different directions: the farming dichotomy in laos
TRANSCRIPT
Different Directions:The farming dichotomy
in Laos
Overview
Dichotomy: a division into two mutually exclusive, opposed or contradictory groups
ie. two different directions
Three perspectives on the farming dichotomy in Laos: Agro-Ecology: Green or Brown Political-Economy: Small-scale or Industrial Social-cultural: Farmers or Labourers
Agro-Ecology
Characteristics of the different directions:
Green Brown
Diversity MonoculturesLow external inputs Chemical dependentLabour intensive Mechanized
Agro-Ecology
this or this?
Agro-Ecology
Some trends: Area under brown agriculture continues to expand There are growing concerns about sustainability Studies and pilots are being carried out, but we
are dealing with ‘wicked problems’ Observation:
Re labour: a major constraint to promotion of sustainable agriculture is that almost all improved practices require more time and effort. The reason herbicides have been adopted is because they make it possible to cultivate larger areas.
Political-Economy
Characteristics of the different directions:
Small-scale Industrial
Inefficient ProductiveLocal markets Export drivenFarmer organisations Crony capitalism
Political-Economy
this or this?
Political -EconomySome trends:
The World Bank has made a strong pitch for reducing number of workers in the agric. sector
Greater regional integration is likely to favour bigger players
Donors and NGOs are supporting FOs, the leadership has other ideas
Observation: Re FO development: there is a big difference between
organising farmers and farmers organising. A lot of the former is happening, much less of the later. And one doesn’t naturally lead to the other.
Socio-Cultural
Characteristics of the different directions:
Farmer Labourer
Indigenous knowledge Vocational skillsFood producer Food consumerSettled Mobile
Socio-Cultural
this or this?
Socio-CulturalSome trends:
Cultural erosion is happening at a rapid pace, including loss of ITK
Spread of ICT is creating access to new knowledge and networks
It’s not clear who the winners and losers are, but ethnic women are vulnerable in this transition.
Observation: Re FSN: development agencies still coming to terms with
the changing roles of farmers. Many of our approaches to nutrition were developed with subsistence farmers in mind, but perhaps the home-gardens-and-small-livestock route is less appropriate for commercial producers.
Concluding observations Much of the development community in Laos is ‘swimming against
the tide’. We are working with a minority of small farmers to support
enclaves of green agriculture, which are surrounded by a brown industrial landscape.
Perhaps we should accept that we are no longer a ‘driver of change’, and pay more attention to mitigation efforts that will reduce negative impacts for the majority of rural people.
For example: Campaigning on safe and effective use of agri-chemicals Networking among farmer organisations to strengthen their bargaining
power Investigating rights violation for migrant/plantation workers Improving measures for control of animal health epidemics Development of new strategies for improving nutrition of rural workers
Thank You