hhoouusseehhoolldd sseerree iinntteerrvviieewweedd iinn tthhee JJaannuuaarryy 99,, 22000066 eennuummeerraattiioonn..

1155

TTaabbllee 33..22 AAnniimmaall MMaannaaggeemmeenntt PPrraaccttiicceess iinn NNaammtthhoouumm VViillllaaggee KKhhaamm DDiissttrriicctt XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee dduurriinngg ppaasstt yyeeaarr..

## PPrroobblleemm CCaattttllee WWaatteerr BBuuffffaalloo PPiiggss TToottaall

11 EEaatteenn 44 00 88 1122 22 SSoolldd 88 33 2266 3377 33 KKiilllleedd ffoorr cceerreemmoonniieess 44 22 1166 2222 44 LLoosstt aanndd rreeaassoonn nnoott

ccoonnffiirrmmeedd 77 00 00 77

55 AAnniimmaallss kkiilllleedd 11 00 00 11 66 TThheefftt 22 00 00 22 77 DDiieedd ffrroomm DDiisseeaassee 1199 11 117711 119911 TToottaall 4455 66 222211 227722 TToottaall nnuummbbeerr ooff

AAnniimmaallss 220077 6655 112288

One of three groups in NTM village was not able to collect accurate data about the number of animals used in traditional religious ceremonies which makes the data for this item lower than the reality by about 1/3. This means rather than 22 animals sacrificed in traditional religious ceremonies it should be about 33. We can conclude that animal sales and animals used in traditional religious ceremonies are about the same. Animals lost, killed by other animals and theft is not a major problem in NTM village when compared to HLN village. This may indicate that there are fewer people who steal in their area or more likely it suggests better animal management practices by NTM village compared to HLN. Since NTM has a history of planting forages near the village more of the livestock is grazed near the village rather than exclusively free ranging farther from the village. Also during the rainy season anyone raising livestock near the village must pen their animals inside a community managed grazing area located near the village. These two practices in animal management undoubtedly explain why there are significantly lower loses here in NTM village than in HLN village and less than the normal loss as surveyed by other projects (see # 15,16,17) Over the last year in NTM village only 13% of animals which died from all causes realized cash income for villagers, which is disappointing since nearly all people interviewed stated that they raise animals for sale. More pigs died of disease in the past year in NTM village than there are pigs currently owned by the village. 77% of all pigs which dies from all causes during the last year dies from disease. This underscores the very high incidence of disease. Top Problems in raising animals other than disease in NTM village are: Fencing and the labor needed to look after animals. In the entire village only one individual mentioned that a lack of capital to purchase animals was a problem. From this overall silence it can be concluded that credit systems to secure more animals are not an issue.

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TTaabbllee 33..33 PPrriinncciippllee AAnniimmaall DDiisseeaasseess NNaammtthhoouumm vviillllaaggee KKhhaamm DDiissttrriicctt XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee 1133 MMaarrcchh 22000066

TThhiiss ssyymmbbooll iinnddiiccaatteess DDaattaa ffrroomm WWoommeenn’’ss ggrroouupp 00 MMeeaannss nnoo ddaattaa ccoolllleecctteedd

NNootteess rreeggaarrddiinngg aanniimmaall ddiisseeaasseess.. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia is variously refered to villagers as (Koh Deep) ÂçÉêÍ or (Dau Hom Luad) âÉ¿àäÝÓâÖìÜÈ. One of the symptoms is feces with blood. Some groups described this illness as bloody feces but it is likely Haemorrhagic Septicaemia. Symptoms associated with this disease: Swelling in gland under mouth. Feces watery and bloody. High fever. Another disease listed is simply “Fever and swelling” or Kai Buam æÁ‹Í×Ó. Symptoms: High fever (40 degrees) followed by neck and legs swelling up to double the size until the animal can not walk. Some animals will die before swelling occurs. Measles was described by villagers as ØÓàÀãÈà or simply ‘Red Spots’. This term is simply descriptive and not scientifically precise -Foot and Mouth Disease (¯¾¡À¯õº¨ìö¤Àìñ®) was not mentioned by NTM villagers but Kham district and province animal husbandry staff mention this as a common problem.

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HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa FFeevveerr aanndd SSwweelllliinngg HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa

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NNoo ggooaattss iinn vviillllaaggee CChhoolleerraa NNeeww CCaassttllee’’ss DDiisseeaassee

22 HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa BBllooooddyy DDiiaarrrrhheeaa

HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa BBllooooddyy DDiiaarrrrhheeaa

NNoo aannsswweerrss ggiivveenn NNoo ggooaattss iinn vviillllaaggee NNoo aannsswweerr ggiivveenn

33 00 00 PPiigg CChhoolleerraa RReedd bbaacckk

NNoo ggooaattss iinn vviillllaaggee NNeeww CCaassttllee’’ss DDiisseeaassee CChhoolleerraa

TTaabbllee 33..44 VViillllaaggeerr wwiissddoomm RReellaatteedd ttoo TTrreeaattiinngg CCaattttllee aanndd WWaatteerr BBuuffffaalloo DDiisseeaasseess NNaammtthhoouumm VViillllaaggee KKhhaamm DDiissttrriicctt XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee..

GGrroouupp TTrreeaattmmeenntt MMeetthhooddoollooggyy SSyymmppttoomm 11 11.. TTaakkee tthhee fflluuiidd ooff wwiilldd ssttaarr ffrruuiitt aanndd mmiixx iitt wwiitthh

lliimmee jjuuiiccee tthheenn ggiivvee ttoo aanniimmaall ttoo ddrriinnkk.. 22.. CChhoopp BBoonn** wwhhiicchh ggrroowwss oonn cclliiffffss ttoo aa ffiinnee

tteexxttuurree aanndd mmiixx wwiitthh ssaalltt tthheenn ggiivvee ttoo aanniimmaall ttoo eeaatt..

33.. MMiixx BBoonn wwhhiicchh ggrroowwss oonn tthhee cclliiffffss wwiitthh ooppiiuumm aanndd ggiivvee ttoo aanniimmaall ttoo ddrriinnkk..

44.. OOppiiuumm mmiixxeedd iinn wwaatteerr tthheenn ggiivveenn ttoo aanniimmaall ttoo ddrriinnkk

11.. FFoooott aanndd MMoouutthh DDiisseeaassee

22.. HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa

33.. BBllooooddyy DDiiaarrrrhheeaa 44.. CCoonnssttiippaattiioonn

22 UUssee BBoonn wwhhiicchh ggrroowwss oonn tthhee cclliiffffss aanndd mmiixx wwiitthh ooppiiuumm tthheenn ggiivvee ttoo tthhee aanniimmaall ttoo eeaatt..

MMiixx GGaauu--EEEE wwiitthh ooppiiuumm aanndd ggiivvee iinn ssmmaallll aammoouunnttss ttoo tthhee aanniimmaall ttoo eeaatt..

CCuutt uupp GGaauu--EEEE ffiinneellyy bbooiill oouutt tthhee jjuuiiccee aanndd iinnjjeecctt ddiirreeccttllyy iinnttoo tthhee wwoouunndd..

HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa

HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa BBooiillss oorr ootthheerr wwoouunnddss

33 UUssee ooppiiuumm wwiitthh ccaarree bbuutt nnoo ssppeecciiffiiccss aasskkeedd ffoorr.. HHSS -- aabboouutt 5500%% ssuucccceessss rraattee

TTaabbllee NNoottee **:: BBoonn iiss ccaalllleedd ÍÍÜÜÌÌÏÏàà iinn LLaaoo.. TThhiiss lleeaaffyy ppllaanntt iiss ccoommmmoonn iinn tthhee aarreeaa.. DDeessppiittee hhaavviinngg nnoo ““vviillllaaggee vveett””.. SSaaii DDaahh VVaanngg Äħ§©©ÈȾ¾¸̧ÈȾ¾¤¤ (( ggrroouupp 22)) iiss aann eellddeerrllyy mmaann wwiitthh ccoonnssiiddeerraabbllee sskkiillllss iinn ttrreeaattiinngg iillll aanniimmaallss uussiinngg vvaarriioouuss hheerrbbaall mmeeddiicciinneess.. HHee hhaass bbeeeenn wwiilllliinngg ttoo sshhaarree hhiiss iinnssiigghhttss wwiitthh ffeellllooww vviillllaaggeerrss aanndd nnooww mmaannyy aarree aawwaarree ooff hhiiss mmeetthhooddss aanndd hhaavvee hhaadd ssoommee ssuucccceessss iinn ttrreeaattiinngg aanniimmaall iillllnneesssseess aanndd wwoouunnddss.. BBllooooddyy ddiiaarrrrhheeaa iiss bbeeiinngg ttrreeaatteedd wwiitthh nneeaarrllyy 110000%% ssuucccceessss..

GGaauu--EEEE iiss aa ddaarrkk rreedd ttuubbeerr wwhhiicchh ggrroowwss iinn mmooiisstt ccoooolleerr cclliimmaatteess ooff LLaaooss.. ((sseeee pphhoottoo)) .. TThhee HHmmoonngg rreeffeerr ttoo tthhiiss bbyy iittss nnaammee iinn CChhiinneessee GGuuaa--eeee ((ÀÀ¿¿××ÜÜêê HHmmoonngg tteerrmm)) wwhhiillee tthhee LLaaoo pprroonnoouunnccee iitt aass GGaahhuu--eeee (( ¡¡¾¾¸̧ººšš LLaaoo tteerrmm)) TThhiiss ttuubbeerr iiss wweellll kknnooww aammoonngg tthhee LLaaoo wwhhoo ppuutt aa ssmmaallll ppoorrttiioonn iinnttoo tthheeiirr wwhhiisskkeeyy.. TThheeyy rreeppoorrtt iitt ggiivveess ssttrreennggtthh ttoo mmeenn aanndd iinnssuurreess tthheeiirr

vviirriilliittyy.. IItt iiss ccoommmmoonnllyy uusseedd

ttoo ttrreeaatt ssttoommaacchh aaiillmmeennttss aanndd bbllooooddyy ddiiaarrrrhheeaa iinn hhuummaannss aass wweellll aass lliivveessttoocckk.. TTaabbllee 33..55 VViillllaaggeerr PPrraaccttiicceess iinn SSeelleeccttiinngg AAnniimmaallss ffoorr PPuurrcchhaassee –– NNaammtthhoouumm VViillllaaggee KKhhaamm DDiissttrriicctt XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee..

1177

1188

SSeelleeccttiioonn MMeetthhooddoollooggyy GGrroouupp BBuullllss CCoowwss

11 OOvveerraallll LLaarrggee ssiizzee wwiitthh mmuussccuullaarr bbuuiilldd

OOvveerraallll ggoooodd llooookkss eexxaammppllee:: TThhee lleegg jjooiinnttss sshhoouulldd bbee ggoooodd llooookkiinngg

LLaarrggee ssiizzee LLaarrggee uuddddeerr ttoo iinnssuurree pplleennttyy ooff mmiillkk ttoo

ooffffsspprriinngg

22 TTaallll aanndd llaarrggee bbooddyy ssiizzee,, lloottss ooff mmuussccllee

SSttrroonngg HHaarrdd ssoolliidd mmuusscclleess,, aabbllee ttoo

rreessiisstt ddiisseeaassee

SShhoouulldd pprroodduuccee oonnee ooffffsspprriinngg eeaacchh yyeeaarr.. LLaarrggee uuddddeerr wwiitthh aatt lleeaasstt 44 tteeaattss

33 NNoo ddaattaa ccoolllleecctteedd NNoo ddaattaa ccoolllleecctteedd

The Hmong are known throughout XKH province for their superior cattle and fighting bulls. This suggests that some Hmong must have good means of selecting their animal stock. From interviews as listed in table 3.5 it is clear that there is a rudimentary but effective means of purchasing good animals, however there is less ability and control over breeding practices which will result in a weaker animal stock to choose from.

1199

TTaabbllee 33..66 AAnniimmaall SSttaattiissttiiccss CCoommppaarriinngg 11999999,, 22000066 JJaann aanndd MMaarrcchh ssuurrvveeyyss ffoorr HHuuaayylloouunn VViillllaaggee,, KKhhoouunn DDiissttrriicctt,, XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee

CCeennssuuss CCaattttllee WWaatteerr BBuuffffaalloo

PPiiggss GGooaattss FFiisshhppoonnddss CChhiicckkeennss DDuucckkss TTuurrkkeeyyss HHoorrsseess

11999999 KKhhoouunn DDiissttrriicctt AAnniimmaall cceennssuuss.. AAvveerraaggee ppeerr HHoollddiinngg **

44..66 33..00 33..22 33..88 4400 %% hhaavvee aa ppoonndd

1166..88 55..11 NNoott aavvaaiillaabbllee

((NN//AA))

NNoott AAvvaaiillaabbllee

((NN//AA))

JJaannuuaarryy 55,, 22000066 PPrroojjeecctt

eennuummeerraattiioonn ## aanniimmaallss ppeerr ##

hhoollddeerrss

330044//3388 4477//1166 330000//4422 3300//1100 22 HHAA**** 11000000//4422 5500//1122 NN//AA NN//AA

AAvveerraaggee ppeerr hhoollddiinngg JJaann 55,,

22000066 eennuummeerraattiioonn

88..99

BBuullllss CCoowwss FFiigghhttiinngg

33..33

BBuullllss CCoowwss

77..44 22..11 NN//AA 2233..88 44..22 NN// AA NN//AA

MMaarrcchh 1155,, 22000066 ffiieelldd vviissiitt

111199 116666 2200 2222 2288 226622 3300 99,,667700 mm22 662299 6600 nnoonnee 1100

## aanniimmaallss ppeerr ## hhoollddiinnggss

330055//3344 5500//1155 226622//3355 3300//1144 1111hhoollddiinnggss// 3366

662299//3300 6600//66 nnoonnee 1100//55

AAvveerraaggee//hhoollddiinngg 88..99 33..33 77..55 22..11 3311 %% 2211 1100 nnoonnee 22

FFoooottnnootteess ffoorr ttaabbllee 33..66 ((ccoonnttiinnuueedd oonnttoo nneexxtt ppaaggee)) • ** This 2 HA pond refers to the proposed village community pond site which to date has not been developed. A site visit to this site reveals

that the proposed pond would only 1.2 HA is fully developed. • Pg 68 -72 Taken from Livestock Sector Profile of XiengKhuang Province EU funded project “Strengthening of Livestock Services and

Extension Activities ALA/96/19 February 2002 Savanh HANEPHOM pg

• The number of households interviewed March 15, 2006 was 36 out of a total 42 households or 86% of entire village. There is a group of 5 houses located 8 kilometers away which did not participate in this visit. The plan is for these houses to move to the current village site. 8 of 13 households have moved to the main village site since the January 2003 PRA activities.

• Duang Dee was the enumerator for the January 5, 2006 enumeration and his family by family result of animal holdings are nearly identical to the group collected animal statistics of March 15, 2006. This illustrates that both the family by family approach and the small group method of data collection can produce accurate statistical information. The important factor is utilizing experienced data collection facilitators.

TTaabbllee 33..77 AAnniimmaall MMaannaaggeemmeenntt HHuuaayylloouunn VViillllaaggee,, KKhhoouunn DDiissttrriicctt,, XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee

This table clearly shows the primary reason people raise animals is for use in traditional religious ceremonies. Unlike in Namthoum village these numbers are quite accurate because of improved facilitation skills on the part of staff. Management practices show that loss from disease is about double the loss from theft. On the average 1.5 animals are used for religious ceremonies for every one animal which died from disease. Animal loss occurs primarily because animals range free in the forest areas specified by the village. The level of disease which occurs from free ranging practices is not clear but certainly is a contributing factor to the high loss. With better management practices it should be possible to double the number of animals which could be sold if the loss from disease, destruction from other animals and lost animals was reduced. “Animal theft” is left blank is because nobody was able to confirm theft as the cause of animal loss. However most suspect that almost all their ‘lost’ animals are in fact stolen. If this is true it is noteworthy that the number of animals stolen is nearly the amount that are actually sold. Nobody brands livestock as most felt it would not make any difference; stolen animals can be taken a long distance and sold or eaten in a short period of time, making the brand useless.

2200

## PPrroobblleemm CCaattttllee WWaatteerr BBuuffffaalloo

PPiiggss GGooaattss TToottaall

11 EEaatt 11 00 1188 55 2244 22 SSaallee 2255 99 1188 77 5599 33 RReelliiggiioouuss

cceerreemmoonniieess 1133 00 111144 33 113300

44 LLoosstt rreeaassoonn vveerriiffiieedd

55 22 2211 1133 4411

55 OOtthheerr aanniimmaallss ddeessttrrooyy

22 00 99 44 1155

66 TThheefftt 00 00 00 00 00 77 DDiieedd ffrroomm ddiisseeaassee 1144 66 6600 88 8888 TToottaall 6600 1177 224400 4400 335577 TToottaall ## AAnniimmaallss 330055 5500 226622 3300

TTaabbllee 33..88 MMaaiinn AAnniimmaall DDiisseeaasseess HHuuaayylloouunn VViillllaaggee,, KKhhoouunn DDiissttrriicctt,, XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee

DDiisseeaassee CCaattttllee WWaatteerr BBuuffffaalloo PPiiggss GGooaattss PPoouullttrryy HHoorrsseess ## 11 ddiisseeaassee

MMaannyy aanniimmaallss ddyyiinngg aatt oonnccee HHSS DDiiaarrrrhheeaa

MMaannyy aanniimmaallss ddyyiinngg aatt oonnccee HHSS DDiiaarrrrhheeaa

HHSS aanndd DDiiaarrrrhheeaa CChhoolleerraa HHSS

MMaannyy aanniimmaallss ddyyiinngg aatt oonnccee rraaiinnyy sseeaassoonn oorr ccoolldd sseeaassoonn ppiiggss hhaavvee wwoooobbllyy lleeggss wweeaakk lleeggss

00 MMaannyy aanniimmaallss ddyyiinngg aatt oonnccee NNeeww CCaassttlleess WWhhiittee DDiiaarrrrhheeaa

00

## 22 DDiisseeaassee

BBllooooddyy uurriinnee HHSS BBllooooddyy DDiiaarrrrhheeaa

LLiiccee HHSS BBllooooddyy UUrriinnee**

HHuurrtt lleegg LLuunngg aanndd lliivveerr ddiisseeaassee HHSS MMaannyy aanniimmaallss ddyyiinngg aatt oonnccee

FFoooott aanndd MMoouutthh DDiisseeaassee

00 DDiiggeessttiioonn ppaaiinnss 00 MMaannyy aanniimmaallss ddyyiinngg aatt oonnccee

PPaaiinnffuull TTeessttiicclleess

## 33 DDiisseeaassee

BBllooooddyy DDiiaarrhheeaa SSttiiffff lleeggss aanndd bbooddyy HHSS

BBllooooddyy DDiiaarrhheeaa SSttiiffff lleeggss aanndd bbooddyy HHSS

00 FFeevveerr wwiitthh rreedd wweellttss LLuunngg DDiisseeaassee 00

LLeeggss wweeaakk aanndd wwoooobbllyy

00 00 00 00

00

TThhiiss ssyymmbbooll iinnddiiccaatteess DDaattaa ffrroomm WWoommeenn’’ss ggrroouupp

00 mmeeaannss nnoo ddaattaa ccoolllleecctteedd HHSS iiss HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa NNootteess rreeggaarrddiinngg aanniimmaall ddiisseeaasseess.. ÂÂççÉÉêêÍÍ ((KKoohh DDeeeepp)) iiss aa llooccaall tteerrmm ffoorr ââÉÉ¿¿ààääÝÝÓÓââÖÖììÜÜÈÈ ((DDaaoo HHoomm LLuuaadd)) oorr HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa.. OOnnee ooff tthhee ssyymmppttoommss iiss ffeecceess wwiitthh bblloooodd.. SSoommee ggrroouuppss ddeessccrriibbeedd tthhiiss iillllnneessss aass bbllooooddyy ffeecceess bbuutt iitt iiss lliikkeellyy HHaaeemmoorrrrhhaaggiicc SSeeppttiiccaaeemmiiaa.. SSyymmppttoommss aassssoocciiaatteedd wwiitthh tthhiiss ddiisseeaassee:: SSwweelllliinngg iinn ggllaanndd uunnddeerr mmoouutthh.. FFeecceess wwaatteerryy aanndd bbllooooddyy.. HHiigghh ffeevveerr.. TThhee wwoommeenn’’ss ggrroouupp oonnllyy ddiissccuusssseedd ppiigg aanndd ppoouullttrryy ddiisseeaasseess aass tthheessee aarree tthhee aanniimmaallss tthheeyy aarree ttaakkiinngg ccaarree ooff..

TTaabbllee 33..99 VViillllaaggee WWiissddoomm iinn AAnniimmaall TTrreeaattmmeenntt HHuuaayylloouunn VViillllaaggee,, KKhhoouunn DDiissttrriicctt,, XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee

2211

GGrroouupp TTrreeaattmmeenntt MMeetthhooddoollooggyy SSyymmppttoomm

2222

11 11.. BBooiill wwiilldd ppiinneeaappppllee ssttaallkk aanndd bbooiill iitt.. TThhee fflluuiidd iiss ggiivveenn ttoo tthhee ccaattttllee ttoo eeaatt.. VVeerryy ggoooodd ssuucccceessss wwiitthh ttrreeaattmmeenntt ooff ccaattttllee wwiitthh bbllooooddyy rriinnee..

22.. BBooiill wwiilldd BBoonn mmiixxeedd wwiitthh ooppiiuumm aanndd ggiivvee ttoo aanniimmaall ttoo eeaatt..

33.. RRuubb oonn ddiieesseell ffuueell oorr rriiccee wwhhiisskkeeyy oonn tthhee aaffffeecctteedd aarreeaass..

11.. BBllooooddyy uurriinnee

22.. BBllooooddyy ffeecceess 33.. LLiiccee iinnffeessttaattiioonnss

22 BBooiill wwiilldd BBoonn mmiixxeedd wwiitthh ooppiiuumm aanndd ggiivvee ttoo aanniimmaall ttoo eeaatt..

BBllooooddyy DDiiaarrrrhheeaa

33 00 00 VViillllaaggeerrss wweerree aasskkeedd,, ““WWhheenn yyoouu hhaavvee aann aanniimmaall tthhaatt nneeeeddss mmeeddiiccaall ccaarree wwhhoo ddoo yyoouu sseeeekk oouutt??”” VViillllaaggeerrss iinn eevveerryy ggrroouupp aannsswweerreedd tthhaatt tthheeyy hhaavvee nnoo oonnee ttoo ggoo ttoo ffoorr ttrreeaattmmeenntt.. EEaacchh ppeerrssoonn mmuusstt hhaannddllee ttrreeaattmmeenntt bbyy tthheemmsseellvveess..

TTaabbllee 33..1100 VViillllaaggeerr PPrraaccttiicceess iinn sseelleeccttiinngg aanniimmaallss ffoorr ppuurrcchhaassee iinn HHuuaayylloouunn VViillllaaggee KKhhoouunn DDiissttrriicctt XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee..

SSeelleeccttiioonn MMeetthhooddoollooggyy GGrroouupp BBuullllss CCoowwss

11 GGoooodd ppaarreenntt ssttoocckk GGoooodd oovveerraallll pphhyyssiiccaall sshhaappee GGoooodd ssoolliidd kknneeee jjooiinnttss

GGoooodd ppaarreenntt ssttoocckk GGoooodd oovveerraallll sshhaappee aanndd llaarrggee ssiizzee LLaarrggee uuddddeerr

22 LLaarrggee ttaallll aanniimmaall

SShhoouulldd ggiivvee bbiirrtthh eevveerryy yyeeaarr LLaarrggee uuddddeerr wwiitthh nnoott lleessss tthhaann 44 ttiittss

33 LLoonngg bbooddyy ttiigghhtt mmuusscclleess aanndd ttaallll iinn hheeiigghhtt

LLaarrggee lliippss LLaarrggee rroouunndd ssttoommaacchh GGoooodd aappppeettiittee

OOvveerraallll llaarrggee bbooddyy ssiizzee LLoonngg bbooddyy lleennggtthh,, TThhiicckk mmuusscclleess aanndd

ttaallll iinn hheeiigghhtt.. LLaarrggee lliippss LLaarrggee rroouunndd ssttoommaacchh GGoooodd aappppeettiittee

2233

TTaabbllee 33..1111 TToopp AAnniimmaall RRaaiissiinngg PPrroobblleemmss ootthheerr tthhaann ddiisseeaassee ffoorr HHuuaayylloouunn VViillllaaggee,, KKhhoouunn DDiissttrriicctt,, XXiieenngg KKhhoouuaanngg PPrroovviinnccee

PPrroobblleemm CCaattttllee WWaatteerr BBuuffffaalloo PPiiggss GGooaattss PPoouullttrryy HHoorrsseess

PPrroobblleemm ## 11

LLaacckk ooff ffoorraaggeess iinn ddrryy sseeaassoonn

LLaacckk ooff ffoorraaggeess iinn ddrryy sseeaassoonn..

FFeenncciinngg mmaatteerriiaall llaacckkiinngg

FFeenncciinngg WWhheenn rraaiisseedd aatt hhoommee lliikkeellyy ttoo ddiiee TThheefftt WWhheenn rraaiisseedd ffaarr ffrroomm hhoommee yyoouu mmuusstt ssttaayy wwiitthh bbiirrddss

LLaacckk ooff ggrraassss

PPrroobblleemm ## 22

NNoo ppllaaccee ttoo rraaiissee ccaattttllee.. NNoo bbaarrbb wwiirree ffeenncciinngg FFeenncciinngg ttoo ccoonnttaaiinn aanniimmaallss

NNoo ppllaaccee ttoo rraaiissee aanniimmaallss MMuusstt ppuutt uupp ffeenncciinngg aanndd ddiiffffiiccuulltt aass lloottss ooff ffeennccee nneeeeddeedd..

FFoorraaggeess ffaarr aawwaayy

((22 ggrroouuppss)) GGiivvee bbiirrtthh iinn tthhee ffoorreesstt.. FFoorraaggeess ffaarr aawwaayy..

00 AAnniimmaallss kkiillll tthhee bbiirrddss (( 22 ggrrppss)) NNoott eennoouugghh llaabboorr

PPrroobblleemm ## 33

PPuuttttiinngg uupp ffeenncciinngg TTiiggeerr eeaattss yyoouunngg ccaattttllee

FFeenncciinngg TTiiggeerr eeaattss yyoouunngg aanniimmaallss

LLooookkiinngg aafftteerr tthhee aanniimmaallss LLoottss ooff llaabboorr nneeeeddeedd.. WWiilldd aanniimmaallss eeaatt PPiiggss rraannggee ffaarr ffrroomm hhoommee aanndd nneevveerr ccoommee bbaacckk..

LLeeggss wweeaakk

00 00 00

Table 3.12 Villager wisdom regarding Animal breeding Practices Huayloun Village, Khoun District, Xieng Khouang Province

Group Breeding Practice 1 No experience or insights 2 Female stock must be beautiful with good meat and

good features. 3 Chose large male with strong features and mate to

good female stock.

d. Observations and Conclusions from Village Survey Data Animal Raising in XKH Xieng Khouang province livestock density is the highest of any province in the Lao PDR with 62 large ruminants per 100 people. (Review of Livestock Sector Item 17 Bibliography pg 5) Overall 81% of interviewed households in NTM village own large ruminants while 94% of households in HLN village own ruminants. Overall 100% of families raise some animals in these two villages. Livestock are an important part of XKH villager’s lives and deserving of special attention. Non-Timber Forest Products The Main Non-Timber Forest Products in Namthoum village are: Green Cardamom (Amomum sp.), Wild Mushroom (À¹ñ©®š) and Orchid flowers in small amounts (Dendrobium sp.; F. Orchidaciae) The main NTFP’s collected by Huayloun villagers are: Rattan sprouts (calamus sp), Orchid flowers (Dendrobium sp.; F. Orchidaciae) and a vine (Coscinium fanestratum) which is called Heam (Á»È´) in the Lao language. This vine is used in herbal medicines and heavily sought after by the Chinese. Interviews with local district staff reveals that Coscinium fanestratum, Green Cardamom and Orchid flowers all have registered collectors. Rattan sprouts are evidently sold to local sellers in the Kham and Khoun markets and are not a product the district is concerned with monitoring. The orchid flower grows in the overstory of older trees. Often villagers will fell these large trees and collect the flowers which apear in the dry season months of March and April. Orchid flowers were for sale in district and province markets, however most are exported to China by Gan Kha company of Khoun district and the Chinese owned Jing Ling Company. There was a sense by many people in both villagers that the NTFP’s in the area of the village have dwindled significantly in recent years. Even though wild orchids draw a high price in the Phonsawan town market (120,000 to 150,000 kip per kg) there are government imposed limits on how much can be harvested. Although the project could do some interventions to improve the sustainability of harvesting these items, they are not a significant part of people’s livelihoods. No villager interviewed expressed any felt need for assistance to improve or expand the role of NTFP’s in their overall livelihood. Since the overall the sale of NTFP’s

2244

does not represent a significant source of income to villagers, and since they do see NTFP’s as particularly important, the project should probably not focus any interventions on NTFP’s. Turkeys Villagers report that turkey raising is easy and they have had good success because turkeys are hearty and resist disease. 25 out of 55 households interviewed on March 15, 2006 in Namthoum village raise turkeys. Large grass areas in the village provide a good environment for free ranging turkeys to feed. By contrast, no one in Houyloun village raises turkeys. The January enumeration did not include turkeys in its enumeration which is unfortunate since this appears to be an important part of the animal raising system in some villages. Hmong traditional ceremonies do not utilize turkeys which means they are a very good animal for income generation. Villagers did not express any felt need for help in raising turkeys, but the project may wish to find out if villages with no turkeys would like to raise them as a means of generating income. Existing Forages In Namthoum village numerous families have planted forage grass which they call “Soviet grass”. There are three families with markedly more grass than others and these are Jong Wah Wang, Faiv dah Yang and Saiboh Yang. Soviet grass was introduced about 10 years ago by a local villager who knew staff connected with the Soviet operated cattle farm in Pak district. Villagers explained that this grass smells bad to the cows. Cows would select other grasses if given a choice but would eat Soviet grass when nothing else was available. In addition to the Soviet grass there is one family who has planted Mulato grass which they report is well liked by the cattle. The amount of grass is very minimal. They secured this forage from another village. Villagers in Namthoum reported that they collect naturally occurring forages from moist areas or along stream beds. Cut wild banana trees are also used. However, most villagers still let their animals range free. There is a large area for raising livestock near Goh Hai cave ÊŸÀçæÝ, Near Pah Longdong ÏàÖÜÃÉÜÃ, and at Kilometer 28 hwy 6 ËàÃâÖÀ 6 ØÖèÀ 28. In Huayloun village no family has planted any significant amount of forages, except Mr. Bua Pee Yang who has a small plot near his house. Collected forages collected include: banana trees, cassava, pumpkins, corn, and a forest vine (Á¢È´).Some have planted Napiar grass, but most animals range free in forest areas about 10 km (2 hours walk) from the village. Introducing forages is a best single first step the project can take to help change the animal raising system currently employed by the village. See recommendations in Section 7 for recommendations about forages.

2255

ilvar pla

2266

“Soviet Grass” forage planted in Namthoum

village by many families.Villagers reportthat it disliked by cattle

as it smells bad.

Namthoum villagers graze cattle on their family forage plots.

March 13, 006

This photo taken in Namthoum village

lustrates another grass iety (Mulato) which wasnted in small quantities by one family and is preferred by cattle.

Fisheries The Xieng Khouang PAFO has located their fisheries station in Khoun district at KangPahw village (®É¾-£ñ¤À²¾½) located about 10 km from the district town. Based on the 1999 agricultural census (see item #16, appendix 1) of Khoun district, 40% of all households have their own fish pond. Clearly in Khoun district fisheries are an important part of the livelihood of the people. The project January 5, 2006 enumeration did not ask about fish ponds nor did it inquire about how important fisheries is in the livelihoods of people in Khoun district target villages. In Namthoum village (Kham district) nobody has a personal fish pond. By contrast, 30% of Huayloun (Khoun district) families have personal fish ponds. A top priority in the 2006 Huyaloun village development plan is a proposed village community pond (about 1.2 HA area). Nearly all families supported the idea of constructing this community pond. The villagers will need help to bring a water supply to this pond site. This activity is worthy of project attention. Given how important fisheries is in Khoun district in general, and Huayloun specifically, it would be well worth the project’s time to invest in fisheries training and future ponds. It is recommended the project investigate the importance of fisheries in each of the target villages in order to determine if fisheries interventions would be worthwhile in any other villages. Vaccinations and Cold Chain Sornsawhat Wahnthalah, the provincial animal husbandry section leader reports that there are adequate animal vaccines available in both Kham and Khoun districts. He says there are trained government staff who can provide vaccines to any villagers who require them. He points out that there are maintained refrigerators in both districts which insure a continuous cold chain. Mr. Khampai, the provincial coordinator for the Forages and Livestock Systems Project (FLSP) reports that based on his experience over the last five years there is no break in vaccine cold chain. He says there are adequate vaccines and refrigerators available in the areas where he has worked in Pak and Nonghet districts. Mr. Sayherwah of Namthoum village shared a story of saving the lives of about 12 water buffalos that were showing symptoms of wobbly legs and disorientation. He walked to the Kham district town, secured vaccines from the district government veterinarian (needles etc) along with advice how to treat the animals. He returned to his village and was able to save all 12 buffalos from imminent death. The entire story was relayed with heroic proportions as one saving the entire village from a most ominous disaster. These three sources mentioned above (Government, Project professional staff and villager) are consistent in showing that there is no shortage of vaccine. Any villagers who are serious about securing a vaccine can get one. Despite this fact, not one Hmong family in either village surveyed vaccinated their animals against disease. There were definitely no cultural taboos against vaccines. However, villagers felt vaccinations were a superfluous expense. There were also no trained vets in either Namthoum or Huayloum villages and it is a long way to the district town to get the vaccines.

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Hmong villagers have not made a definitive connection between preventative vaccination and their current high loss of animals to disease. Given all these findings, it’s clean the project does not need to create vaccine supply cold chain. Instead, CRWRC should focus on training village veterinarians and educating villagers about the importance of vaccines. Peanut Shelling Machines The SADU project introduced the same machine in the XKH area in 2004 after doing a study of the peanut market chain. Villagers who participated in the market chain study saw there was a significant demand for peanuts with a peanut roasting company in Vientiane. Following the market study SADU sponsored a study trip to Kasi district of Vientiane province to introduce 3 types of peanut shelling machines. The introduction of the shelling machine was to encourage local villagers to offer peanut shelling services for a fee. These peanut shelling service providers are able to increase their income possibilities and help leverage the overall production of peanuts. By having privately owned shelling services this helped contribute to the significant increase in production of peanuts in SADU target area. Peanut production doubled in one year. CRWRC introduced low cost peanut shelling machines to a number of its project villages. Machines were purchased from a local machine maker in Phonsawan who learned how to make a peanut shelling machine from a SADU sponsored study trip. These low cost peanut shelling machines were given free to Namthoum and Huayloun villages as community owned property. One shelling machine was given to each ‘Unit’2 of houses in the village. Villagers understood that the machines were given as a labor saving device. The machines were used in both villages during the past year. The potential market leveraging effect which for-profit peanut shellers offer was lost by giving the peanut shellers as a community owned machine. There is no possibility of income generation because there is no equitable way to share the income derived from a community owned machine. Furthermore, the villagers reported that it is not Hmong culture to have community owned property (see Hmong culture section 4). Land Ownership From our visits to Nam Thoum and Huayloun villages the lack of clear land title deeds does not mean that land ownership is in question. Villagers are not concerned that they are going to lose the right to the land they are currently using. This means they are open to expanding agriculture activities for greater income. It is interesting that none of the target villages have gone through the government “Land Allocation Process”. Both Kham and Khoun districts have only done land allocation among a small number of villages located primarily in the lowland areas of these districts. Boundary disputes between villages were few in the target area with only one conflict of significance occurring in Khang Hong village of Khoun District. Field visits to Namthoum and Huayloun villages confirmed that village boundaries are clearly known. In addition land

2 a government defined division within a village comprising about 10 houses

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use has been zoned within the area of each of these villages. People within a village and adjacent villages respect village boundaries by carrying out their production needs within the land of their own village. Land boundaries between villages and zoning within a particular village can be seen from these two examples:

Mr. Say Her Wah grazes his 11 water buffalo on the lands of Phu Nong village Nong Het district about a three hour walk from Namthoum village. In compensation for grazing privileges he must give one offspring every three years for every 3 grazing female cattle or water buffalos. Oversight of these animals is still his responsibility. A similar arrangement exists where a family from Namthoum village who grazes livestock in the land area of Nyodpiet village Kham District.

Vp

Namthoum village has a particular area which is fenced in (see village map appendix VIII)during the rainy season. All livestock are confined there to insure that upland fields are notruined.

illager shows where land boundaries are and how his animal raising occurs within his ersonal land allocation.

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4. Hmong Culture and Animal Raising.

1. The Hmong in CRWRC target villages of Xieng Khouang are interested in two things

when selecting what animals they will raise. First is a concern that the animal will turn a profit for them and second that the animal can be used in spirit ceremonies.

2. The Hmong will never be interested in pigs which are red, white, or a mix of white and black. All pigs must be totally black with absolutely no white spots in order to be utilized in traditional spirit ceremonies. In some areas of North Thailand this regulation has been relaxed and spirit doctors are accepting other colors of pigs simply because there are no black ones available. However this is not currently the case in CRWRC target villages. As a result introducing any new pure bred varieties of pigs would not be a wise intervention.

3. Chickens which are totally white or have any white in their feathers are considered worthless as they can never be used in traditional ceremonies. Hmong will raise a chicken with some white in it but will sell it at a very low price. Some Lowland Lao who are aware of this will seek out chickens which have some white in their coat from Hmong farmers so as to get them at a cheap price.

4. Any rooster which crows in the evening up until midnight will be killed within a day or two. Such roosters brings bad luck.

5. The second time the rooster crows is the traditional time to wake up. Somewhere between 4 to 5 AM.

6. Cultural taboos by clan are listed in appendix. 7. Traditionally Hmong people do not have communally owned property. Thus

machines given to the village (such as the corn husking and peanut shelling machines) are not clearly owned by anyone and will not be readily used as the village has no accepted and traditional way to work out who owns them, fixes them, operates them, etc.

5. Animal Market Opportunities in Kham and Khoun Districts 5 a. Market Data summary. Data about the local area markets were gathered from the district government, from interviews with local area traders, agriculture companies, local meat vendors, and the villagers in NTM and HLN villages. This data is summarized in the following tables. The movement of agro products were mapped by villagers and gives a good graphic illustration of what villagers understand to be the agricultural market around them.

5.1 Market pathways from Huayloun Village 5.2 Namthoum village pathways to market:

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Sunnoi market

Huayloun Village

Collect NTFP’s

Animals raised by

ge villaCattle and Water buffalo

Pah Khao village and onto Vietnam 70

km

Cattle, Water Buffalo

Namthum

o

Corn, Pumpkin, Peanuts - 5 hrs walk round trip

Pah Anne village

Muang Kham district

Vietnam

Cows, WB sows, pigs,

poultry

Sunnoi village

NTFP’s rattan sprouts, orchid flowers, and vines ãØ‹Ó

Peanuts , Sunflower seeds - Dry season roadway

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Phon Kham

Phonsawan

Tha Joke Market

All weather road. 17 km.

Table 5.3 Traders who come to Huayloun Village Khoon District, XKP

# Grp. #

Name and address Type of produce purchased

Purchase price Conditions of agreement

1 1 Father Ee Wharn Phonsawan

Orchid flowers, Vine (Á»È´)

15,000 kip, 10,000 kip

Price varies with volume

2 1 Father Khansai Phonsawan

Orchid flowers, Vine (Á»È´)

15,000 kip, 10,000 kip

Price varies with volume

3 1 Father Vieng Phonsawan

Cows, and female water buffalo

2,000,000 kip / cow 4,000,000 kip / water buffalo

4 1 Father Bukgung Phonsawan

Cattle, water buffalos 7,000,000 / bull

Only buys male cattle

5 1 Father Dah heung Phonsawan

Cattle, water buffalos 7,000,000 male Water buffalo

Only buys male WB

6 2 Noh Wah Yang Rice 11,000 kip 7 2 Mr. Ngun Cattle and water

buffalo 30,000 kip / kg

8 2 Mr. Gung Cattle and water buffalo

30,000 kip / kg

9 3 Grandmother Tongwan

Pigs, peanuts, chickens

4,000 kip / kg peanuts

3 Father Ee Wharn Orchid flowers 5,000 kip / kg 3 Father Bukgung and

Mr. Ngun Cattle, water buffalo

Note: Nobody knows where these sellers sell their produce. Except Group 3 knows that person 1,4, and 8 resell in Phonsawan town.

Table 5.4 Prices of meat in nearby market as HLN villagers reported. Group Number Sun Noi market ( kip/ kg) Khoun district town market Beef Water Buffalo

Pork Beef Water Buffalo Pork

1 15,000 15,000 13,000 25,000 25,000 20,000 2 15,000 15,000 15,000 unknown unknown unknown 3 14,000 14,000 12,000 25,000 25,000 20,000 Women 12,000 12,000 12,000 unknown unknown unknown

Table 5.5 HLN Villager rated top agricultural products

Group Number Product # 1 Product # 2 Product # 3 1 Peanuts Ginger Unmilled rice 2 Peanuts Bean sprouts Poultry 3 Unmilled rice Peanuts corn Women Peanuts Peppers Sah trees

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Table 5.6 Traders who come to Namthoum Village according to villager interview:

# Grp.

# Name and address Type of produce

purchased Purchase price (kip/ kg)

Where do they resell

1 1 Mr. Phat from Phonsawan

Corn, unshelled peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkins

700; 2,000; 2,000, 11,000 – 12,000

2 1 Father Ee Ohh Corn, unshelled peanuts, sunflower seeds

700; 2,000; 2,000

Peanuts resold at 3,000 kip/kg

3 1 PK company representative

Corn 1,000 kip/ kg He resells to PK company in Kham district

4 2 Mr. Youa Dong Song from Vietnam

Cattle, water buffalos

30,000 Vietnam

5 2 Mr Baahn from Nam Ngum village in Province town area

Rice, corn 1,600; 700 Vietnam corn price is 1,200 kip/ kg

6 2 Noh Ser Vang from Pah Kok village

NTFP unknown Phonsawan

3 Mr Baahn from Nam Ngum village in Province town area

Rice, corn 1,500; 800

3 Mr. Phat from Phonsawan

Rice corn 1,500; 800

Womens Mr. Phat from Phonsawan

Rice corn, peanuts 1,600; 700; 4,500

7 Womens Father Hai from Phonsawan

Rice, corn 1,600; 700

Womens Mr Baahn from Nam Ngum village in Province town area

Rice, corn 1,600; 700 He states a price and we accept or not.

A total of 7 traders are mentioned. Mr. Paht and Mr Baahn are well known throughout the village being mentioned in three of the four groups. Poster sheet indicates that Vietnamese traders buy livestock from the village and walk them to Vietnam

Table 5.7 NTM Villager Understanding of Prices of meat

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in nearby markets

Group Number

Tha Joke market ( kip/ kg) Johm Tong Kham district town market ( kip/ kg)

Beef Water Buffalo Pork

Beef Water Buffalo Pork

1 25,000 25,000 18,000 25,000 25,000 22,000 2 25,000 25,000 18,000 unknown unknown unknown 3 25,000 25,000 18,000 –

20,000 25,000 25,000 18,000 –

20,000 Women 25,000 25,000 20,000 25,000 25,000 20,000 Women are unaware of the animal slaughter house at the Kham district market. Women do not think there is any company in Kahm district which buys live animals. Most people are well aware of market prices of meat in Tah Joke market but not as well informed about the Kham district market prices. Meat vendors in Tha joke market report selling pork at 16,000 to 20,000 kip/ kg which compared favorably to villagers understanding.

Table 5.8 NTM Villager rated top agricultural prroducts. Group Number Product # 1 Product # 2 Product # 3 1 Corn Peanuts Pumpkins 2 Peanuts Corn 3 Rice Livestock Corn, peanuts, sunflower

seeds Women Peanuts Pumpkins Corn

Table 5.9 District Recognized Purchasers of Agriculture Products and

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Non-Timber Forest Products. Kham District Xieng Khouang Province Person Interviewed: Pimpah Responsibilities: Administration Office management Position: Director of Kham district Administration Office. Date of Interview: 13 March 2006 # Name of trader Home village Type of product Authorized

Area 1 Ms. Sompawn

(Telephone 546--2050) Phonsawan Broom grass, Sugar

Palm seed Adjacent to Hwy 1

2 Mr. Pun ( Tel 5761489 ) Johmtong north village

Muak Bark (Boehmeria malabarica)

All over district

3 Jing Ling comany Phonsawn town branch office.

Head office in Udomsai town

Orchid flowers All over district

4 Mr. Binsai Phonkham village

Broom grass Adjacent to hwy 1

5 Ms. Gahu Johmtong village Rice, corn Along hwy 7 6 Ms. Viengpawn Johmtong village Rice , corn Along hwy 7 7 Ms. Hum Johmtong village Rice, corn Along hwy 7 Traders 1 and 4 would reach only three CRWRC target villages along Hwy 1 while all other traders are potential traders for remaining Muang Kham. Kham District Regulations regarding traders/ purchasers of agricultural products: 1/ Must pay NTFP fees as issued. 2/ Only authorized to purchase in their assigned area and within their allotted amounts. 3/ Movement of products is only allowed at authorized times and along authorized roadways. 4/ Before moving any products the trader must contact the district official in charge to inspect their products before they can transport them.

Table 5.10 District Recognized Purchasers of Agriculture Products and

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Non-Timber Forest Products. Khoun District Xieng Khouang Province Person Interviewed: Seeweesai Responsibilities: Forestry Position: District forestry section leader. Date of Interview: 14 March 2006 # Name of trader Home village Type of product Area authorized

to buy 1 Ghan Kah company

Mr. Saidah SeePhom village Coscinium

fanestratum - a vine, sugar palm seed

All over district

2 Ms. Bai Phonshawan town

Coscinium fanestratum - a vine, sugar palm seed

All over district, Sun Luang area

3 Ghan Kah company Mr. Ah- Fuu

Phonshawan town

Orchid flowers All over district

4 Mr. Pawnsee Phonshawan town

Orchid Flowers All over district

5 Mr. Khansai Phonshawan town

Broom Grass All over district

6 Ms. Mee and Ms. Wannasorn Phonshawan town

Fiddle head All over district

7 Ms. Hum Johmtong village Rice, corn Along hwy 7 Coscinium fanestratum is called Á»È´ in the Lao language. Sugar palm seed is (Arenga westerhoutii – F. Palmaceae) and is called Mak Dao in the Lao language.

Table 5.11 Meat Sellers in Kham District Town Date of interviews: 14/03/2006

# Meat seller Home village

How much do pay Sales price How many Kg do you sell per

day?

Is this amount of meat enough

Comment

1. Ms. Khamban 0205660598

Johm tong village

25000 kip/Kg 35000 kip/Kg 50Kg/day Enough Buys live cattle

2. Ms. Wandee 0205761858 Ban village 18000-20000 kip/Kg 22000-23000 kip/Kg 50Kg/day Enough Buys a live pig

3. Ms. Buawornn 0205789348

Ban village 20000 kip/Kg 25000 kip/Kg 30-40Kg/day Enough Buys live pigs

4. Mother Sawan 0205380469

Johm tong south village

12000 kip/Kg 13000-15000 kip/Kg 1-2Kg/day Enough Sells vegetables and hot peppers

5. Ms. Nuanjun 0205473801

Johm Tong South village

20000 kip/Kg 24000-25000 kip/Kg 4-5Kg/day Not enough Buys ducks and chickens

6. Ms. Kuntahlee 0205975578

Tong village 20000 kip/Kg 24000-25000 kip/Kg 4-5Kg/day Not enough Buys ducks and chickens

All meat vendors report that they buy live animals themselves in the general vicinity of the Johm Tong Kham district market town area. All livestock must be slaughtered at the district slaughter house and 2,000 kip is paid per animal. While the chicken vendors pay 1,000 kip to the market upkeep per day that they sell. Poultry is killed at peoples homes or sold live at the market. Total meat sales on any given day in the Kham district town is: 50 kg beef, 90 kg pork and about 10 kg of poultry. There is not available poultry to meet the current market demand in Kham district market town.

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Table 5.12 Meat Sellers in Tah Joke Market. Date of interviews: 14/03/2006

# Meat seller Home village How much do pay Sales price How many Kg do you sell per

day?

Is this amount of meat enough

Comment

1 Mr. Dawn Yoht Ngum village 16,000 – - 17,000 kip/Kg

18,000 -– 20,000 kip/kg

30 -40 Kg/day Enough Pork

2 Mr. Paithanah Yoht Ngum village 15,000 – 17,000 kip/Kg

16,000 – 20,000 kip/kg

30 Kg/day Enough Buys a live pig from Nong Phet village

3 Yoy Yoht Ngum village 15,000 – 17,000 kip/Kg

16,000 – 20,000 kip/kg

30 Kg/day Enough Buys live pigs from Nong Phet village

Livestock is purchased in the area of Yoht Ngum and Kang Vien villages. Sellers pay 15,000 kip per animal sold in the market per day. There is no slaughter house but the local village veterinarian inspects meat each day. It is not clear what inspection fee is paid. The total meat sold per day is about 90 kg of pork per day. Only occasionally will beef be sold. Nong Ped Sunday morning weekly market sees a larger volume of meat sales than the district market or Tah Joke market. About 200 kg of pork and 100 kg of beef is sold each market day. Only live poultry was sold and a total number of birds was not possible to determine. Date of visit: Sunday March 12, 2006.

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Table 5.13 Meat Sellers in Khoun District town. Date of interviews: 18/03/2006

# Meat seller How much do pay Kip/kg live animal

Sales price Kip/kg dressed meat

How many Kg do you sell per

day?

Is this amount of meat enough

Comment

1 Mr. Singkham 20,000 20,000 60Kg/day enough Cattle, pigs 2 Mr. Somjai 20,000 20,000 70Kg/day enough Cattle pigs 3 Mr. Saeng 20000 20,000 65 Kg/day enough Cattle, pigs 4 Ms. Kham 20000 20,000 65 Kg/day enough Cattle, pigs 5 Ms. Wankham 20,000 20,000 65 Kg/day enough Cattle, pigs 6 Mr. Jai 20000 20,000 65 Kg/day enough Cattle, pigs 7 Ms. Pawn 25,000 – 32,000 22,000 – - 30,000 30 Kg/day Not enough ducks 28- 35,000 26,000 - – 32,000 15 kg/ day Not enough chicken

Where is the profit for meat vendors? How can there be any profit if the purchase and sale price of the animal is the same or less? The price per kg of live animal weight price is quite standard but the weight of the animal is bargained over. No scales are used to bring any standardization to the process. If profit is made, it is by successfully bargaining down the weight of the live animal hopefully keeping the weight of dressed meat higher than the ‘weight’ of the purchased animal. Poultry vendors make their profit by removing the internal organs and selling these separately. Their profit is realized in the sale of the internal organs. The internal organs of a chicken or a duck will fetch another 8,000 kip per bird and this represents any ‘profit’ which the vendor can realize. Fees reported by meat sellers are as follows:

Each seller pays 1,000 kip per day for market upkeep Livestock sellers pay 17,000 kip per day per animal sold which is made up of a 3,000 kip inspection fee and 14,000 kip per animal as a fee

to the slaughter house. Total meat volume sold per day in Khoun market was 60 kg pork, 30kg of chickens and 15 kg of ducks or a total of 105 kg of meat per day.

b. Findings from the Market survey: There are market opportunities in the Kham and Khoun district markets for fish and poultry sales which villagers could meet. There are fresh fish sold in the Khoun market each day from Vientiane and some from local ponds. Vientiane Tilapia sells for 18,000 kip / kg and smaller local pond raised fish sell for 15,000 kip/kg. The vendors are generally able to sell all their fish each day and see a good market demand. In both district towns there is a greater demand for poultry than the sellers can meet. This was also true of poultry vendors in Phonsawan town markets. The Kham district town sees an average of 10 kg of poultry sales per day while the Khoon district market sees more robust sales of 30 kg of chickens and 15 kg of ducks per day. Despite these figures more poultry could be sold. Poultry vendors buy their birds in the local area of the market but would welcome people who bring birds for sale on a regular basis. Hmong need to be educated that their poultry, even if they have some white feathers (see section 4), can fetch the full price in the market. There are also other markets such as Tha Joke, the Sunday morning Nong Ped market and the province town markets. There are plenty of local options for the sale of meat. Huayloun villagers are less aware of the district market then Namthoum villagers are of Kham district market. This is understandable given how remote Huayloun village has been relative to the district market town. The market at Sun Noi is still quite limited despite the recent completion of the road. There was an attempt to hold two markets per week in Sun Noi but this has been reduced to one each Sunday. Villagers are aware that buyers come to their markets but they generally have no idea where those buyers sell their products nor do they have any idea what the mark up in price is. Nobody had any clear strategy for finding other buyers of their products, but rather they rely entirely on who comes to their village leaving them a bit disadvantaged. There is an obvious role for educating villagers about the markets around them and knowing who other buyers may be. Hosting a meeting with village leaders, local area buyers, and traders to understand what each other needs and where the problems are would definitely produce more opportunities. 66.. LLeessssoonnss LLeeaarrnneedd ffrroomm RReellaatteedd PPrroojjeeccttss a. Best Forages in Xieng Khouang Forage testing has been done by three projects in the Xieng Khouang province area over the last 10 years namely: Newait, FLSP, and the Nam Ngum watershed protection project. Field visits to these three projects reveal the following information: I) The “Programme National Agroecologie project” or in the Lao language Neewait Gahset. The project staff report that based on their 2 years of trial plantings that the best grass forages for cattle forages:

1) Ruzi : Brachiaria Ruzizienes (ëø§ó) 2) Mulato: Brachiaria Mullato, (´øì¾Âª) 3) Signal: Brachiaria Decumbens (¦ò¡-¾-) 4) Marandu: Brachiaria Brizantha.

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In terms of Legumes they are recommending only Stylo. II. The FLSP project in XKH planted 2 kinds of legumes and 6 grasses as forages for livestock and pigs. The two legumes were Stylosanthes guianensis “Stylo 184” and Lucenia (Alfalfa) Overwhelmingly villagers selected Stylo as their main choice. The 6 grass varieties of grasses which this project planted in Xieng Khouang were:

1) Bulecenta 2) Signal 3) Ginney* 4) Gamba 5) Pasparum 6) Mulato

Of these Mulato and Ginney were the main choices of the farmers. * Note about item #3 Ginney is also called: “Simuang (¦ó´È¸¤)” or Panicum maximum. Simuang is called by villagers and Nonghet district agriculture staff as “Gin-nee” ¡ò--ó Simuang is the Lao word for purple as this grass is purple when it seeds. III. According to Managing feed Resources in Upland Livestock Systems by Viengsavanh Phimphachanhvongsod and Horne, Peter they recommend the following forages:

1) Brachiaria brizantha, ‘Marandu’ 2) Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulato’ 3) Panicum maximum “Simuang” 4) And Stylosanthes Guianensis “Stylo 184” as a Legume for pig forages

From a field visit to Sunyom village ( a FLSP target village) in Nong Haet district: Simuang: Panicum maximum was the top choice of villagers in all 27 target villages of the CIAT project in Nong Het district. IV. The ADB funded Nam Ngum Watershed Preservation Project grass of choice is ‘Napiar’ grass. This grass grows very tall and can be used as a hedgerow.

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Napiar Grass growing near Phonsavan town

Brachiaria hybrid or ‘Mulato’

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“Simuang (¦ó´È¸¤)” or Panicum maximum called “Ginnee” by villagers in XKH This is the top choice grass forage by villagers in Nonghet district.

Brachiaria brizantha, ‘Marandu’

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Stylosanthes Guianensis “Stylo 184” A Legume for pig forages. b. Small Scale Agro-Enterprise Development Small Scale Agro-Enterprise Development for the Uplands Project (SADU) is coming to the end of its first phase as in Xieng Khouang province. Rather than focusing on technology interventions this project focuses on identifying an agro product and its market chain. Once a potential product is identified the project begins to work with all the various players along that market chain (producers, collectors, processors) to insure that the whole chain is aware of the other players and works well together. Peanuts were initially identified with a group of 5 target villages in Ped sub-district of Pak district XKH as a good agro product. Peanuts were sold to local area collectors who then sold to peanut roasters in Vientiane. The market demand is high and ongoing. In Nong Ped sub-district an initial group of 5 target villages more than doubled peanut production and realized 78 million kip of income in one year by using the Agro-Enterprise approach. The Agro-Marketing approach to rural development had proven its viability. The introduction of peanut shelling machines helped leverage the increased production of peanuts. c. Top Agriculture products in Xieng Khouang To date SADU has identified these 6 agriculture products in the Xieng Khouang area which have good potential and a robust ongoing market. Additionally the provincial director of agronomy has some good suggestions of potential cash crops. These include: Cattle and Water Buffalo, Peanuts, Maize, Pigs Passion Fruit, and Broom making

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Passion fruit is bought by the local Xieng Khouang wine factory located in Phonsawan town area. (»¤¤¾-¯÷¤ÁªÈ¤À¹ûìö¾Áì½-Õ¹´¾¡Ä´ÉÀ´õº¤²¸-) This factory is able to process 175 tons of passion fruit a year but last year they were only able to secure 18 tons. Other fruits are also needed such as plums. The SADU project has studied the market chain for the first four items. (See item 28 of appendix I for the meat chain). Mr. Ampawn (the agronomy section leader) made comments which are very helpful indicators of the market options which exist all around the project area. (See appendix II interviews.) His choice of cash crops are 1/Local corn 2/ Cassava, 3/ Garlic, 4/ watermelons, and 5/ sweet corn. In this regard it should be noted that the province is pushing garlic as the main cash crop in Kham district.

“In the wet season I would plant corn (¦¾ìóÁ¢¤) and sell it to the Vietnamese and I would plant Cassava (´ñ-ªí-) and sell it to the Chinese agriculture company. In the dry season I would plant Garlic, watermelons, and sweet corn for sale” AMPAWN director of Agronomy section at XKH PAFO office.

7. Conclusions and Recommendations to the project (Some of the following recommendations listed below are also mentioned in previous sections of the report, but are gathered here for ease of discussion.) Recommendations about data collection and the process of data collection are listed in section 2.e entitled Observations and Recommendations about Data collection:

1. Fisheries were not included in the January 2006 village surveys, yet fish raising is an important part of life in Khoun district. In Khoun and Kham district market’s pond raised Tilapia from VTE sell for 18,000 kip per kilo. Local raised Tilapia (which are smaller in size) sell for 15,000 kip per kilo. Catfish can sell for up to 40,000 kip per kilo. The market vendors report a strong demand for fish. Fish raising represents a significant source of income. The project should begin training farmers who already have fish ponds how to raise fish. Past experience would indicate that securing quality fish stock will be a significant difficulty in addition to any technical training villagers require.

It is also recommended the project investigate the importance of fisheries in each of the target villages in order to determine if fisheries interventions would be worthwhile in any other villages..

2. The project should plan agro-marketing interventions in addition to

its other interventions. Agro marketing interventions help villagers connect to markets. The approach for agro marketing is found in, “Starting an Agro-Enterprise Development Process in the Lao PDR. Field Facilitators Guide. Draft. (see Appendix

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VII, Bibliography item #32) There are market studies which have been done by SADU such as the meat market survey (item 28) which can benefit the project. The top agro product choices are those listed under section 6 of this report.

3. The project should not undertake any further data collection surveys

in the near future. Doing so will exasperate the villagers and create strained relationships between the project and the target villages.

4. Since the overall the sale of NTFP’s does not represent a significant source of income

to villagers, and since villagers do see NTFP’s as particularly important,, the project does not need to focus any interventions on NTFP’s.

5. The project needs to develop a partnership relationship with target

villages. Project staff are good at doing participatory meetings, but are weak at following a participatory process of development. Future interventions should be guided by the five indicators of sustainable rural development (as mentioned in section 3a in the body of this report and reprinted below).

Sustainable Development begins: 1/ From small to big 2/ From what is easy to what is difficult 3/ From what villagers already have 4/ From what villagers already know 5/ From what villagers have a desire to do.

Staff need to be reminded that their role is not to involve villagers in “their work”, but to become co-investors/ co-laborers with the villagers in the work of development. The women’s PRA activity of daily work charts helped this process. Sending staff on exercises to develop the relationship between staff and villagers would helpful

6. The project should liaison closely with the Participatory Livestock

Development Project which is due to begin in Xieng Khouang in early 2007. This ADB project will follow up on the FLSP project (2001-2005) and take villagers further toward a revised method of animal raising. The FLSP project introduced forage varieties through a participatory process and saw some improvements to the opportunistic animal raising currently practiced in the upland of Xieng Khouang province. Solving feed however was just the entry point to other interventions needed such as animal management (free ranging animals versus penned animals), veterinary services, and animal breeding practices. All of these are needed if farmers in the upland areas of Xieng Khoung are going to realize any serious improvements in animals raising. CRWRC is well advised to follow the basic pattern started by the FLSP project ( see final evaluation document item 31 in appendix I) and proposed by the PLDP project (item 15 Appendix I). Begin with forages and veterinary training and then slowing move into other management practice changes and finally breeding programs.

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7. The project should not introduce any new animal varieties into villages (see section four on Hmong culture and animal raising) but should work to improve the way people are raising existing varieties.

8. Animal disease is clearly the primary problem to improving the livelihoods of rural

villagers in the project’s target villages. The Project should begin a series of ongoing veterinary training opportunities to train and coach veterinary service providers who will in time offer their services on a fee basis (for profit) in their own village and in surrounding areas. Once they are able to charge for their services they would then be required to pay to attend further veterinary training events. For further information on this process see following two items in Appendix VII:

#21 Mondry, Ricarda. “Village Veterinary Worker Network as a Private Sector Approach.” Pg. 90 – 95 #29/ Connell, John. “Extension for Livestock Development in Northern Lao PDR. Working paper 7 for the Participatory Livestock Development Project. PPTA No. 4287-Lao July 2005.) Selecting who should come to veterinary training events is critical. Candidates should be those who have already demonstrated they have local indigenous knowledge in the area of animal treatment. Veterinary training should build upon existing knowledge and experience base. The typical way of selecting who attends a project sponsored technical training is to have the village headman select who he feels should attend. It is strongly recommended that a new approach be used. The staff should work to identify a few people in each village who have already demonstrated skills and/or knowledge in animal care (as outlined in the villager wisdom tables in section 3). After this the staff should approach the headman and say, “We believe person X and Y would be best suited to attend such training because they are already doing animal care. Would you be willing to recommend them to the project as suitable people to attend our vet training?” After procuring the headman’s approval these people should then be specifically invited to animal care training events and trained as veterinary service providers.

9. The project should immediately work to introduce forages in the

target villages as a first step in improving the animal raising system being used by farmers. The process and specific suggestions are listed below.

Process for selecting best forages for planting in April 2006. 1/ Have Agriculture staff read carefully through the Lao language version of item #1 in the Bibliography. (“Developing Forage Technologies with Smallholder Farmers copies were left with staff in XKW) This text will give simple instructions in how to select the best forages for extension and adaptation by villagers. 2/ The handouts given at the March 10-18, 2006 training about “Planting Forages and Participatory Diagnosis” which Ms. Sia CRWRC staff attended should be shared with everyone in the agriculture team. These notes have good advice on how to select

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appropriate forage varieties. There is also a handout on how to plant them. A time should be set for Ms. Sia to relay all that she learned about these two topics. 3/ Ms. Sia (and if possible another staff member) should participate in the follow up trainings on forages. 4/ the project should introduce the best varieties based on past testing. They should also always introduce multiple grass varieties in each village (item 26 Horne pg 282). Staff should start with the below 4 varieties of forages for cattle and water buffalo (pictures of each type of grass appear in section 7 Lessons Learned from other Projects): The term in parenthesis is the Lao pronunciation of that particular forage type. 1) Brachiaria brizantha, ‘Marandu’ 2) Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulato’ 3) Panicum maximum “Simuang” 4) Stylosanthes Guianensis “Stylo 184” as a Legume for pig forages Staff should be involved in a discussion as to which other varieties to add to the above list, but they should not be allowed to subtract from the list. For example Bintong has experience with the Napiar grass. Process of Introducing Forages: 1) Introducing forages is a only the first step in slowly shifting farmers into a new system of animal raising. (Connell item #29) 2) A villager to villager exchange trip should occur with the villagers of SunYom village in Nong Het district. A couple key farmers from several target villages in which forages are going to be introduced should be included on this trip. (This is in process already for April)

3) Based on field interviews the author recommends that the project immediately begin forage trials with a few key farmers from as many of the 12 original target villages as seed and staff energies will allow. There must be fairly intensive follow-up of the forage plots during the first year, therefore care should be taken to insure there is adequate manpower to provide such good follow-up. Over-extending staff during this first year of forage introduction would be unwise. 4) It is important to find an entry point in the current livestock raising system to introduce the use of forages. (pg 51 of Connell item 30) For example Namthoum village has a community area fenced off where all village members are expected to graze their cattle during the rainy season. This communal enclosed area is to insure that cattle do not get into upland fields and to save energy by sharing the labor to build fencing. If enclosed forage plots were planted near this communal area of grazing the benefit of these forages would be more quickly apparent. Another approach would be to work with a key farmer such as Sai Her Vang who wants to plant forages. Once established he would consolidate his animal raising on a single enclosed area which he would personally fence. (Although since his fields are about 2 kilometers from the village and not located on a primary trail way, the transfer from

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him to other farmers may be more limited than finding farmers who will devote land to forages near the enclosed community grazing area.)

1100.. A Poultry shortage exists in all the nearby markets of the project area and could

represent an income opportunity if villagers would contact meat vendors to arrange for sales and delivery..

1111.. The SADU project has robust quarterly market facilitation meetings occurring in the

Nong Ped sub-district of Pak district. Key village leaders and project staff should attend some of these market facilitation meetings.. There will be opportunity to meet various players in the agriculture market chains in the area as well as network with local area traders. This will hopefully lead to some synergistically helpful insights as to what could be occurring at the sub-district level in Kham and Khoun districts.

1122.. Future introduction of peanut shelling machines to target villages

should be as privately owned equipment. A person who can see the potential of providing shelling services as a supplementary source of income would buy their own machine. These future service providers will help encourage the expansion of the cash crop. The same basic approach could be applied to corn husking or other services such as animal breeding services.

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