Search Filter
- Publications
- Abstract of Theses and Dissertations
- Database
- Livelihood Strategies of Upland Farmers in Nakai Resettlement...
Livelihood Strategies of Upland Farmers in Nakai Resettlement Villages, Khammouan Province, Lao PDR
Thesis Abstract:
The study focused on the livelihood strategies of upland farmers in Nakai Resettlement Villages in Khammouan Province in Lao PDR. The study sought to describe the socioeconomic profile of the upland farmers, examine their livelihood strategies, and analyze the factors influencing and the benefits derived from the different livelihood strategies. Research methods used included survey, key informant interviews, and review of documents. The respondents were composed of 82 adopters and 76 non-adopters from three villages. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, and Probit model was used to predict factors that affect adoption.
The adopters practiced different livelihood strategies, which included rice, maize, vegetable, pineapple, and cassava-based agroforestry farming system. Rice-based agroforestry farming system was the preferred agroforestry farming system, while the least preferred was the cassava-based agroforestry farming system. The non-adopters of agroforestry farming system practiced monocropping or were engaged in mainly NTFP collection and for a few, engaged in other sources of income such as operation of small enterprises.
Results showed that income and food sufficiency was associated with the type of cropping systems practiced by the farmers. In terms of income, adopters who were into rice-based, pineapple-based, and vegetable-based agroforestry were likely to generate more total household income than adopters who were maize-based and non- adopters who had the same range of household income. Adoption of agroforestry was highly associated with sufficiency of food products, level of food sufficiency, sufficiency of food stock, and food consumption sufficiency. Using Probit modeling, the significant factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry included religion, household size, total income, and the sufficiency of food products of household. As adopters experienced more food sufficiency, they tend to have more income. Recommendations revolved around interventions and research activities that would influence adoption of agroforestry farming system.