Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute

Interim Report on the Diagnostic Fieldwork and

Research Planning Process for Phonsay and Namo Districts

LSUAFRP Field Report 2002/01

Lao-Swedish Upland Agriculture and Forestry Research Programme May 2002

Socio-Economic Component & Farming Systems Research Extension Component

LSUAFRP Field Report 2002/01

Interim Report on the

Diagnostic Fieldwork and Research Planning Process for Phonsay and Namo Districts

Socio-Economic Component & Farming Systems Research Extension Component

Lao-Swedish Upland Agriculture and Forestry Research Programme May 2002

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE FIELD EXERCISE............................................................................1 1.2. WHO WAS INVOLVED AND HOW IT WAS ORGANIZED........................................................2 1.3 RESEARCH SITE SELECTION..............................................................................................3

2. FIELDWORK METHODS............................................................................................3

2.1 PRE-FIELDWORK PREPARATIONS ....................................................................................5 3.2 FIELDWORK .....................................................................................................................5 3.3 POST-FIELDWORK DATA PROCESSING ..........................................................................10

3. INITIAL SUMMARY OF DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS AND INDICATIVE FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS.............................................................................................10

4. PROPOSALS FOR THE RESEARCH AGENDA IN 2002......................................22

5. NEXT STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PLANNING PROCESS ................................30

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1. INTRODUCTION

his interim report covers the period from the initiation of in-house training seminars in early March through the field work to the tabling of a proposal for a research agenda for the current year. It is neither a final, in-depth report on the findings of the

diagnostic fieldwork nor a full description of the detailed research protocols, which are still being formulated at the time of this report. The purpose of this document is to provide an interim progress report on the fieldwork and research planning process and a preview of the emerging research agenda. Additional reports on the substantive findings coming out of this process will be the subject of future reports and scientific publications. 1.1 Background to the field exercise As stated in the Government’s Strategic Vision for the Agricultural Sector (MAF 1999) and elsewhere, the Ministry of Agriculture envisages an area-based conservation and livelihood systems approach to development with a demand-driven research and extension system that supports local people’s active involvement in their own development. NAFRI has articulated a strategy for supporting this vision through its Long Term Strategic Research Plan for Natural Resource Management in Lao PDR (NAFRI 2001), which calls for a holistic approach to natural resource management and places primary emphasis on adaptive research. NAFRI will use a Farming Systems Research (FSR) approach to plan and coordinate the activities of its various Research Centres, integated at the top conceptual level with a watershed perspective in the physical landscape and a livelihood perspective in the human dimension. A similar approach is being developed by NAFES, the new National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service. Upgrading of staff capacity at District and Provincial levels will enable NAFES to provide support to village development through Provincial and District extension structures. Activation of research-extension linkages will enable NAFRI and NAFES to work hand-in-hand with farmers in the adaptive research and extension process to develop a menu of production choices consistent with local opportunities and market signals. Phase 1 of the Lao-Swedish Upland Agriculture and Forestry Research Programme is conceived as a pilot programme whose purpose is to assist NAFRI to explore ways of implementing this strategy. Based on more than two decades of international experience and supported by a strong consensus from stakeholders in Lao PDR, the Farming Systems Research/Extension (FSR/E) approach is considered the best way to build institutional capacity for interdisciplinary research and development. At the Inception Workshop in late February, it was agreed that the diagnostic and research planning phase of the multidisciplinary FSR effort would commence as soon as possible in order to put a research programme on the ground within the rainy season of 2002. A concerted effort has been made to meet that challenge through an intense schedule of activities:

T

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Programme Startup 25 Feb-1 March Inception Workshop

Training Seminars 11 March "Introduction to FSR" 13 March "Methods of FSR" 14-15 March "Macro Level Diagnosis and Design for the Field Site using Secondary

Information"

Fieldwork preparations 17-22 March Group exercises on synthesis of existing secondary information:

1) Descriptive group (land use, farming systems, GIS) 2) Diagnostic group (livelihoods, farming systems, shifting cultivation) 3) Design group (indigenous technologies, externally proposed solutions to problems of shifting cultivation)

Fieldwork 25-30 March Phonxay District (group interviews, household interviews, indig. tech. inventory) 1-6 April Nam Mo District (reconnaissance, group interviews, disciplinary interviews) 8 April Return visit to Phonxay for disciplinary interviews) 7 April Compilation of data in Luang Phabang

Post-Fieldwork Follow-up 22-26, 29 April Data compilation, analysis, discussion and research planning 30 April Workshop presentation of first compilation of fieldwork results and commencement

of the research planning process (with Components & Centres) 3 May 2nd Research Planning Workshop 10 May 3rd Research Planning Workshop

1.2. Who was involved and how it was organized Given the importance of institutional capacity building in the LSUAFRP, a brief note on how the work behind this report was organized is in order. 15 staff members from NAFRI research centres and stations, together with 2 international advisors, were joined by 1-2 staff members from each district to carry out the fieldwork itself and an additional 21 people joined the research planning meetings (see Annex 1 for pictures from the fieldwork and Annex 2 for a list of participants). The participants deserve full credit for a massive amount of data collection based on observation and sensitive dialog with the villagers and for participation in the subsequent data compilation, analysis and research planning activities. Working closely with the Farming Systems Component, the Socio-Economics Component of the programme took the lead in the planning and coordining the preparatory training, data analysis, fieldwork and the first round of analysis in the diagnostic and design survey process, culminating in the presentation of findings at the meeting on 30 April. From that point on the Farming Systems Component has taken the lead in coordinating the detailed research planning by programme components, NAFRI centres and stations. The drafting of this report was done by the Socioeconomics Component in close collaboration with the Farming Systems Component, which contributed greatly to the documentation of results. In order to ensure that the research and development process continues to track relevant improvements in the village livelihood systems, it is envisaged that the Socio-Economics Component may again take an active role in providing methods for iterative re-diagnosis and

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re-design activities with villagers during subsequent rounds of the participatory M&E process at an appropriate time in the Annual Cycle (see Annex 3). It is envisaged that, in addition to sharing responsibility for technical coordination of the multidisciplinary process, the staff of both of these lead components will also carry out their own disciplinary assignments, along with other relevant NAFRI Research Centres and Field Stations, and cooperate with other units as necessary to implement the emerging research plan. All participating NAFRI Centres and Stations have contributed substantial inputs of time and expertise in defining the relevant research plans and as members of the multi-disciplinary review and planning meetings. The entire process is a good example of the kind of interdisciplinary cooperation that is needed for successful development guided by a Farming Systems Research/Extension (FSR/E) approach. 1.3 Research site selection The actual selection of the four villages in each of the two districts was not done by the field research team according to farming systems methods. However, the districts chosen are poverty districts and the village selection, as it turns out, is highly consistent with what might have been arrived at using farming systems methods. The chosen villages are the focus of intense development interest within the districts, accompanied by attempts to rationalize development support by relocation of villages from the hinterlands to the roadside. Thus, in actual fact, these villages are representative of the zone of "intensifying farming systems" in designated "focal areas" and, as such, provide the richest possible offering of development problems and research questions for farming systems research. Also, as a matter of principle, research should be integrated with development and researchers should have good relations with the districts in which they work. For all these reasons, the chosen villages are "where the action is" and represent a reasonable place for the Lao-Swedish research programme to begin its farming systems research for the uplands. However, as the research program develops the research dynamic itself should begin to exert a stronger influence on the choice of new sites for research. At the research planning meetings it was further clarified that additional survey research and studies needed to support the experimental research at the focal research sites need not itself be restricted to those sites. For example, research comparing the labour requirements of various tillage and non-tillage alternatives to shifting cultivation in the focal research area might want to gather data on the hai khut system of land preparation, which is found in Phou Koun District but not (thus far) in the focal districts. 2. FIELDWORK METHODS Orientation to the concepts and methods of Systems Research was given in three in-house training seminars in March. Key concepts behind the approach presented in those seminars are given in Annex 4. An overview of the specific methods used in the pre-fieldwork, fieldwork and post-fieldwork periods is given below, followed by a brief discussion of each phase.

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OVERVIEW OF FIELDWORK METHODS

Pre-Fieldwork (1 week) Compilation and review of existing Descriptive Information • Maps, satellite images, GIS printouts • Statistical and descriptive secondary data sources Summary of existing Diagnostic Information • Pak Ou diagnostic report • NAFES (PFM) fieldwork in the selected districts • Publications on problem analysis in shifting cultivation Fieldwork (2.5 weeks) Multidisciplinary Teams Reconnaissance visits within the focal areas Discussions with District officials & Village Headmen Village statistics Group interviews (men/women, ethnic groups), including use of: • Village resource maps • Cropping calendars • Village history (time lines) Household level interviews (Phonxay) • Households representative of wealth category or ethnic group • Photographs and direct observation • Causal analysis Technology inventory • Using an adapted version of the methods developed by LSFP for Inventory of Indigenous Technology Informal social methods • “Walking, talking and eating” (i.e. opportunistic mobile survey accompanied by social interaction with the villagers) Mid-stream analysis topics for in-depth investigation by disciplinary teams Disciplinary Teams (crops, livestock, forestry, socio-economics; based on"assignments" from the “mid-stream analysis”) • Focus group interviews • Household interviews • In-depth causal analysis • Photographs and direct observation • "Walking, talking and eating" Post- Fieldwork (3.5 weeks) Compilation of findings of the Multidisciplinary Teams • Clean record of each group interview (~ 20 interviews for analysis by SE Team) • Clean record of household interviews Compilation of findings of the Disciplinary Teams • Summary tables • Textual explanations Discussion, priority setting and assignment of responsibilities for specific research lines Detailed Research Planning (Field Team + Components & Centres staff) Next Steps in the Villages Discussion of "Menu of Options" with Villagers to identify: • Village Interest Groups • On-farm Research participants Commencement of On-Farm Research and other research follow-up

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2.1 Pre-Fieldwork Preparations Full awareness of existing knowledge about the research area is a prerequisite for a good result and efficient use of staff time in Farming Systems fieldwork. Following the introductory training seminars, the assembled multidisciplinary field team was divided into three groups and given the task of compiling and digesting existing secondary information of three types: Descriptive Information

• Maps, satellite images, GIS printouts • Statistical and descriptive secondary data sources

Diagnostic Information • Pak Ou diagnostic report (IUARP) • NAFES fieldwork in the selected districts (UDPAP PFM) • Existing literature on diagnostic analysis of problems of shifting cultivation

Design Information • Indigenous Technology Inventory data from Laos (based on survey conducted in an

agroforestry training course given by LSFP with the Thong Khang Station staff in Luang Phabang in 1991)

• Existing literature on solutions to problems of shifting cultivation in Laos 3.2 Fieldwork

Intelligent flexibility in the use of a variety of methods is the key to good diagnostic research. The special strength of this particular fieldwork was a fruitful combination of both interdisciplinary and disciplinary methods. The methods used by the multidisciplinary teams enabled them to understand the livelihood and farming systems of the villages in a holistic way and to pinpoint the areas of the systems in which special problems or opportunities exist. The disciplinary teamwork then enabled the specialist groups to conduct in-depth follow-up investigations on the exact nature of the problems and opportunities previously identified by the multidisciplinary groups. It also amplified those perceptions and discovered additional problems and opportunities at a deeper level of understanding.

This combination of methods enables the resulting research or extension activities to focus on real problems and opportunities in a way that is highly relevant to the livelihood concerns of the participating villagers. It is important that the perspectives obtained in the course of the fieldwork are carried forth into the planning of follow-up activities, even while the circle of consultation is broadened to other experts who may not have participated in the fieldwork.

3.2.1 Multidisciplinary Teamwork

Among the methods used by the multidisciplinary teams were: Reconnaissance visits Key informant interviews (with district officials, extension agents, village headmen) Village statistics Group interviews on livelihood, including: • Separate interviews for men's and women's groups and different ethnic groups

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• Village resource maps • Cropping calendars • Village history (time lines) Household interviews (Phonxay only) • Households representative of wealth category or ethnic group • Photographs and direct observation • Causal analysis Inventory of Indigenous Technology

Reconnaissance visits, sometimes called “windshield surveys,” are a standard way of getting oriented to a new field site. It is at this time that many preconceptions and false ideas about “what’s out there” drop away, creating space in the minds of the researchers for a more accurate picture of the realities of the field situation. The first of the many questions which now come to mind are often cleared up by discussions with key informants. It is also observed that the closer you get to the village the fewer errors and contradictions there are in the statistical information about the villages. Having wrestled with these contradictions in the pre-fieldwork period, the researchers welcomed the opportunity to get the information directly from the Village Headman. The key method for the multidisciplinary teams was the Group Interviews focusing on livelihood issues and opportunities (see guidelines in Annex 5) and using a variety of tools, such as village resource mapping, cropping calendars/activity calendars, and village time lines. In order to encourage full participation and to differentiate the different perceptions of needs and opportunities by the different groups, separate interviews were conducted for men and women and, in the case of villages were there were large numbers of people in different ethnic groups (e.g. Ban Nam Bo in Phonsay), separate interviews were conducted for the different ethnic groups (also segregated by gender). This procedure generated a large number of Group Interview records, which can be analyzed for insights into differences and similarities between the ethnic groups and the genders. Comparative analysis of this type is a rewarding but time-consuming activity, which the Socio-Economics Component will attend to whenever time becomes available over the next year. For purposes of planning the first round of research activities it was sufficient for the farming systems team to be exposed to these different viewpoints and to bear them in mind in a general way while going forward with the immediate research planning activities. The details of the eventual comparative analysis will form the basis of proposals for in-depth follow-up investigations and, eventually, for more precise targeting of research and development activities. At this beginning stage, however, such information was not only unavailable, but it would have been totally overwhelming to the research planning process. Thus, the first rounds of research proposals address the main problems and opportunities of the different villages. Additional rounds will be needed to ensure that equity concerns are fully met. Household interviews were also conducted following the group interviews in order to focus in on differences between different types of households. The data from these interviews will also be a focus of further analysis by the Socio-Economic Component. For purposes of immediate research planning, however, they were less useful than the group interviews (for reasons explained below). One additional method used by the team was Inventory of Existing Technology, using an adapted version of the method featured in a practical training exercise conducted by the LSFP Forestry and Sloping Lands Research advisors in 1999 (presently serving as Socioeconomics and Farming Systems advisors in the current program).

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This approach is potentially very significant for NAFRI's adaptive research program in that it identifies and documents indigenous technologies and/or new technologies that address the diagnosed problems and opportunities and that are already being practiced by innovative farmers in the research area (see the survey guidelines in Annex 6). A working list of some 48 such technologies practiced in northern Lao was prepared by the pre-fieldwork working group on Design as part of the preparations for the fieldwork (see Annex 7). An attempt was made to extend this inventory to Phonsay during the course of the fieldwork. Unfortunately, there were some problems in documenting the results of this activity, but this can be rectified in due course when more time is available for the survey.

3.2.2 Mid-stream analysis Unlike formal statistical surveys, which wait until all the data is gathered before starting the analysis, farming systems research is a stochastic process that requires that the initial analysis be done as the fieldwork progresses in order to provide the necessary steering mechanism for subsequent data collection. Farming systems surveys seek to minimize “observational error,” while conventional statistical surveys are designed to minimize "statistical error." The reason that FSR has tended to replace conventional formal survey methods in most international and national research centres is that for research planning purposes it is more important to identify the right variables through a holistic understanding of the situation than to obtain a high degree of statistical precision on what may turn out to be the wrong variables (i.e. those variables thought to be important by the researcher before actually becoming familiar with the field situation ).1 In this fieldwork the most important "stochastic" event was the review meeting of the whole team held mid-way through the fieldwork process in Namo to discuss the findings of the multidisciplinary group interviews in order to identify the critical topics for in-depth follow-up by the disciplinary teams (see Table 1). The topics for follow-up were of three types: problems, opportunities, and significant activities. Once these topics were identified, the team regrouped into disciplinary sub-teams in order to conduct the in-depth follow-up. The disciplinary groups were: cropping systems, livestock, forestry, and socio-economics (the later was joined by the farm machinery specialist because of a shared interest in the labor variable).

1 In the early days of Farming Systems Research (i.e. the 1970s), "informal" farming systems type surveys were usually followed by "formal" statistical surveys, which were initially thought to be necessary to “validate” the findings of the informal surveys. However, since the formal surveys never overturned the findings of properly conducted informal surveys, they were eventually discontinued in the interest of efficiency.

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Table 1. Midstream analysis of livelihood and farming systems problems, opportunities and significant activities in survey villages in Nam Mo District, identified by the multidisciplinary teams and recommended to the disciplinary teams for in-depth follow-up

Systems/ Disciplines

Problems Loc. Code

Opportunities Significant Activities

CROPPING Lowland rice (na) • Wet season • Dry season

Low paddy yield Lack of water Lack of buffalo for plowing Rice gall midge Transplants die due to cold

1,2,3,4,5 2,4 2,4 2,4,5 1

Try new varieties Optimize timing of transplanting

Watermelon (intensive Chinese system) (1) Cucumber (1) Chinese rat control (4)

Upland rice (hai) Rice gall midge Wild pig damage Low fertility & weeds due to short fallow

2,4,5 1,2,3,4,5 1,4,5

Upland cash crops Sugar cane production Expansion of corn

Upland plowing (5) Problem-free homegarden (1)

Fruit trees Mango & jackfruit pests Free range livestock damage seedlings (fencing problems)

1 3,4,5

Test fruit trees (2,5) Nursery development

Fruit tree growing (1)

Rubber Study potential for rubber plantations

LIVESTOCK/ FISHERIES Small livestock Mortality due to disease

Lack of feed in dry season 1,2,3,4,5 5

Use of yang resin for disease control in pigs (3) Free-range livestock far from the road have little or no disease (3)

Large livestock Mortality due to disease 2,5 Fisheries Develop fishponds (5) FORESTRY NTFPs Stealing of cardamom 4 Domestication of

cardamom and peuak meuah (1) In-situ management of bitter bamboo and cardamom (4,5) In-situ management of hed daeng (2,3)

Peuak meuak gathering (2,3) Cardamom gathering (1,2,3,4) Bitter bamboo gathering (1,2,3,4,)

SOCIO-ECONOMICS Economics Marketing of crops & NTFPs

- Ginger, sesame - Fruit trees - Low prices Lack of funds for irrigation & other development

5 1 1,4 4

Market opportunities for rubber, sugarcane, mushroom, bitter bamboo?

Silk production (1) Drying oven (2) Rice alcohol (1)

Land/resource issues

Land disputes Tax on new paddy land? Lack of drinking water

2,3,5 2 3,4

Labor-saving tools? Rice pounder? (1)

Health Malaria/diarrhea (2,3,5) Opium addition (2,3,4,5) High birthrate

2,3,5 2,3,4,5

Education Lack of educational opportunity for women and children

2 3

Location Codes:

1. Namo Neua 2. Saysampan (Mixay) 3. Saysampan (Phousang)

4. Pang Dou 5. Pang Thong

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The information represented in this table was developed on a whiteboard at a “midstream analysis” meeting of the team as a whole and it provided the disciplinary teams with three different “entry points” for in-depth analysis in the designated villages: identified problems, perceived opportunities (if any were already apparent), and “significant activities (i.e. things which at this time were felt to be important but not well understood; deeper analysis might reveal problems or opportunities). Not all of the leads were significant or relevant (e.g. health and education issues outside of NAFRI’s scope), but in general they provided good pointers toward important questions of relevance to specific villages. It was then up to the disciplinary teams to decide how to proceed in following up on these leads. Compared to the tables produced at later stages, the problems and opportunities were only dimly perceived and vaguely defined at the time this table was prepared, but in-depth follow-up allowed the most important ones to be formulated more precisely. As in all fieldwork of this type, the more the teams observed and probed the deeper and clearer their perceptions became.

3.2.3 Disciplinary Teamwork Based on the information in the table above the disciplinary teams set their priorities and independently organized their time for the remainder of the fieldwork in the research site. Each visit would bring them more understanding and allow them define more precisely the remaining information gaps and set the agenda for additional visits. In this way they quickly zeroed-in on the needed information. Often the disciplinary team conducting the follow-up would consult with members of the multidisciplinary team making the recommendation in order to clarify what exactly had already been learned about the situation they were about to investigate. Thus, even as they switched from multidisciplinary teamwork (group interviews) to functioning as a specialist in their own field of expertise, everyone in the whole team was involved to some extent in everyone else’s work, and everyone followed the daily “news” from the other teams with interest. The disciplinary groups for this exercise were: Crops, Livestock/Fisheries, Forestry, and Socioeconomics/Farm Machinery (the Farm Machinery specialist joined the Socioeconomics group because of the mutual interest in farm labor and production efficiency). The methods used by the disciplinary teams were similar to those of the multidisciplinary groups (household level interviews, focus group interviews, in-depth causal analysis, brainstorming, photographs and direct observation, and ‘walking, talking and eating’), but their focus was different. Probably the most important of these was the use of “causal analysis” to identify the exact nature of the problems and “brainstorming” to explore alternatives with villagers to ascertain which solutions were feasible in the village context. For experienced Farming Systems researchers with an interdisciplinary mindset these latter methods can be used equally well in multidisciplinary teams, but for new trainees it is easier to learn the methods with a group of like-minded persons in a disciplinary team. Hopefully, over time, the researchers will learn to do this in multidisciplinary teams as well. In any case, the tendency toward disciplinary narrowness was neutralized in these particular individuals by their prior involvement in the multidisciplinary livelihoods systems analysis. For this approach to succeed, it needs to be applied as a two-step method.

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3.3 Post-Fieldwork Data Processing In addition to the time spent together compiling findings in the field and in Luang Phabang, the disciplinary groups continued to function even after returning to Vientiane, further processing the field information, analyzing the findings and defining the emerging research proposals. Taking the farming system findings and preliminary research ideas back home for consultation and further development by their disciplinary colleagues in their own Research Centres and Stations was a crucial step. As the research planning progressed the heads of the Centres and Stations and senior staff participated more actively in the multidisciplinary meetings which reviewed and refined the research proposals. As of the time of this progress report there have been four joint activities of the growing multidisciplinary team (field team + Centre/Station staff):

Date of Activity Composition and Purpose of the Meeting 22-26 April Field team/representatives of the disciplinary groups met to define the agenda for a

week of data compilation and analysis prior to the presentation on 30 April. During this week they worked within their groups and consulted with their Centres/Stations.

30 April 1st Research Planning Workshop. Disciplinary group representatives presented the first compilation of fieldwork results (Table X below) to NAFRI. Heads and other staff of Programme Components, Research Centres and Stations attended this workshop and entered actively into the first round of review and research planning.

3 May 2nd Research Planning Workshop. Refinement of proposals for Namo. 10 May 3rd Research Planning Workshop. Refinement of proposals for Phonsay.

The aim of the data process exercise in the week of 22-30 April was to compile a clean record of each group interview (~20) and each household interview (~20), and a tabular summary of the diagnostic findings and indications for research follow-up. The summary table for both districts was presented to the 1st Research Planning Workshop on 30 April and reviewed by the assembled heads and staff of the Research Centres and Stations, the component leaders, the field team and the advisors in a meeting chaired by the Deputy Director General in which the general priorities and procedures were discussed. Following a period of consultation and planning within the participating Components, Centres and Stations, the 2nd and 3rd Research Planning Workshops continued with an in-depth review of the research plans and priorities for near term research in Namo and Phonsay Districts, respectively. The main output of this step-by-step process was an increasingly refined set of summary tables leading to a specific research agenda for the current year. Detailed documentation and analysis of the substantive findings of the fieldwork is a much longer work in progress. 3. INITIAL SUMMARY OF DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS AND INDICATIVE

FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS It is important to recognize that the information presented in the next set of tables is not the final result of the research planning process. This is the indicative information as it came directly out of the fieldwork. The value of these initial tables was in their use at an intermediate step in the formulation of the research proposals. They also have a more lasting value as an abbreviated summary of the most important diagnostic information gleaned from the field exercise and as a record of the systems context of the research proposals (i.e. which problems or opportunities in which systems the research is intending to address). They also include many village specific diagnostic observations, perceptions of opportunities, extension proposals and ideas for research that might not have been selected as immediate priorities for development of research proposals but which might later be taken up for further research

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follow-up, or be taken up by extension specialists for direct action. The selection of topics for immediate research attention was based not only on their perceived importance to the diagnosed systems, but also on the feasibility of preparing research proposals and launching research efforts in the short term. The fact that something has not been selected for inclusion in the research agenda for this year does not necessarily mean that it is not important.

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Table 2. Results of problem analyses by disciplinary teams in Phonsay district, Luang Prabang province

SYSTEMS (Phonsay)

PROBLEMS/CAUSES LOC. CODE

OPPORTUNITIES RESEARCH TOPICS ACTION/ PRIORITY

CROPPING UPLAND CROPPING

- Upland rice (hai) - weeds & low fertility =>after young fallow

- stony soil - drought - white grubs, rats - high labor input in hai - no suitable variety for poor soil

1b, 2c, 4c 2c,4c 4c 4c 2c 2c

- improved fallows - resistant/tolerant varieties

(white grub, drought, poor soil) - cover crops ?

- study effect of use herbicide & salt (soil, weed control

- study local weed control methods (salt, herbicides, labour)

- test & demonstrate promising local varieties

- search for suitable cover crops in rice

- study rat species & integrated control

- improved fallow (p.pea, paperm.)

- search abroad for suitable weeding tools

Rs Rm Rs/ Rm D, Rm Rs Rm D, Rl

1 2 3

- Upland job's tears (hai mak duay)

- pests (rats, wild pigs, "djou djee" stemborer, termites, ants)

- disease/parasite ("yan") => in July - Thai black variety cannot be sold - not suitable in riverbed garden

3a,b 3a,b 3a,b

- soil improvement for (permanent) job's tears production

- possible to change to use of local varieties

- development of pest control methods for job's tears (rat & wild pigs)

- study rat & wild pig control methods

- observation trial of job's tears in permanent and shifting fields (effects on soil, yield)

- test sustainable methods of permanent job's tears cultivation

- market study (soc-ec)

Rm Rs Rl Rs

1 1

LOWLAND CROPPING

- lack or too limited lowland rice fields

1,2a,b,3b 4 - -

- Lowland (rainfed) wet season rice

- lack of water, => rainfed conditions, traditional weir

- pest damage (stemborers, rice gall midge, leaf roller caterpillar ("bong ham baj), ants, rats)

- late planting => lack of buffaloes - lot of weeds ("pak gat", "pak wed",

"ya wai") - use same variety year after year

without reselection of seed

3a - select suitable varieties (e.g. gall midge tolerant)

- raise large livestock in paddy in dry season

- variety trial (incl. gall midge tolerant varieties)

- test raising livestock in paddy in dry season (soil, yield)

- study or test improved lowland rice management (variety & management?)

Rs Rs Rs

1 2 2

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SYSTEMS (Phonsay)

PROBLEMS LOC. CODE

OPPORTUNITIES RESEARCH TOPICS ACTION/ PRIORITY

RIVERBED GARDEN

-

- Wet season upland rice

- white stemborer (damages root at tillering)

- lot of weeds - grasshoppers => one spray of chemical

pesticides (DDT, Sevin)

2c 2c 2c

- plouging for weed control (though will increase stemborer incidence)

- development of productive permanent cropping

- inform on alternatives to dangerous DDT use

- observation yield trial (effects of different permanent crop rotations on soil & yields)

- study upland rice cultivation in riverbed garden

Rs Rs

1 1

- Irrigated dry season corn

- pests (tillering: rats & "meng krapom", seed set: rats)

- "din dak" soil => poor yield - weeds ("nya heo mu")

2c 3b

- select suitable land for cultivation

- observation yield trial of corn for animal & human consumption

Rs 2

- Irrigated dry season cabbage

- choice of unsuitable varieties (fake seed, cabbage does not "close")

- sale in main season => low price - planting early on Aug => seed

establishment problems - diseases & pests: caterpillars ("bong"

kiow, - lay & - kom), "plia peng see kao" rats, grass-hoppers

2c - further development of marketing cabbages

- interest in planting early (and late) in season under plastic

- farmer interest in trying raised beds

- study and test suitable varieties - test improved seedbed technology

for planting in August - test use of raised beds - test biological pest control - study interest in other dry season

crops (yard long bean, soybean, mungbean, tomato)

- do cost – benefit analysis (s-ec)

Rs Rs Rs Rm Rs Rs

1 1 3 3

FRUIT - pest damage (borers of lime) - limited experience with fruit trees - new activity - lack of funds for purchase seedlings - livestock (damage) ?

2c, 3b 2c 1a,2c,3b 1a,2c,3b 1a,2c,3b

- further increase in area for fruit e.g. like litchi, mango, lime, longan, pine apple & avocado likely

- increased farmer interest in planting fruit trees

- increased basic understanding on fruit cultivation & propagation

- improved livestock management

- study (& test) suitable fruit tree species & varieties for area tangerine, mango, litchi, longan, lime)

- study of intercrops which can be cultivated with fruit trees (= agro-forestry system, e.g. soy-, mungbean, vegetables)

- study of pests & diseases in fruit orchard

- market studies (soc-ec)

Rs/Rm Rm Rl Rs

2

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SYSTEMS (Phonsay)

PROBLEMS LOC. CODE

OPPORTUNITIES RESEARCH TOPICS ACTION/ PRIORITY

LIVESTOCK Large livestock (catttle, buffalo, goats)

- mortality due to diseases (Entero toxemia)

- lack of capital for investment - lack of vaccination - limited feeding - no specific area for livestock - traditional husbandry - limited techniques

1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 4 1,2

- train village veterinarian - expand grazing land - use agricultural by-products as

feed - improve livestock and grazing

area management - carry out a vaccination program - support timely availability of

vaccine - take advantage of the

sustainable market - make use of parent stock

Small livestock (poultry and pigs)

- mortality due to diseases - lack of vaccination - mortality due to rat poison - lack of new breeds - lack of capital for investment

1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4

- train village veterinarian - EU project support - good market - potential for commercial

production - potential animal raising area

along the Huay Man - potential for raising pig in small

farm

AQUACULTURE Fish ponds - limited area

- lack of experience with fish ponds - lack of local fingerling source - lack of knowledge on use of feeding

material

2,3 abc 2 bc 1,2 bc 1,2 bc

- many streams - sufficient feed - communication available - high market demand

Integrated fish farm - fish species - feed On-station On-farm research (1,2)

Rs

Fingerling production

- villagers lack possibilities to produce different fingerlings

- area, site and technology for fingerling are undeveloped

2 c 2 c

- one suitable area for fingerling - production could be developed - enough broodstocks - some villagers have some

training in fingerling production

Fingerling production on-farm - quality and quantify of fingerlings - broodstock management

Rm

Frog culture - lack financing - lack of technology

1,2 bc 1,2 bc

- develop district plan for frog culture

- area available - sufficient feed material - water available for whole year

Frog culture on-farm - feed - seed - production

Rs

15

Deep pool culture

- it is illegal to catch fish at some times 2,3,4 abc - water available for whole year in deep pool

- deep water in many places

Cage culture in deep pools - fish species - feed

Rm

FORESTRY Plantations - forest area is very limited

- the village boundary is small - valuable timber trees are few

1,2,3,4 - develop tree plantations in own land

- introduce tree plantations in own land

- study on plantation of valuable tree species

NTFP: Paper mulberry

- limited planting area - no own land for many households - low quality bark - pest problems

1,2,3,4 - improve technology of planting/expanding plantation

- use of leaves and bark for animal feed

- use of wood for growing mushrooms

- study on varieties - study on pest control - study on animal feed processing - study on quality control in rainy

season storage

Fruit trees - limited planting area - limited use of improved varieties

2ab, 4c 2,4

- develop fruit nursery - study on suitable varieties for local conditions

- study on stem borer control - study on fruit processing &

storage (lime)

Sloping land agriculture

Erosion, water runoff, declining fertility

- develop appropriate sloping land technologies that the farmers will adopt

- study on appropriate low-input technologies for sustainable use of sloping land

SOCIOECONOMICS Land use planning

- insufficient land for production and living - land disputes and problems in merging

old and newly relocated villages

2,3,4 4

- convenient for communication and transport because near the road

- land use planning and land allocation research

D, Rs

Marketing - lack of confidence in markets - low and unstable price of products - insufficient market access for export of

goods - poorly developed distribution system

(lack of choice of middleman)

2,4 2,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4

- 10 day market in Nam Bo has potential for increasing income in 18 surrounding villages

- potential for development of direct selling (reduced dependence on traveling traders)

- potential for organizing marketing groups to increase sales and negotiating power

Marketing studies - existing market channels - market information system - local and export market potentials - direct sales potential - initial priority focus on: paper

mulberry, job’s tears, corn, dry season crops

Rs

Labor saving tools

- lack of labour and low labor-productivity of existing production systems

- lack of improved production tools

1,2,3,4 - potential for use of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK)

- potential for introduction of new agricultural and domestic tools

- study labor productivity of existing production methods and identify opportunities for use of labor-saving tools

Rs, D

16

Village finance - lack of finance for investment in livestock and improved cropping systems

1,2,3.4 - potential for improved land use and income from appropriate investments through village savings associations, rice banks, livestock banks, etc.

- study investment finance needs and existing finance systems and identify opportunities for improvement (e.g. through rice banks, livestock banks, savings-and-loan associations, etc.)

Rs, D

FARM MACHINERY CROPPING Land prepara-tion and management

- lack of labor and low labor-productivity - lack of improved tools and knowledge

about labor saving tools - lack of financing for buying equipment

1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4

- some villages have land with potential for use of small-scale farm machinery

- village savings banks could be developed

- research and development of upland seeding equipment (in cooperation with professional school)

- research and development of upland weeding equipment

Rs D

1

LIVESTOCK Feed processing

- lack of improved feed processing equipment and knowledge

1,2,3,4 - potential for planting forage crops for processing (corn, cassava, etc.)

- research and development of small-scale processing machinery (corn sheller, cassava cutter, pedal thresher, etc.)

Rs 1

FORESTRY Processing of NTFPs

lack of improved NTFP processing equipment and knowledge

1,2,3,4 - existing market access would support increased processing and sales

- research and development of tools for debarking of paper mulberry

D Rl

Codes:

1. Huay Man 2. Nam Bo 3. Ta Po 4. Huay Maha

A. Lao Loum B. Lao Theung C. Lao Sung

17

Table 3. Results of problem analysis by disciplinary teams in Nam Mo District, Oudomsay province SYSTEMS (Nam Mo)

PROBLEMS/CAUSES LOC. CODE

OPPORTUNITIES RESEARCH TOPICS ACTION/ PRIORITY

CROPPING UPLAND CROPPING

- Upland rice (hai) - weeds =>after young fallow - pests ( rats, birds, wild pigs, ants) - white grubs ? (wet years) - poor burn => if early rains - drought (some years - lodging (strong wind)

1,4,5 1-4 2,4,5 2,5 5 5

- improved fallows - cover crops ? - row planting ? - resistant/tolerant varieties (white

grub, drought, lodging)

- improved fallow - study effect of herbicides & salt

spray (soil, weeds) - test productive promising local

varieties - search for suitable cover crops in

rice

Rl Rm Rm D, Rl

- Upland corn (hai sali)

- lodging (tall plants, good soil) - weevils damage seed - harvest during rain - pests (rats, pigs, squirrel, "men")

5 5 5 5

- short varieties - improved seed storage - plough upland fields - intercrop corn with annual market

crops

- variety trial (short varieties) - study upland ploughing practice

(effects on soil, w Farm Mach) - test improved seed storage

methods

Rm Rs Rm

1

- Upland cash crops

- study potential of sugarcane & rubber cultivation

Rl

LOWLAND CROPPING

- lack of lowland rice fields - (=>lack funds for making paddies,

buying buffaloes)

1-5 2,4,5

- Lowland wet season rice

- lack knowledge on suitable varieties - rice gall midge - pests (grasshoppers, caterpillars,

rats, wild pigs, birds) - lack experience in lowland rice

cultivation - late transplanting (irregular rains) - lodging - lack of water

1,2,4,5 1,2,4,5 1,2,4,5 2,4,5 2,4,5 2,4,5 1,2,5

- select suitable varieties (gall midge tolerant)

- improved land preparation - melon after rice provides residual

fertilizer for wet season rice

- variety trial - rice – dry season crop rotation (or

observation trial) (income, labour, yield, soil)

- improved lowland rice management

Rs/Rm Rs Rm

1 1

- Lowland dry season rice

- poor germination seed (low temperatures)

- lack knowledge on dry season rice cropping (seed bed, transplanting)

- pests (grasshoppers, white caterpillar, ants, rats)

- harvest during rain

1 1 1 1

- select suitable cold tolerant varieties

- adjust cropping pattern (early planting of dry season rice after early/ medium duration wet season rice)

- trial cold tolerant varieties (incl early planting)

- improved dry season rice management

Rs Rs

1 3

SYSTEMS PROBLEMS LOC. OPPORTUNITIES RESEARCH TOPICS ACTION/

18

(Nam Mo) CODE PRIORITY Irrigated dry season water melon

- high investments required/bank credit comes late

- no permanent cropping possible on same land

- use of a lot of chemicals - market quite limited ?

1 1 1 1

- use of animal manure to reduce expenses

- use botanical pesticides instead of chemical pesticides

- study cause of yield reduction under permanent cropping (soil study)

- do cost – benefit analysis - animal manure – fertiliser trial

[incl herding/raising livestock in stable overnight?]

- study option of lower chemical input cultivation ?

Rs Rs Rs D, Rm

1 1 2

FRUIT - local varieties (small fruits) - traditional low input management

(planting, cultural practices) - fencing out livestock - limited markets - pests (rats,…) - cool fog =>mortality some species

1,5 1,5 3,4,5 1,5 1,5 5

- improved varieties and planting material

- improved planting and cultural methods

- improved livestock management

- market studies (soc-ec) - trial or study of suitable cold

tolerant species & varieties (e.g. japanese pear, peach, plum: intercrop with annuals =. agro-forestry system)

Rm

LIVESTOCK Large livestock (catttle, buffalo, goats)

- mortality due to Entero toxemia - mortality due to Thuktea which enter

cattle when they drink from the river - internal and external parasites - lack of vaccination - lack of interest in vaccination - limited availability of veterinary

services - slack village regulations concerning

livestock management

1 2,4 1,2,3,4,5 1 1,3,4 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,5

- make use of indigenous knowledge of herbal veterinary medicine

- local availability of species - year round supply of grass - support timely availability of

vaccination services

- village training - group livestock management - study sources of diseases - trial of growing feed for cattle

Small livestock (poultry and pigs)

- mortality due to diseases - lack of vaccination - disease spreads easily from feeding

areas near the road - lack of investment captial - lack of feed

1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,5 1,4,5

- support timely availability of vaccination services

- control and manage the movement of animals

- vaccine quality trial and control - training of villagers in use of

vaccines

AQUACULTURE Fish ponds - limited area

- lack of skill - lack of fingerlings - limit of fresh water - low temperature, long winter

1,2,3,4,5 ABC

- Potential to import fingerlings from China

- Potential for development of small pons

- develop fish ponds E

Frog culture - lack of technology 2,5 BC - Area is available Frog culture on farm Rm

19

- feed - production system

SYSTEMS (Nam Mo)

PROBLEMS LOC. CODE

OPPORTUNITIES RESEARCH TOPICS ACTION/ PRIORITY

FORESTRY NTFPs - Bitter bamboo

- area and yield of bamboo reduced - clear upland field in bamboo area - illegal harvesting (shoots & stems) - bitter bamboo occurs in diverse soils

and forests - fluctuating price - different shoot size, early, mid or

late season) - transport is complicated as areas are

far from road

1-5 4,5 4

- area can be expanded on its own in natural environment

- upland area closeby can be converted into bitter bamboo

- village regulations on NTFP use (harvesting, marketing, conservation areas) can be improved

- regeneration and improved management of bitter bamboo areas (domesticate and expand in natural forest)

- cost-benefit comparison of upland rice, annual cash crops & bamboo

- support the set up of user groups (harvest and market groups)

- study processing & storage

Cardamom - limited area, dispersed - grows only in specific areas =>

limited opportunity for expansion - diseases (white fungus ?) - irregular yield (high rainfall => no

yield) - irregular price - low quality due to premature

harvesting

- - potential for domestication (enrichment planting in natural forest)

- start having experience in domestication (variety, management => from China)

- village regulations (harvesting, management)

- relevant documentation from other projects (IUCN-NTFP)

- exchanging market information

- study cultivation & plant propagation in diverse forests (deng, green, Kuang Tung)

- yield trials of diverse varieties at different environments (soil, climate)

- study disease control & prevention methods

- study how to improve quality of produce

"Tout tiang" – "peuak meuak "– "nang noiw"

- grows dispersed in natural forest - limited interest of farmers

- good market and price - study cultivation and propagation methods in diverse forests

LAND USE - difficulties and conflicts still exist related to village land use

- not all stages of land allocation have been completed

- limited lowland paddy land - area is steep and mountainous - low yields of upland crops in steep

lands - young fallow; lot of erosion

1-5 - support the completion of all stages of land allocation

- study how upland crop yields can be improved by various means

- study a variety of permanent, sustainable and low input land uses (for sloping land)

SOCIOECONOMICS

20

Land use planning - land disputes between pangthong and kokfat villages (paddy, upland fields, ntfp collection area)

- shortage of cultivatable land for relocated people of kokfat village

- natao, phouxang, keola and mixay villages have conflict over ntfp collection area

- some lands between villages remain unassigned

- unfinished negotiations and land use planning/land allocation process

5 5 2,3 2,3 2,3,5

- potential for improvement of livelihoods by completion of land use planning, negotiation, and land allocation processes

- potential for better understanding

of land use planning/allocation needs and processes through research (policy & planning implications)

- study of impact of land use planning/land allocation and of ways to improve the process (jointly with Land Management Component)

D, Rs

1

Marketing - unstable prices - difficulty in finding buyers - dependence on traders coming to the

villages (passive marketing)

1,2,3,4,5 - potential for improved land use and livelihoods through improved marketing

Marketing studies - existing market channels - market information system - local and export market potentials - direct sales potential - initial priority focus on: bitter

bamboo, watermelon, ginger, sesame, legumes, sweet corn

Rs

Transportation and storage

- difficulty in transporting products - loss of quality through long storage - lack of local vehicles

1,2,3,4,5 - potential for improved livelihoods through improved access to transportation and improved storage

- Study of potential for improved storage and transportation

Rs

Labor productivity - lack of labor and low labor productivity (especially for weeding and harvesting)

- lack of labor-saving tools

1,2,3,4,5 - potential for spread of labor-saving tools from one innovator to other villagers

- potential for introduction of new labor-saving tools

- study of existing labor-saving tool usage (returns to labor, etc.)

- research and development of labor-saving tools (with Farm Machinery)

Rm

Household enterprises

- technical problems with existing household enterprises (e.g. silk worms)

- lack of capital to invest in household enterprises

1 1,2,3,4,5

- potential to increase income by improving and diversifying household enterprises

- study of the productivity of existing enterprises and identification of opportunities for improvement or introduction of new enterprises

Rs D E

FARM MACHINERY CROPPING Land preparation and management

- lack of labor and low labor-productivity

- lack of improved tools and knowledge about labor saving tools

- lack of financing for buying equipment

1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,5

- some villages have land with potential for use of small-scale farm machinery

- village savings banks could be developed

- high market potential because

- research and development of upland seeding equipment (in cooperation with professional school)

- research and development of upland weeding equipment

Rs D

1

21

close to Chinese border LIVESTOCK Feed processing

- lack of improved feed processing equipment and knowledge

1,2,3,4,5

- potential for planting forage crops for processing (corn, cassava, etc.)

- research and development of small-scale processing machinery (corn sheller, cassava cutter, pedal thresher, etc.)

Rs 1

FORESTRY Processing of NTFPs (cardamom, red mushroom)

- lack of improved NTFP processing equipment and knowledge

- difficulty in drying because harvested in rainy season

1,2,3,4,5

- grows naturally - existing market access would

support increased processing and sales

- study of existing drying equipment,

- development of improved drying equipment

Rs Rm

1

HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY Electricity generation

- lack of connection to the national power grid

- irregularity of electricity supply from micro- hydropower systems

1,2,3,4,5

- the potential of hydropower from streams could be developed

- micro-hydro systems could be made more efficient

- research and development of improved small scale electrical generating systems

Rm & Rl (changed to Rs --start this year)

Location and ethnic group codes: Nam Mo Villages 1. Nam Mo Nua 2. Saisampang (Mixay) 3. Saisampang (Phusang) 4. Pang Dou 5. Pang Thong

Ethnic Groups A. Lao Loum B. Lao Theung C. Lao Sung

22

4. PROPOSALS FOR THE RESEARCH AGENDA IN 2002 The final step, prior to the preparation of detailed protocols, was to screen and refine the list of research topics with the full participation of the Research Centres and Stations. The resulting proposed research agenda for Phonsay and Nam Mo Districts is given in the following tables: Table 4. 2002 research topics for Phonsay

Systems/Research Topics Act Loc Rank Who CROPPING UPLAND CROPPING 1. Test and demonstrate local

upland rice varieties 2. Study upland rice cover crops

& mulch systems

Rs D, Rm

4 1, 2, 4

1 1

HK ARC, LRC

1. Observation trial of job's tears in permanent and shifting fields (effects on yield & soil)

2. Study & collect local varieties with market prospects

Rs

Rs

3 3

1

1

TK, HK TK, HK, SE

LOWLAND CROPPING 1. Test methods of lowland rice

yield increase • Test raising cattle in the

dry season after rice (effect on yield, weeds, soil?)

Rs Rs

3 3

1 1

ARC ARC, LRC

RIVERBED GARDEN 1. Observation trial of different

cropping patterns e.g. rice , rice – corn, rice – cabbage (effects on yield & soil)

Rs 2 1 ARC,HDK, Soil

1. Study existing upland rice cultivation system in riverbed garden

Rs 2 1 ARC, HK,

1. Test (& study?) suitable cabbage varieties

2. Test cabbage cultivation technology (seedbed technology for early planting in August) .

Rs Rs

2 2

1 1

HDK HDK

1. Test other annual market crops (tomato, yard long bean, mungbean, soybean) in riverbed garden & hai

Rs 2 HDK

1. Study & test fruit tree species & varieties suitable for area (citrus sp, mango, litchi, longan)

Rs/ Rm

1, 2, 3 2 HDK, TK

23

Table 4. 2002 research topics for Phonsay Systems/Research Topics Act Loc Rank Who

LIVESTOCK All livestock 1. Study & test effective methods

of improving animal health

Rs 1 LRC

LARGE LIVESTOCK 1. Test use of locally available

animal feed sources Rs 4 1 LRC, FM,

SMALL LIVESTOCK 1. Test use of locally available

animal feed sources 2. Study promising local chicken

breeds (incl production data)

Rs

Rs

4 LRC,FM, TK LRC

FISHERIES Integrated fish pond development 1. Fish pond + pig, duck or poultry Test fish species 2. Fish pond + goat + forages (Huay Khot station) • Test fish species • Test feed

Rs Rs

1,2

1 Larrec,LRC

Larrec, HK

1. Test fingerling production at household level • Test fish species

Rs 2 1 Larrec

1. Test cage fish culture in village fish conservation area

• Test fish species

Rs 2,3,4 1 Larrec

1. Test frog raising at household level • Test feed • Test frog breeds • Frog multiplication

Rs 1, 2

1 Larrec

FORESTRY 1. Demonstrate & study benefits

of improved teak management (thinning for increased spacing, economic yield)

Rs,E 1- - 4 1 FRC/KB, SE, RE

1. Study on how to improve quality of paper mulberry (e.g. varieties, planting & cultural practices, harvesting & storage, market aspects) • Test varieties

Rs

1- - 4

1 FRC/KB

24

Table 4. 2002 research topics for Phonsay Systems/Research Topics Act Loc Rank Who

1. Study & compare economics of broomgrass domestication or conservation in uplands with that of other crops (rice, corn, job's tears)

Rs FRC, SE

Sloping land agro-forestry: 1. Test low-cost sustainable

sloping land techno-logies on permanent plots or with short fallow rotation consisting of a combination of tree/fruit + medium duration crops (banana, pine apple) + annuals (e.g corn, job's tears, rice)+ erosion control measures

Rs

1- - 4 1

FRC/TK, Soil, HDK

SOCIO-ECONOMICS 1. Field study of Land Use

Planning/Land Allocation issues and opportunities for improving the process

Rs 2, 3, 4 1 LM, SE

1. Conduct marketing studies for a wide range of ag-for products [see above & paper mulberry, job's tears, sesame, vegetables, legumes, fruit trees, etc.] focusing on: • Existing market channels • Local & export market

potential • Potential for processing • Potential for direct sales • Market information system • Other market improvements

Rs 1- - 4 2 SE + others

1. Study the labor productivity of existing production methods and identify opportunities for use of labor-saving tools

Rs 1- - 4 2 SE, FM

1. Study village finance needs and institutions and design and test improved finance mechanisms, e.g. rice banks, livestock banks, saving & loan associations

2. Study the productivity of existing household enterprises

Rs 1- - 4 SE, RE SE, E

25

Table 4. 2002 research topics for Phonsay Systems/Research Topics Act Loc Rank Who

FARM MACHINERY

Improved farm tools 1. Study and design suitable

upland planting tools (upland rice and corn)

2. Study & design upland rice

weeding tools

Rs

Rs

1 – 4 1 – 4

1

FM, SE FM, SE

Agricultural processing 1. Testing of small scale

agricultural processing equipment for animal feed (corn dehuller, grinder, cassava slicer, pedal rice thresher)

Rs

1 - 4

1

FM, SE

Electricity generation at household level 1 Test improved systems of micro-hydropower use • increased power by

electricity generation in stream diversion

• improve electricity wiring • improved protection of

water intake

Rs FM, SE

Code villages:

1. Huay Man 2. Nam Bo 3. Ta Po 4. Huay Maha

HK = Huay Khot, NAFRC ARS = Agricultiral Research Centre HDK = Had Dok Keo Research Centre LRC = Livestock Research Centre Larrec = Living Aquatic Resource Research Centre

FM = Farm Machinery Research Centre FRC = Forestry Research Centre FRC/TK = Thong Khang AF station FRC/KB- Ken Ben Teak Research Station SE = Socio-Economics component Soil = Soil Research and Classification Centre LM = Land Management component

26

Table 5. 2002 research topics for Nam Mo

Systems/Research Topics Act Loc Rank Who CROPPING UPLAND CROPPING 1. Study upland ploughing

practise for corn (effects on soil, yield, labour)

Rs 5 1 ARC, FM, SE

LOWLAND CROPPING 1. Observation trial of different

rice – dry season crop rotations [rice- rice, rice- melon, rice- yardlong bean] (effects on yield, soil, labour, income)

Rs 1

1 ARC, HDK, Soil

1. Test wet season rice yield improvement methods

Rs 1—5 1 ARC

1. Test dry season rice yield improvement methods (incl early planting)

Rs 1 1 ARC

1. Study cause of yield reduction under permanent cropping of water melon

2. Economic analysis of dry season crops

3. Animal manure trial of watermelon (+ animal raising in stable overnight?)

Rs

Rs

Rs

1 1 1

1

1

2

HDK, Soil HDK, SE HDK, LRC

LIVESTOCK All livestock. 1. Study natural feed sources

Rs 1—5 1 LRC

Small livestock 1. Test use of locally available

animal feed sources

Rs 1—5 1 LRC, FM, TK

FISHERIES 1. Test fish species and fingerling production at local station (ODX)

Rs 1 Larrec

Test frog raising at household level • Test feed • Test frog breeds • Frog multiplication

Rs 1

1 Larrec

FORESTRY 1. Test growth and yield of

different cardemom varieties ( green, red, Kwang Tung)

2. Study the effect and farmer acceptance of improved

Rs

Rs

1—5

1—5

2

1

FRC FRC

27

Table 5. 2002 research topics for Nam Mo

Systems/Research Topics Act Loc Rank Who cardemom management in natural forest

1. Study the effect and farmer acceptance of improved bitter bamboo management in natural forest

2. Study and compare cost-benefits of bitter bamboo, upland rice & upland cash crops

Rs

Rs

4, 5

4, 5

1

2

FRC FRC

1. Observation trial of "Tout Tiang" (growth and yield study in diverse forests ?)

Rs 4, 5 1 FRC

Sloping land agro-forestry: 1. Test low-cost sustainable

sloping land technologies on permanent plots or with short fallow rotation consisting of a combination of tree/fruit + medium duration crops (banana, pine apple) + annuals (e.g corn, job's tears, rice)+ erosion control measures

Rs

1—5 1

FRC/TK, Soil, HDK

SOCIO-ECONOMICS 1. Field study to better

understand Land Use Planning/Land Allocation issues and opportunities for improving the process

Rs

2,3,5 1 LM, SE

1. Conduct marketing study covering a wide range of products [see above + bitter bamboo, watermelon, ginger, sesame, legumes, sweet corn, etc.] focusing on: • existing market channels • local & export market

potential • potential for direct sales • market information system • other market improvements

Rs 1—5 1 SE + others

1. Study village finance needs and institutions and design and test improved finance mechanisms, e.g. rice banks,

Rs

1

SE, RE

28

Table 5. 2002 research topics for Nam Mo

Systems/Research Topics Act Loc Rank Who livestock banks, saving & loan associations

2. Study the productivity of existing household enterprises

Rs

1

SE, E

FARM MACHINERY Improved farm tools 1. Study and design suitable

upland planting tools (upland rice and corn)

2. Study & design upland rice weeding tools

Rs

Rs

1—4

1—4

1

1

FM, SE FM, SE

Agricultural processing 1. Testing of small scale

agricultural processing equipment (corn dehuller, grinder, cassava slicer, pedal rice tresher)

Rs

1—5

1

FM, SE

Processing of NTFP's 1. Study the use of oven for

drying NTFP's (cardemom, "red" mushroom)

Rs

2, 3

1

FM, SE

Code villages: 1. Namo Neua 2. Saysamphan (Mixay) 3. Saysamphan (Phousang) 4. Pang Dou 5. Pang Thong

HK = Huay Khot, NAFRC ARS = Agricultiral Research Centre HDK = Had Dok Keo Research Centre LRC = Livestock Research Centre Larrec = Living Aquatic Resource Research Centre

FM = Farm Machinery Research Centre FRC = Forestry Research Centre FRC/TK = Thong Khang AF station FRC/KB- Ken Ben Teak Research Station SE = Socio-Economics component Soil = Soil Research and Classification Centre LM = Land Management component

The above results are tabulated and summarized in different ways in the following tables, proving an overview of the proposed research agenda. It remains to be seen whether it will be possible to initiate all of the proposals in the current year. In assessing the implied work load, it should be recognized that only 18 out of 60 of the proposed activities are experimental trials. Some are surveys, some are engineering studies, others are studies which combine deskwork with field surveys to evaluate alternative solutions, others are only observation trials of existing technology. Keep in mind also that for the new experimental trials some of the screening will be done by the villagers themselves in the next round of consultations when the "menu of options" is presented to assess villager interest.

29

Table 6. Summary of research by location, type and lead research unit.

Centre PHONSAY NAM MO TOTAL Study Obs

trial New Trial

Total Study Obs. trial

New Trial

Total Study Obs. trial

New Trial

Unit

NAFRC/HK 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 ARC 2 1 2 5 1 1 2 4 3 2 4 9 HDK 1 3 4 2 1 3 3 0 4 7 LRC 2 2 4 1 1 2 3 0 3 6 Larec 5 5 2 2 0 0 7 7 FM 2 2 4 3 1 4 5 0 3 8 FRC-NTFP 1 1 3 1 1 5 4 1 1 6 FRC-TK 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 4 FRC-KB 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 2 SE 4 4 4 4 8 0 0 8 LM/Soil 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 2 TOTAL 15 2 17 34 15 2 9 26 30 4 26 60 * Larrec trials include 2 on-station experiments, one in each district Table 7. Summary List of Proposed On-Farm Experiments for Implementation In 2002 (not including non-experimental studies) No Trial topic Centre/station Where Village

1 Upland rice variety NAFRC Phonsay 1-4 2 Lowland rice yield trial ARC Phonsay 3 3 Lowland rice - manure ARC Phonsay 3 4 Cabbage variety HDK Phonsay 2 5 Cabbage - early seedbed HDK Phonsay 2 6 Other dry season crops HDK Phonsay 2 7 Animal feed - large livestock LRC Phonsay 4 8 Animal feed - small livestock LRC Phonsay 4 9 Integrated pond- fish species Larrec Phonsay 1,2

10 Fingerling production -fish sp. Larrec Phonsay 2 11 Cage fish - fish species Larrec Phonsay 2,3,4 12 Frog raising - feed Larrec Phonsay 1,2 13 Improved teak management - thinning FRC-KB Phonsay 1-4 14 Sloping land agro-forestry technologies FRC- TK Phonsay 1-4 15 Agricultural processing tools - animal feed FM Phonsay 1-4 16 Micro-hydropower - improvements FM Phonsay 1-4

1 Lowland rice yield trial ARC Namo 1-5 2 Dry season yield trial ARC Namo 1 3 Watermelon - manure HDK Namo 1 4 Animal feed - small livestock LRC Namo 1-5 5 Frog raising - feed Larrec Namo 1 6 Test cardemom varieties FRC Namo 1-5 7 Sloping land agro-forestry technologies FRC - TK Namo 1-5 8 Agricultural processing tools - animal feed FM Namo 1-5

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5. NEXT STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PLANNING PROCESS As discussed at the 1st Research Planning Meeting on April 30th, the next steps are as follows: Refine research proposals (short term prioritized research options)

• Work out details of each research topic (search, studies, observation trial, experiments) and decide on: • who will be involved, • where and when it will be implemented • how it will be carried out (treatments, number of farmers, etc)

• Develop rough criteria for farmer selection, number of farmers for each topic Prepare presentation on research options at villages

• Prepare a presentation on results of village problem analysis and the menu of potential technologies and research topics

• Prepare visuals, posters explaining research options, proposed for 2002 • Decide where (in which villages/districts) to do which presentations

Village presentation & cross visits

• Present results of village problem and opportunity analysis • Present and discuss technologies and research options with farmers • Evaluate farmer interest (what they select from the "menu") • Organize cross visits/study tour for interested farmers to villagers who practice

promising technologies/practices (linked to research options) nearby Site/farmer selection

• Revisit villages and assess which options are of interest to farmers, and make a final selection of research trials for implementation in 2002 based on farmers' interest

• Identify and select a feasible number of farmer research partners based on criteria (interest, location of fields, wealth, labour etc.)

• Form an interest groups of farmer-researchers for each option (or set of related options)

Start on-farm experiments

• Develop simple research protocols for experiments (objective, potential treatments, number of villages/farmers to support, research design, layout, data collection etc.)

• Prepare plant material and other inputs if needed • Provide specific on-the-job training to farmers (or interest groups) if needed prior to

start of experiment (e.g. fruit tree planting techniques) • Start experiments as soon as feasible

Start other research

• According to the scheduling of the participating research units