Enhancing Agro-biodiversity in Lao Uplands: Identifying and Utilizing Niche Habitats in Farm Landscapes

A Report Prepared for SDC by

V. Balasubramanian, Bounkong Souvimonh, Chanhsamone Phoungoudome, and

Bounthanh Keoboulapha

(Under consultancy with SDC: 02 Feb-02 Mar 2008)

(With inputs from: Kevin Kamp, Keith Fahrney, Werner Stur, Ben Samson, Sisongkham Mahathirath, Kongmany Sydara, Somboun Sonelitideth, Khamdok Sonyikhangsuthor)

Submitted to

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Vientiane, Lao PDR

March 2008

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary 2 1. Introduction 4 2. Agro-biodiversity in relation to Livelihood Systems in Lao PDR 5 2.1. Exploitation of agro-biodiversity by farmers in Lao uplands 5 2.2. Impacts of biodiversity loss on people’s livelihoods 6 2.3. Conservation and restoration ecology approaches to biodiversity 7 3. Natural Plant, Animal, and Aquatic Species that Support Livelihoods in Lao PDR 8 4. Aquatic Agroecosystem Restoration Ecology 9 4.1. Montane paddy ecosystems 9 4.2. Riparian ecosystems 10 4.3. Stream ecosystems 11 4.4. Micro-aquatic environments 12 4.5. Extra-micro environments 13 5. Terrestrial Agroecosystems 14 5.1. Domestication and cultivation of NTFPs 14 5.2. Short fallow/coppicing/legume agroecosystems 15 5.3. Permanent cultivation in favorable uplands systems 16 5.4. Tree plantations and multipurpose trees in farms 18 5.5. Livestock production systems 18 6. Conclusions 20

Acknowledgements 21 Annexes Annex A. Production Systems, Agriculture Technologies and ABD Options 22Annex B. Production Systems Impacts on Poverty, Environment and ABD 25Annex C. Ecological Restoration Options 27Annex D. NTFP Domestication Opportunities 36Annex E. Ecological and Environmental Services from Biodiversity 41Annex F. Examples of Commercial Exploited NTFPs in the Lao PDR 43Annex G. Summary of Agriculture Technologies Versus Agro-ecological Zones and Options for ABD 44Annex H. References and Study Materials 48

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Biodiversity means the diversity of all life forms on earth. Both terrestrial and aquatic species constitute the food chains for all living organisms from single-cell bacteria to plants, insects, animals, and humans. In the mountainous terrain of northern Laos, a typical landscape consists of mountain tops or crests, sloping uplands, and valley bottoms. The terrestrial species decrease and the aquatic species increase as one moves from mountain-tops to valley bottoms. Farmers have been using the variability in land forms, soil quality and moisture/water availability on the landscape to grow different crops and animal species. Thus, cultivated lands and farms are a contiguous part of the larger landscape. However, owing to population growth and rapid modernization and development of the country, an unprecedented pressure has been placed on all natural resources (land, water, plants and animals) and ecosystems. Laos was once rich in biodiversity, but it is fast declining due to inappropriate farming methods (slash-and-burn agriculture, cultivation on steep slopes, planting along slopes, degradation of riparian ecosystems), excessive grazing of community grassland, over-exploitation of forest (timber and non-timber) products, monoculture plantations of maize, cassava, tea, teak and rubber and the encroachment of forests and farmlands by big farmers and large companies. The rural people, who constitute about 80% of the nation’s population, are the most vulnerable to declining biodiversity, degraded environments and changing climate. The incidence of poverty and child malnutrition is high in northern uplands. Essentially, the rural people are caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty and poverty-induced degradation of the environment and the consequent destruction of biodiversity. Urgent action is therefore needed to simultaneously improve people’s livelihood and safeguard the remaining biodiversity in the country. Conservation approaches which focus primarily on the preservation of species with less emphasis on people’s welfare has been the main approach of most biodiversity projects. The conservation approach may be applicable to forest ecosystems and game parks where few people depend upon these resources for livelihood security, but not very effective in enhancing biodiversity in areas where farming is the major activity and biodiversity resources are vital for human welfare. Therefore, a new model of biodiversity conservation in needed in the cultivated areas of upland Laos , not by restricting access to forests, protected areas and wild habitats but rather by focusing on farm ecosystems as the generators of biodiversity and basis of livelihood security. It is important to look at ways on how to enhance biodiversity in a wide range of farm ecosystems (agro-biodiversity) and exploit it in a sustainable manner to enhance people’s livelihood security. This is called the restoration ecology approach (see box) which is ideally suited for the SDC agro-biodiversity project currently being developed.

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BiodiversityConservation

Focus

RestorationEcologyFocus

(TABI Focus)

Biodiversity conservation approach followed by many projects has not been successful due to focus on conservation of forests and wild species in isolation of people’s welfare and livelihoods. The Restoration Ecology Approach proposed for this project focuses on enhancing biodiversity in farms and creating opportunities for a seamless integration of farms with natural habitats including forests.

It has been clearly shown that monoculture agriculture is generally destructive of natural resources, biodiversity and hence not sustainable in the Lao context. Farming systems which seamlessly incorporate various cultivated as well as a wide variety of native species within the farm landscape and surrounding wild areas are needed in Laos. While native species are already a part of the farm landscape, farmers can actively stimulate higher levels of important species within both the terrestrial and aquatic components of their farms. Options to create micro-aquatic and terrestrial environments on farms and riparian areas as a strategy to increase overall productivity through native species are many. They are based on identifying high biodiversity potential areas currently existing on the farm, ensuring that biodiversity is allowed to flourish, create more diverse and enhanced quality of environments for biodiversity and actively promoting greater biodiversity in natural/wild systems. This should be done within the range of existing high productivity agriculture systems and production technologies. This study examined a number of government, SDC-funded and other donor-supported programs and opportunities to explore their potential for agrobiodiversity enhancement and ecology restoration options, which were many. Annexes A-C provide details on how to enhance ABD in each part of the landscape and agricultural system including mountain tops, unfavorable uplands on steep slopes, favorable uplands on gentle slopes and depressions, and montane paddy lands in valley bottoms and edges. The restoration ecology approach suggested in this document will help to enrich farmland with micro-aquatic and terrestrial habitats for many species to co-exist with cultivated crops and animals making the transition from cultivated to natural ecosystems including forests gradual and seamless and increase overall farm productivity. This will achieve the twin objectives of enhancing biodiversity in farms and wild habitats and improving the livelihoods for the poor.

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Enhancing Agro-biodiversity in Lao Uplands: Identifying and Incorporating Niche Habitats in Landscapes and

Farms 1. Introduction Laos is the most mountainous country in South-east Asia: a third of the area lies on 8 to 30% slopes and more than half of the land lies on slopes steeper than 30% (FAO 2006). The typical landscape consists of valley bottoms with hydromorphic edges and contiguous sloping uplands and crests that contribute to runoff and seepage to the valley bottom (Figure 1). This mountainous landscape is the home for hundreds of thousands of species of plants and animals that constitute the terrestrial biodiversity as well as a large number of aquatic species that make up the aquatic biodiversity of the typical Lao farm. As one moves from mountain tops occupied by protected forests to valley bottoms, the terrestrial biodiversity decreases and the aquatic biodiversity increases. Cultivated lands and farms which are a contiguous part of the larger landscape are used for growing food, fodder, fiber, and other materials to meet farmers’ needs. However, increasing population pressure, fast economic development and expanded trade, unsustainable farming practices, and over-exploitation of natural resources have contributed to degradation of ecosystems and a fast decline in valuable biodiversity. This assignment reviewed upland agriculture systems with a view to suggesting ways to enhance biodiversity in farms so that agriculture systems merge seamlessly with natural ecosystems including forests1.

Picture 1. Lao Upland-lowland continuum with protected forests on mountain tops, slash-and-burn agriculture on slopes, and wetland rice in valley bottoms, Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR. Terrestrial biodiversity decreases and aquatic biodiversity increases as one moves from mountain-tops to valley bottoms of the landscape. (Photos: V. Balasubramanian).

1 The assessment is specifically focused on biodiversity in agricultural systems. The SDC Agrobiodiversity Initiative will work in both agriculture systems as well as adjacent wild areas.

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2. Agro-biodiversity in Relation to Livelihood Systems in Lao PDR Biodiversity provides the basis for agriculture, food production and sustainable development. The diverse crops and organisms that are domesticated and/or economically exploited by farm communities represents agricultural biodiversity. Thus, agro-biodiversity includes all components of biodiversity that are relevant to food, agriculture and agricultural livelihoods. It includes all components of biodiversity that support agricultural ecosystems – the variety and variability of plants, animals, and microorganisms, at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels, which are necessary to sustain key functions of the agro-ecosystem, its structure and processes. Agro-biodiversity provides food, fiber, fodder, fuel/energy, building materials, medicines, new varieties, etc. and performs other services such as maintenance of soil biota and fertility, soil and water conservation, and pollination, all of which are essential for human survival (Djoghlaf, 2008). To an even greater degree than most other countries, Lao people depend on natural resources (land, water, plants and animals) and ecosystem services (clean water and air, carbon and nitrogen fixation, nutrient cycling, erosion control, pollination, pest-predator balance, etc.) to sustain their livelihoods. They traditionally practice slash-and-burn or shifting cultivation to grow rice and other crops, and hunt wild animals, gather forestry products (commercial NTFPs) and collect fish, frogs, crabs, snails, shrimps, and other aquatic organisms and plants (aquatic biodiversity) to enrich their diet and or to enhance their income. There is considerable evidence that aquatic organisms are the primarily protein food source of many of upland communities, a trend which is increasing over time. Some wild species such as rattan, bitter bamboo, paper mulberry, broom grass, job’s tear, medicinal plants, essential oil plants, resin trees (liang tree-stick lac, pine resin), wild honey, wild tea, mushrooms, some orchids, fish species, frogs and shrimp have been domesticated for commercial exploitation. 2.1. Exploitation of agro-biodiversity by farmers in Lao uplands Farmers take advantage of the differences in natural vegetation and soil quality (soil depth & structure, organic matter level & nutrient status, and water retention capacity) to plant various crops along the mountain topography. Shallow soils are used for annual crops while deep soils are chosen for fruit and tree crops. Rice is the major food crop cultivated on both uplands and montane paddies near valley bottoms. Other food crops include corn, sweet potatoes, cassava, sesame, soybean, and peanuts. Farm animals are maintained around homestead and grazed on marginal community lands (free grazing). Garden lands near houses and river beds are used for vegetables and cash crops (homestead and riparian gardens), while tree crops such as teak, paper mulberry, and rubber are planted in suitable areas on mid- to lower-slopes. Fishing is widely practiced by farmers located near almost any size water resource. The change in landscapes, related agricultural systems and habitats, and opportunities for enhancing agro-biodiversity are summarized in Table 1 below:

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Table 1. Landscapes, related agricultural systems and habitats and potential for enhancing agro-biodiversity, Lao PDR (Feb 2008)

☺Terrestrial reefs; ☺NTFP cultivation: spice, medicinal plants, resins, fibres; ☺Banana on valley fringes; ☺Taro, rice, beans on bunds;☺Trees and multipurpose legumes on river banks;☺River/stream garden diversification;☺Homestead intensification and diversification;☺Riparian restoration and conservation; ☺Micro aquatic habitat enhancement in rice fields, streams, wetlands;☺Aquatic sanctuary establishment;☺Forage crops in fallow spaces;

Montane paddy in valleys: Rice in WS; irrigated rice, soybean, vegetables, etc. in DS.Terraced fields above valleys: Maize, banana, papaya, vegetables, stylos; some fallows; teak plantationsLivestock: Mostly pigs; well maintained; few cows & buffalos on uplands – free grazing.Home gardens: well kept and productive; mixed species & trees.Aquaculture: Many species in WS; few in DS.Rivers riparian areas: Fishing, crabs, hydro-power; some riparian areas poorly managed & degraded.River gardens: vegetables & herbs; many species; some poorly managed.

Valley bottoms & their edges: Lao Loum

☺NTFP cultivation [Upland rice/paper mulberry, upland rice/pigeonpea; paper mulberry/rattan, broom grass]☺Pine-apple intercropped; ☺Fruit tree intercropping; ☺Rotational grazing & forage crops ☺Micro aquatic environments; ☺Micro-barrages on small streams; ☺Terrestrial reefs☺Contour hedges and fences☺Mini hedges and vegetation islands☺Homestead intensification & diversification

Crops & trees under short fallows: Upland rice; commercial crops;Some paddy rice in small valleys; NTFP collection; rubber & teak plantationsLivestock: many cows, buffalos, goats; free grazing; herded, poorly managedHome gardens: Few species, poorly managed & low productivity and diversity.

Mid-slopes: Khmu

☺Wild tea – Community-managed forestry;☺Mulberry-rattan plantations;☺Micro aquatic environments enhancements for fish, amphibian, mollusk and crustacean species; ☺NTFP cultivation☺Micro-barrages on small streams;☺Terrestrial reefs,☺Riparian restoration

Crops & trees: 100% slash & burn; NTFP collection; rubber plantings Livestock: Few cows, buffalos, horses; well maintained; good racing horse breeders; poultryHome gardens: well kept and productiveAquatic Resources: Seasonal fish ponds with few species; poor management

Crests & Upper slopes: Lao Soung & Hmong

Potential ABD EnhancementsAgricultural Systems & Habitats

☺Terrestrial reefs; ☺NTFP cultivation: spice, medicinal plants, resins, fibres; ☺Banana on valley fringes; ☺Taro, rice, beans on bunds;☺Trees and multipurpose legumes on river banks;☺River/stream garden diversification;☺Homestead intensification and diversification;☺Riparian restoration and conservation; ☺Micro aquatic habitat enhancement in rice fields, streams, wetlands;☺Aquatic sanctuary establishment;☺Forage crops in fallow spaces;

Montane paddy in valleys: Rice in WS; irrigated rice, soybean, vegetables, etc. in DS.Terraced fields above valleys: Maize, banana, papaya, vegetables, stylos; some fallows; teak plantationsLivestock: Mostly pigs; well maintained; few cows & buffalos on uplands – free grazing.Home gardens: well kept and productive; mixed species & trees.Aquaculture: Many species in WS; few in DS.Rivers riparian areas: Fishing, crabs, hydro-power; some riparian areas poorly managed & degraded.River gardens: vegetables & herbs; many species; some poorly managed.

Valley bottoms & their edges: Lao Loum

☺NTFP cultivation [Upland rice/paper mulberry, upland rice/pigeonpea; paper mulberry/rattan, broom grass]☺Pine-apple intercropped; ☺Fruit tree intercropping; ☺Rotational grazing & forage crops ☺Micro aquatic environments; ☺Micro-barrages on small streams; ☺Terrestrial reefs☺Contour hedges and fences☺Mini hedges and vegetation islands☺Homestead intensification & diversification

Crops & trees under short fallows: Upland rice; commercial crops;Some paddy rice in small valleys; NTFP collection; rubber & teak plantationsLivestock: many cows, buffalos, goats; free grazing; herded, poorly managedHome gardens: Few species, poorly managed & low productivity and diversity.

Mid-slopes: Khmu

☺Wild tea – Community-managed forestry;☺Mulberry-rattan plantations;☺Micro aquatic environments enhancements for fish, amphibian, mollusk and crustacean species; ☺NTFP cultivation☺Micro-barrages on small streams;☺Terrestrial reefs,☺Riparian restoration

Crops & trees: 100% slash & burn; NTFP collection; rubber plantings Livestock: Few cows, buffalos, horses; well maintained; good racing horse breeders; poultryHome gardens: well kept and productiveAquatic Resources: Seasonal fish ponds with few species; poor management

Crests & Upper slopes: Lao Soung & Hmong

Potential ABD EnhancementsAgricultural Systems & Habitats

2.2. Impacts of biodiversity loss on people’s livelihoods Lao PDR was once rich in terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity that supported the livelihoods of people. The demand for food, fresh water, fiber, and fuel/energy has been increasing fast due to increasing population and modernization and development of Laos and neighboring countries. The recent rapid development and the growing inter-regional trade have put an unprecedented pressure on the country’s natural resources and biodiversity. Slash-and-burn farming practices and the over-exploitation of timber,

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wild species, and other forestry products have drastically reduced the forest cover and wild species and degraded the ecosystems from mountain tops to valley bottoms. The rural people, who constitute about 80% of the nation’s population, are the most vulnerable to declining biodiversity resources, degraded environments and changing climate (NGPES 2004). The incidence of poverty is high (52% in uplands compared to only 20% in lowlands) (ADB 2001) and chronic child malnutrition is widespread (WFP 2007) in northern uplands. Essentially, the rural people are caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty and poverty-induced degradation of the environment and the consequent destruction of both natural and agricultural biodiversity (Balasubramanian, 2008). 2.3. The conservation and restoration ecology approaches to biodiversity

What Is Ecological Restoration? Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Characteristics of restored ecosystems include species which are consistent with the local natural ecosystem mix, restoration of major ecological functions, integration into a larger ecological matrix, resilience and self-sustaining.

Society for Ecological Restoration

Preservation and exploitation of the natural and agro-biodiversity is crucial to maintain the integrity of the natural as well as the cultivated ecosystems on the landscape which are vital for human welfare and survival. Biodiversity conservation programs and projects are being implemented in Laos and other parts of the world by a number of international, government and non-profit organizations. The focus of most conservation projects and programs is the protection of forests and preservation of wild species in their natural habitats. Often they work with communities to enlist their help in protecting important species and environments. The conservation approach may be an appropriate approach in biodiversity conservation areas and game parks, but less appropriate for enhancing biodiversity in farming areas for which the community’s focus is the utilization of biodiversity for food and other products crucial for achieving livelihood security. Over-exploitation and or misuse of “these agrobiodiversity” resources directly threaten livelihood security of Lao farmers. Urgent attention is needed to enhance and or maintain biodiversity in farm landscapes while at the same time increasing overall crop productivity. It is important to look at ways on how to enhance biodiversity in farms and exploit it in a sustainable manner to enhance people’s livelihoods while preserving natural species and resources on the farm and in the wild for future generations. This can be best called the “restoration ecology” approach which is more appropriate for farmland environments than a biodiversity conservation approach. See Figure 2 below to appreciate the focus of and the subtle differences between the biodiversity conservation approach and the restoration ecology approach. If we follow the restoration ecology approach to successfully introduce and enhance biodiversity in farmlands, it will help integrate farmlands seamlessly with natural habitats and forests.

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BiodiversityConservation

Focus

RestorationEcologyFocus

(TABI Focus)

Biodiversity conservation approach followed by many projects has not been successful due to focus on conservation of forests and wild species as the primary goal as opposed to community livelihoods. The Restoration Ecology Approach proposed for this project focuses on enhancing biodiversity in farm landscapes thereby creating opportunities for a seamless integration of farm livelihoods with natural habitats including forests.

Figure 2. Biodiversity conservation vs. restoration ecology approaches to conserve and exploit agro-biodiversity in a sustainable manner.

3. Natural Plant, Animal and Aquatic Species that Support Livelihoods in Laos Rice, the staple food of Lao people, is the most widely cultivated species in the country. But in addition to rice there are other important naturally occurring crops and products that provide a wide range of food (human and livestock), medicine, fibers, materials, income and environmental services to meet multiple needs of families. Many plant, animal and aquatic species support people’s livelihoods in Laos. These products can be found in a range of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within the farm landscape and adjacent forest areas. It was noted earlier that the overall diversity of terrestrial species decreases [generally] and aquatic species increases as one moves from forested mountain tops to cultivated valley bottoms and rivers. A key question for livelihood security of farmers is, “how can a greater quality of, quantity of and more productive habitats be created in 1) terrestrial farm landscapes [both permanent and rotational systems], 2) aquatic environments [river/canal banks , riparian areas, paddy rice, wetlands, natural spring areas] and 3) natural/wild areas (forests) which will sustainably provide a greater quantity and diversity of food, medicines, income, fibers and other products for livelihood security needs for upland farmers today and into the future”? In northern Laos, aquatic farm ecosystems include the montane paddies and the nearby terraced fields in valleys and depressions; springs/streams, rivers and canals; riparian areas, etc. Aquatic organisms found in these ecosystems are important for livelihood security. By means of better management and thoughtful planning, aquatic ecosystems can provide even more resources to farming communities. Although aquatic systems are interconnected, for discussion purposes they have been divided into i) montane paddy; ii) riparian ecosystems; iii) streams, iv) micro-aquatic environments, and “extra-micro aquatic environments. A number of upland technologies and production systems have been developed in Laos for improving

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productivity of land and animal systems as well as reducing labor. These technologies, when adopted widely by farmers, will have specific impacts on agro-biodiversity. It is necessary to prioritize the technologies and production systems that can be chosen for enhancing agro-biodiversity and identify how biodiversity can be enhanced in productive systems. Technologies have been developed based on the need to enhance food security, generate more income for local farmers, and improve health and family nutrition. Improving resource conservation, protecting environment, and enhancing biodiversity can be built into various farming systems and economic activities through such practices as improved fallows, actively cultivated multi-species vegetation strips across slopes, multi-species patches on slopes, live fence, legume shrubs and trees on property borders, integrated crop-animal systems, controlled grazing, cultivation of NTFPs in gardens and large plots, and community-managed forestry. A summary of the major agriculture ecosystems and/or successfully promoted agriculture technology options for the northern highlands of the Lao PDR follows, specifying appropriate agrobiodiversity restoration options is in Annex A. Annex C provides an inventory of practical methods for agrobiodiversity restoration in farm landscapes (including adjacent forest areas) in the Lao PDR based on field observations, basic ecology concepts, globally promoted strategies and recommendations from early assessments done for SDC for TABI. 4. Aquatic Agroecosystem Restoration Ecology

4.1. Montane paddy ecosystems In montane paddies, wetland rice is grown in wet season and it is rotated with rice or soybean, rice-bean, vegetables, etc. in dry season. Not all farmers have access to montane paddy lands (Linquist et al 2007), but where it is possible rice field productivity can be greatly enhanced. One component is increasing overall rice production by means of better varieties, fertilizers and pest control (Balasubramanian 2008). Increasing the biodiversity of montane paddies by crop rotation, crop diversification, exploitation of margins and diversifying aquatic environments provide farmers opportunities for overall productivity increases.

Montane Paddy Restoration Options

Encourage natural fish, shrimps, crabs, snails, and frogs in rice fields; ensure connectivity to streams and ponds to increase populations (see micro aquatic habitats);

Provide micro-pools of water in fields and irrigation channels to serve as a refuge means of travel for aquatic organisms;

In irrigated fields, stock fish directly into fields;

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Elevated areas in fields for upland crops (maize, banana, papaya), fruit trees such as tamarind, mango, jack fruit, etc.; also raised islands in fields with natural vegetation and diverse ecosystems provide habitat for wide range of wild products including food (vegetables, ants, rodents, reptiles, birds);

Cultivation of soybean, rice-bean, cowpea, pigeonpea and taro on field bunds, banks of field channels or as a rotation crop with rice; allow wild plant species useful as food and to attract pollinators;

Encourage bamboo bushes and rattan on valley edges on lower edges of fields and/or on borders adjacent to fallow plots and wild areas;

Planting of sesbania or other legumes in fields, allow wild plant species for use as vegetables and fodder;

Snakes, rats, crabs and frogs burrow in field bunds3; and Create piles of straw or stones on borders as habitat for frogs, beneficial insects and

rats4.

Picture 2: Mini pools of water in rice field areas; irrigation canals with high plant

diversity to encourage aquatic animal populations

4.2. Riparian ecosystems Rivers, small streams and canal banks form the basis of important riparian ecosystems which are home for a variety of plant and animal species (> 300 species) that are major sources of food and nutrition, traditional medicines, and spices for local people. These ecosystems also harbor a number of predator and pollinator insects and bees. Farmers harvest a large quantity and diversity of fish, frogs, crabs, snails and aquatic insects from rivers and streams. Some farmers maintain fishponds next to riparian zones. Owing to over-exploitation and poor techniques (using poisons or explosives to catch fish) as well as deterioration aquatic habitats, fish and other aquatic species are being depleted fast.

3 Rats and crabs can be a pest if populations are high and damage is done to crop and/or bunds. 4 Rats, although a pest, may be more easily controlled if specific habitats are provided and exploited by farmers. These may be better placed away from the fields.

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Riparian Ecosystem Restoration Options

Develop gardens next to streams, particularly during the dry season, provide fertile soil where vegetable crops can be sown and irrigated. Wild species and domesticated species can be grown together;

Promote live fences with multipurpose shrubs and trees (jatropha, leucaena, teak and eucalyptus trees) around riparian gardens and train creepers on fences;

Plant teak, bamboo bushes, and sugar palms in rows along the river and canal banks for food, materials and erosion control;

Plant crops such as maize and vegetables in dry season and inter-plant with fruit trees between annual crops;

Create micro-terrestrial habitats by placing piles of stones, bundles of split bamboos and stacks of used tires in strategic locations to enhance terrestrial organisms, amphibians (frogs), and aquatic (snails, crabs, etc.), small mammals, other species;

Increase aquatic plants on both sides of rivers/canals to serve as food for fish & other aquatic species;

Enhance riparian ecosystems with natural multi-purpose vegetation; manage trees to prevent excessive shading of crops; and

Encourage a diversity of wild plant species useful as food, pollinators, materials and as habitat for wild animals;

Picture 3: Farmers collecting riparian food plants; riparian gardens and the edge of the

stream; planting trees in riparian areas which flow through farm fields.

4.3. Stream ecosystems Streams, springs and seasonal waterways are important sources of aquatic plants and animals for farmers. They can be enhanced to provide higher levels of important biodiversity products.

Stream Ecosystem Restoration Options

Constructing micro-barrages across small waterways provides diversified habitats for aquatic organisms in streams and the potential for irrigation of fields, development of diversified micro-paddies for rice, etc.;

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Check dams (rock, wood, or live fences) in small natural gullies stop erosion and build up nutrients and moisture which can be exploited by native vegetation and/or be planted by a diversity of crops, as well as encourage amphibian, mollusk and crustacean populations;

Placement of rocks and logs in streams create habitat for aquatic organisms, including important plant species such as algae; and

Constructing small water pools next to and connected with streams to provide improved habitat for animal and plant organisms.

4.4. Micro-aquatic environments

Micro aquatic environments (defined as an environment one square meter or more in surface area and half a meter or more in depth which effectively holds water) constructed and strategically located on the farm have the potential to substantially increase the quantity of aquatic organisms available to farm families as food and income. Micro aquatic environments may be particularly important for ensuring high survival rates of aquatic organisms during the early part of the rainy season and during periods of drought and erratic rainfall. And placed where there is limited water these environments may have a greater impact. Local planning and management are important.

Micro Aquatic Environments (MAE) Restoration Options

Constructing micro aquatic environments (MAE) from concrete/rock masonry, wood or local products in montane rice fields allow for better reproduction levels of amphibians and fish species, etc. as well as refuge during period of drought and protection against natural predators;

Using MAE to connect streams and water bodies to montane rice fields or natural wetland areas helps increase overall aquatic resource populations;

Construction of MAE along small streams to extend and add diversity to aquatic environments;

Constructing a system of MAE in natural wet and spring areas in mountains with no perennial streams to create environments for amphibians, crustaceans and mollusks;

In addition to aquatic animals, MAE may provide livestock with water; In riparian environments planted with crops, MAEs can provide supplementary

irrigation; and Overall, increased aquatic resources in farm fields reduces pressure on wildlife.

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Picture 4: Farmer-build micro-pool in field; small barrage in stream for irrigation

and electricity generation

4.5. Extra-micro environments Innovative methods of creating even smaller micro environments in farms on sloping uplands, depressions, montane paddies, riparian areas, river and home gardens can be explored. Many amphibian, crustacean and mollusk species need only damp areas to survive. Such areas can be created easily in appropriate places on the farm, where increases in populations of such organisms are an objective. Given the importance of aquatic organisms to the diets of upland farmers, habitat enhancement for these organisms is critical. Importantly, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans can survive without standing water making them particularly important for upland communities with minimal water resources and where opportunities for fish do not exist.

Extra-Micro Aquatic Environment Restoration For red ant populations (for ant eggs) enhancement, water (and supplementary

food) can be provided by attaching plastic bottles to trees; In areas where terrestrial and tree amphibian populations exist, plastic water bottles

or ends of bamboo which can contain water can be attached to trees to provide habitat for egg laying; bamboo lengths which have been opened to allow water may also be placed vertically up against trees in the forest for collection of water5;

Old tires can be stacked in rice fields or riparian areas as environments which hold water which can be used as environments for aquatic organisms, particularly amphibians and snails;

Individual bamboo lengths with an open end can be inserted into rice field bunds for amphibian and crab habitats;

Similar bamboo lengths can be placed in riparian/damp areas for amphibian, crab and snail habitats where only dampness is necessary, not water; and

5 There is some legitimate concern regarding such micro stagnant water habitats being a breeding ground for mosquitoes which carry malaria or dengue fever. Such devices would need to be promoted with due caution.

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Increases in surface area for algae growth as a food for snails can be created by placing sticks and rocks in aquatic environments to increase overall snail populations.

5. Terrestrial Agroecosystems The mountainous terrain of northern uplands is used for growing various crops. Farmers traditionally practice slash-and-burn cultivation practices to grow upland rice as a staple food. But with the reduced fallow periods, the slash-and-burn methods of the past no longer provide a sustainable system. Farmers struggle to produce enough upland rice to feed their families because the short fallow periods of 2-4 years are not enough to reduce weed infestation and pest attack, restore soil fertility, and minimize soil erosion – all of which drastically reduce crop yields (Roder et al 1995). Some farmers (e.g. Ban Fai, Luang Prabang) are giving up upland rice cultivation due to declining yields. Wherever it is not possible to grow enough rice, supplementary crops such as maize, cassava, sweet potato, and taro are cultivated for food. In addition, peanuts, sesame, soybean, pigeon pea and other crops are cultivated to provide additional protein and vegetable fats in the diet. It is important to increase crop productivity in uplands to assure local food security and enhance agro-biodiversity to improve livelihoods. The potential interventions for improved food production combined with enhanced agro-biodiversity are discussed below.

5.1. Domestication and cultivation of NTFPs Farmers go to the forests and collect certain plants for food, essential oil, traditional medicines, and other products (See Annexes D & F for details). Natural supplies of these herbs and plants are fast declining and some species are disappearing due to over-exploitation and/or misuse of their habitats (e.g. slash-and-burn agriculture). Collection and harvesting of leaves and fruits is okay, but cutting branches, stripping barks, and collection of roots may kill the plants and trees, leading to serious reductions in their populations. Promoting the cultivation of these species in home gardens for personal use and in plantations and appropriate environments on the farm for commercial exploitation is an alternative to managing populations in the wild. The most valuable species so far domesticated are job’s tear, broom grass, paper mulberry, wild bamboo, rattan, lemon grass, wild orchids, wild honey, wild tea, native passion fruits, pigeonpea-stick lac, liang tree-stick lac, benzoin trees, spices, and some medicinal plants. Some of the commercially attractive NTFPs, their scientific names and uses are provided in Annex F.

Restoration and Domestication Options for NTFPs

Collection and harvesting of leaves and fruits only; Inter-planting with upland rice and other crops during the first year;

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Intercropping inside of fruit and other tree crops; Promoting the cultivation of these species in home gardens; Cultivation in alley crop systems;

riparian ecosystems; Cultivation on field borders and in Cultivation and enhancement of populations in rotational system fallow field areas; Preserve and cultivate medicinal plants in home gardens for their personal use or in

plantations or suitable areas on farms for commercial exploitation Cultivation in areas behind check dams; Coppicing of NTFP species in various crops systems; and Bee boxes can be prepared and placed in strategic locations.

5.2. Short fallow/coppicing/legume agroecosystems

Typica fte es and burning dried

short fallows involves inter-planting of pigeonpea,

lly, a r clearing the field by cutting or pollarding major treresidues, upland rice or job’s tear is planted and harvested during Year-1. At the beginning of Year-2 planting season, coppices are selectively pruned (2nd selective pollarding) and maize or pearl millet is planted. Secondary crops intercropped during both years include beans, pumpkin, garlic, chilly etc. After harvesting the Year-2 crops, the fields are left fallow for two more years. Farmers collect some firewood, medicinal plants, wild vegetables and small wildlife from fallow fields. Actively managing fallow fields will lead to enhanced soil conservation, biological nitrogen fixation, weed suppression, and build-up of soil organic matter. At the beginning of Year-5 planting season, the cycle is repeated.

nother form of managing Astylosanthes, or paper mulberry along with Year-1 crops (usually rice). In the subsequent years of the fallow period, native fallow species are allowed to grow but weeding around the perennial crops planted in Year-1, which are used as animal fodder, food or for producing marketable products.

Restoration Options in Short Fallows

Arrangement of pol tight clumps as a way larded trees in rows across slopes or in decrease soil erosion and increase soil moisture;

Train vines from edible wild vegetable species (or plant domesticated species) such as passion fruit, betel vine, pumpkins, spinach and beans on pollarded trees for additional products;

Strategic placement of piles of rocks, rock walls, piles of sticks (vertical and horizontal) to enhance habitats for plant and animal organisms;

Bamboo and sticks attached to tree trunks to serve as hiding places for terrestrial organisms and support for vine plants;

Construct micro aquatic environments near springs/streams and natural waterways to enhance aquatic organisms populations (especially amphibians and snails) in uplands;

Creepers such as passion fruit, spinach, betel vine, and local vegetable plant species can be trained on fences to produce additional products; and

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Bee boxes can be prepared and placed in strategic locations. 5.3. Permanent cultivation in favorable uplands systems

Upland c lands with rice an be grown in rotation with other crops in favorable up gentle lopes on sloping land s (less than 15%) found in scattered depressions near streams

and just above the montane paddies in valleys, some with well-formed terraces and fairly rich soils. These are high-potential areas that can be used for permanent intensive cultivation of rice and other crops. Improved rice varieties and production technologies are being developed to grow rice under shortened fallow in favourable uplands (Balasubramanian 2008). Uplands located near roads (and streams) are planted to commercial crops that have igh market demand: pineh apple, banana, papaya, vegetables, fruits, trees (teak), etc.

Replacing rice with teaks in these high-potential uplands may aggravate the problem of food scarcity and malnutrition in the near future (Balasubramanian 2008).

Enhancing Agro-biodiversity in Marginal Uplands

Sedentary cul marginal lands tivation of upland crops in high-potential areas to sparefor planting trees and other species;

Strategic piles of rocks, horizontal sticks, vertical sticks or split bamboo, etc. to enhance terrestrial habitats for organisms;

Bamboo and sticks attached to tree trunks to serve as hiding places for terrestrial organisms;

Micro-pools near springs/streams and natural waterways to enhance micro-aquatic habitats in uplands; and

Wet micro-habitats for amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans that can survive without standing water making them particularly important for upland communities with minimal water resources and where opportunities for fish do not exist;

Creepers such as passion fruit, spinach, betel vine, and local vegetable plant species can be trained on fences to produce additional products; and

Bee boxes can be prepared and placed in strategic locations.

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Picture 5: Live fence made from jatropha on a steep hillside; bamboo fence as a support for a local vegetable crop

Enhancing Agro-biodiversity in Home Gardens

In dry season, they grow greens, onion, and vegetables on roof-top garden and in plastic tubs, and use the household waste-water to water them;

Some home gardens also have fruit crops such as pineapple and banana and spices such as ginger, galangal, cardamom, and chandai or dragon blood tree (Dracaena loureiri; D. draco);

Some gardens will have fruit trees – tamarind, jack fruit, milk fruit, citrus, local prunes, litchi, pomello, etc.;

Farmers train creepers such as red spinach on fence and passion fruit vines on trees;

Many farmers also preserve and grow some of the medicinal plants in home gardens for their personal use;

In addition, micro-aquatic and terrestrial habitats can be created to encourage diversity of organisms;

Creepers such as passion fruit, spinach, betel vine, and local vegetable plant species can be trained on fences to produce additional products; and

Bee boxes can be prepared and placed in strategic locations.

Home Garden Roof Garden Plants in Tubs Riparian Garden

Picture 6: Homestead biodiversity enhancement options

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5.4. Tree plantations and multipurpose trees in farms About 70% of the households own plantation gardens where they plant teak (Tectona grandis), rubber (Ficus elastica), and paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera, syn. Morus papyrifera) or a mixture of tree crops on lower slopes. As plantation crops have a longer gestation period and require higher capital investment, well-off farmers are better placed to invest in tree plantations. New tree species are introduced to farmers through agroforestry programs (MAF 2006).

Enhancing Agro-biodiversity in Tree Plantations

Intercropping rice and other crops with trees for 2-3 years in newly planted young teak and rubber plantations; later shade-loving crops can be inter-planted;

Pruning of teak trees will increase the undergrowth of some species; Planting trees in rows along field borders or scattered in fields and home gardens; Paper mulberry can be inter-planted with rattan; In addition, developing micro-pools in wet areas and constructing small barrages on

springs can enhance aquatic species; and Creepers such as passion fruit, spinach, betel vine, and local vegetable plant

species can be trained on fences and margins to produce additional products. 5.5 Livestock production systems Farm animals are a valuable component of the farming systems of the poor. However, in the traditional system of community (free) grazing, sources, quantity, and quality of forages are declining and therefore, farm animals are not gaining weight (wasting). Other sources of fodder such as crop residues and undergrowth in plantations and forests are also of poor quality. It takes longer time for grazing. Over-grazing of grasslands increases soil erosion and induces shits in grass and weed species. As such, the productivity and profitability of traditional livestock systems are very low.

The northern uplands are highly suitable for intensive livestock production with improved breeds, better grazing and multiple fodder/feed production systems in selected areas. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) intends to increase the commercial production of foodstuffs and livestock by 4-5 percent per year and is using the Department of Livestock and Fisheries to promote the commercial production of animals by farmers. Livestock projects are designed to help lift farmers out of poverty and establish families designated as 'models of livestock development'. The increased income from livestock has freed many farmers from the destructive slash-and-burn cultivation practices, in line with the government policy.

Improved livestock production systems are briefly discussed below.

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5.5.1. Improved livestock production with controlled, rotational grazing and improved grasslands

PRONAE and SCV projects have introduced the controlled, rotational grazing with improved grass species & animal breeds. The field is divided into five parts and fenced. Animals are allowed to graze for 5 to 7 days in one plot and moved to another plot in rotation; thus each plot is grazed for a week and grasses are allowed to re-grow for 3 weeks. The stocking density is 6 cows per ha. Improved grasses are sown after killing the weeds and native vegetation with herbicides. After 3-4 years, the grassland is rotated with crops such as soybean, rice, etc. The grassland is improved due to prevention of over-grazing & soil erosion, and maintenance of pasture land quality; soil fertility is improved due to animal dung & urine returned to the pasture land. In due course, application of phosphorus from external sources will be needed to maintain soil fertility, grass quality, and animal productivity.

5.5.2. Intensive livestock production with cut and feed fodder production systems

CIAT has introduced the sedentary fodder production systems in Laos. In this system, introduced forages, sweet potato & stylosanthes are grown intensively in small plots near homestead and the fodder is cut and fed to farm animals. The cut and feed fodder production system is more intensive, more productive, and more profitable. The concentrated efforts in small areas reduce pressure on other lands, prevent over-grazing, reduce soil erosion, and maintain soil fertility and free labor for other activities. Fodder shrubs and trees (glyricidia and leucaena below altitude 1000 m ASL and calliandra above 1000 m ASL) can be introduced to enhance species diversity and fodder quality. Details are given in Annexes A and B.

5.5.3. Intensive pig production systems

Intensive production of pigs in pens reduces pig mortality due to animal diseases, improves hygiene in the homestead area and prevents the spread of diseases from animals to humans, and improves feed sources. Feed sources include sweet potato tubers and leaves, dried and ensiled cassava roots and leaves, stylo (stylosanthes guianensis, var. CIAT 184), cabbage & mulberry leaves, rice bran, etc. This system also enables the systematic collection and processing of pig manure for use in fodder and crop fields. Several projects are involved in the intensive pig production programs. The ACIAR-funded Legumes for Pigs Project (L4PP) works with a number of NGOs to expand the improved pig production systems. The IFAD-funded PRDU project, implemented jointly with CIP, has included work on feeding pigs with cassava and sweet potato in Oudomxay. The Nippon-funded Cassava project has looked at cassava production systems, as well as evaluation of fresh, dried and ensiled cassava roots and leaves as pig feed. The just completed ADB-funded Capacity Building for Smallholder Livestock Systems project includes work on village pig production in five provinces of northern Laos. The SDC-funded SADU project, which aims to improve the linkages of farmers to markets, has initiated some work on village pig fattening as an enterprise.

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5.5.4. Integrated vegetation strips and crop-pig alley systems on slopes Integrated vegetation strips and crop-pig alley systems on slopes have been developed and promoted by the Uplands Research and Capacity Development (URDP) project in northern uplands. It has two components (a) stylosanthes (stylo), ginger, galangal, pineapple & fruit trees are planted in strips across slopes; and (b) crops are cultivated & pigs are kept in alternate alleys between strips. The pigs dig the soil and incorporate crop residues, wastes and organic matter into the soil. Pigs are moved to crop alleys and the enriched pig alleys are used for growing crops in alternate years. Upland crops mature in one season; ginger & galangal mature in one year; pineapple is ready for harvest in 2 years & continues for 4-5 years; fruit trees will start yielding in 4-5 years and will continue for 15-20 years; stylo is cut periodically and mixed with other leaves and crop residues for feeding pigs which mature in 6 months. The actively cultivated strips and crop-animal alleys provide continuous harvests of different products throughout the year. Farmers can get a steady & higher income from alley crops (rice, job’s tear, beans, soybean, etc.); hedge plants–ginger, galangal, pineapple & fruit trees; and pigs sold every 6 months.

Enhancing Agrobiodiversity in Controlled, Rotational Systems, Alley Cropping and Sedentary Systems

Live fences of diverse species can be utilized to divide fields for rotational grazing; Fodder legume trees (fodder & wood) and jatropha (biofuel), and eucalyptus and

teak trees can be planted at regular intervals to reinforce fences; Individual teak and fodder trees (e.g. leucaena) can be planted in the grasslands; Micro-pools can be constructed for aquatic biodiversity plus the added value for

livestock for watering; Encouraging flowering of different species of plants in margins and other areas in

different times of the year will enhance the presence of predator insects and bees; Opportunities for cultivating NTFPs in all arrangements should be incorporated.

planting stylosanthes mixed with grasses to enhance diversity and fodder quality; Training vine plants on pig-house roofs; Planting scattered trees between pig houses to provide shade for the animals and

habitats for terrestrial organisms ; Bee boxes can be prepared and placed in strategic locations; and Applying green leaf manures from outside and animal manure will help improve soil

organic matter and microbial diversity which help build up and maintain soil fertility. 6. Conclusions It is crucial to develop and apply innovative methods to preserve and exploit the biodiversity for the welfare of the present generation as well as future generations to come. Biodiversity within farm landscapes, regardless of the agriculture cropping system, is both high and important for livelihood security. And this agro-biodiversity can be substantially enhanced if the right measures are applied to the cropping system and the natural and wild areas found within these systems. Generally, these are not large

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expanses of land to be converted from crops to natural ecosystems, be rather, capitalizing on important micro environments found within the farm landscape which adds to the overall productivity of the land without reductions in crop production. These measures are location-specific and must be developed in close collaboration with local actors to meet their needs and aspirations. Annex C summarizes the prioritized production systems and related technologies along with opportunities for enhancing agro-biodiversity in all of them. Once properly done, the farms will be enriched with micro-aquatic and terrestrial habitats for many species to co-exist with cultivated crops and animals and the transition from cultivated to natural ecosystems, including forests, will be gradual and seamless.

Acknowledgments I (Vethaiya Balasubramanian) thank the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)-Lao PDR for giving me this opportunity to work on the assessment of upland technologies, their impact on livelihoods and biodiversity, and options for enhancing agro-biodiversity in farms and riparian ecosystems. I profusely thank Kevin Kamp of SDC for the lively discussions I had with him on what we call agro-biodiversity (ABD) and how to enhance it in farms and riparian ecosystems. I also thank the team members Bounkong Souvimonh (NAFRI), Chanhsamone Phoungoudome (Ph.D. Scholar at Korea University) and Bounthanh Keoboulapha (PAFO, Luang Prabang) for their assistance in field trips and discussion with PAFO and DAFO staff and farmers in Xieng Khouang and Luang Prabang provinces. I acknowledge the great support of Gary Jahn and his IRRI-GMS Office staff during my work and stay at Vientiane. This report has drawn freely from various discussions held with Keith Fahrney, Werner Stur (CIAT), Ben Samson (IRRI), Sisongkham Mahathirath (URDP), Kongmany Sydara (Traditional medicines & medicinal plants), Somboun Sonelitideth (Livestock and improved grasslands), and Xai Xa Na nad Khamdok Sonyikhangsuthor (NAFReC). I am grateful to all of them for finding time to discuss with me the topics of their research and development focus in Lao PDR and sharing their views and opinions on enhancing ABD in farms. I appreciate the assistance of PAFO and DAFO staff and farmers in several villages of Xieng Khouang and Luang Prabang Provinces for sharing with me their local knowledge, opinions, experiences, and practices.

Annex A

Prioritized list of production systems with available technologies, options for enhancing agro-biodiversity, and on-going projects for collaboration in Lao PDR (Feb 2008)

Priority Production Systems

Available Technologies Opportunities to enhance ABD Project(s) for collaboration

Upland rice in rotation with other crops under shortened fallows

*Improved sticky & non-sticky rice varieties; *Improved pigeonpea, soybean, stylosanthes fallows; *Technology for imperata control; *Manures from crop-animal system

Medium to high: Multi-species hedges/strips & micro-bushes, scattered teak & eucalyptus trees in fields & on field bunds; live fences on property borders; micro-barrages & micro-pools; piles of straw; piles of rocks; split-bamboo bundles

Lao-SDC, CURE, & IRRI-IFAD

1. Food security; better resource use

Montane paddy rice intensification in rotation with dry season rice and cash crops

*Improved wetland rice varieties; *Good water control with bunding, puddling & leveling, in-field channels; *Green manure, animal manure (crop-animal system); *Fertilizers: N, P, K, S, Zn *Dry season grain legumes

High: Elevated areas for upland crops; scattered sesbania; weeds; tamarind, mango, jack fruit; bamboo bushes; piles of straw; piles of stones, & micro-pools as refuge

Lao-SDC; CPWF

2. Income generation; improved nutrition; resource conservation

Diversification out of upland rice

*Cash crops: job’s tear, maize, sesame, peanuts, soybean, cassava, sweet potato; *Fruit crops: pineapple, banana, papaya (papain resin); *Tree crops: teak, paper mulberry, rubber *Improved varieties *Improved & grafted seedlings *Hedge species titonia, leucaena; callaindra, jatropha *Chromolina, mucuna, & mimosa for natural vegetation strips + BNF

High: Intercropping in pineapple; mulberry + rattan; multi-species hedges/strips & micro-bushes; scattered teak & eucalyptus trees in fields & on field bunds; live fences on property borders & creepers on fences; micro-barrages & micro-pools; piles of rocks & bundles of split bamboos

Lao-SDC; CIAT

Home & river gardens

*Seeds & varieties of vegetables; *Bamboo, fruit trees; *Pens for chicken, pigs *Spices: cardamom, Kheua hem

High: A variety of plants & trees; live fences; roof-top garden; vegetable crops in tubs; creeper red spinach on fence; passion fruit

--

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*Medicinal plants: chandai, aloe Vera on trees; cardamom; medicinal plants; pollinators & predators

3. Income generation + enhanced quality of resources & environment

Integrated crop-animal alley systems on slopes

*Stylo, ginger, galangal, pineapple & fruit trees on hedges *Crops & pigs in alternate alleys; *Moving pig & crop alleys in alternate years *Alley crops: rice, job’s tear, beans, soybean; *Hedge species: ginger, galangal, pigeonpea, pineapple & fruit trees; *Pigs sold every 6 months

High: Species diversity; incorporation of organic matter & pig manure into soil by pigs; BNF by stylo; soil protected with hedges; enhanced microbial diversity

URDP

4. Sustainable NTFP collection: Community-managed forestry

Managed wild tea in forests

*Wild tea management in forests (8 ha) (Ban Dog Mai in Xieng Khouang) *Bitter bamboo & rattan *Paper mulberry *Broom grass *Bong bark, peuak meuak, pine resin, mak tao

Medium to high: Forest conserved; sustainable exploitation of NTFPs; species diversity maintained or increased; pollinators & predators increased

--

5. Alternatives to unsustain-able harvesting of NTFPs from forests

Domestication of NTFPs

*Pigeon-pea-stick lac & ‘liang’ tree-stick lac *Rice + mulberry mulberry fallow; *Mulberry + rattan mixed *Mulberry in boundaries & home gardens *Job’s tear after rice *Planted native passion fruit (4ha) (Ban Dog Mai, XK) *Cardamom, kheua hem *Planted broom grass in fallow or planted *Planted bitter bamboo & rattan in riparian areas *Planted sugar-palms on river banks *Orchids in home gardens

Medium to high: Pressure on forests reduced; labor freed for other activities; species diversity maintained or increased; pollinators & predators increased

--

6. Income generation, improved nutrition, & resource conservation: Improved livestock-fodder systems

Controlled, rotational grazing

*Improved animal breeds *Improved grass species *Cattle bank *Artificial insemination *Veterinary help for disease control *Divided grassland for rotational grazing

High: Prevention of over-grazing & soil erosion; maintenance of pasture land quality; improved soil fertility due to animal dung & urine and BNF; higher species diversity; labor freed for other activities; can be further improved with live fences, creepers on fences, legume shrubs in grassland &

PRONAE; SCV; SADO (Xieng Khouang)

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around fodder plots, micro-pools Sedentary fodder plots + animal systems:

* Introduced forages, sweet potato, & stylo for Cut & carry fodder production in small plots near homestead; * Pigs, cattle & herbivorous fish; * Young animals + breeding stock kept in pens *Silage, dried cassava, & urea-treated rice straw for DS fodder; *Collection & use of animal manure

Medium to high: Prevention of over-grazing & soil erosion; less pressure on land; high grass biomass (20 t ha-1); improved organic matter & soil fertility due to manure use; species diversity; can be further improved with live fences, creepers on fences, legume shrubs in property borders, micro-pools, etc.

CIAT

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Annex B

Current and introduced production systems and technologies and their impact on poverty, environmental quality and agro-biodiversity (ABD), Lao PDR (Feb 2008)

Impact on: Technologies/ Production

Systems Who

benefits Poverty & livelihood Environmental quality Agro-biodiversity Monoculture contract farming: maize, cassava (e.g. Xayaboury)

Rich Negative; replace livestock with maize & rubber

Soil erosion; low yield after 2 years; move to new land

Negative; no community grazing land; species & pollinators reduced

Monoculture pineapple – large areas

Rich Minimal Soil erosion; intercropping & mulching can reduce erosion

Can be enhanced with conscious efforts: inter-cropping, live fence, scattered legume shrubs

Monoculture rubber, teak, tea plantations

Rich Minimal

Monoculture jatropha plantations (proposed)

Rich, but low profit, <$100/ha/y

Negative; diversion of farmland for bio-fuel; higher food insecurity

New land opened for plantations; encroachment on forests & farmland

Negative; farmland diversity reduced; wild habitats destroyed; zero undergrowth in plantations

Mixed teak or rubber + rice or job’s tear (e.g. Luang Namtha)

Rich & poor Very little Less destructive only initially Minimal or negative

Agro-forestry & mixed plantings on slopes: mulberry + rattan; fruit trees (long-an, litchi, citrus)

Rich & poor

Imp. fallows: pigeonpea; mulberry; broom grass;

Poor

Entomo-forestry: pigeon-pea-stick lac & Liang tree-stick lac

Rich & poor; profit: $1,000/ha/y

Positive; income for the poor: women & old people

Live fences & hedge-rows of pineapple, ginger, galangal, stylosanthes

Poor Positive

Maintained or improved: higher biomass/ha/y; biological N fixation (BNF) with legumes; nutrient recycling from deep soil layers; reduced erosion & soil protection with vegetation buffers; more species on accumulated soil above vegetation strips

Enhanced; ABD positively exploited; species diversity increased; new plants on protected soil; pollinators with multiple flowering plants

Managed community forestry with wild tea, bitter bamboo, paper mulberry, broom grass

Poor Positive: steady & higher income

Forest conserved; sustainable exploitation of NTFPs

Enhanced; species diversity maintained or increased; pollinators & pre-dators increased

Integrated crop-animal alley systems on slopes: (a) stylo, ginger, galangal, pineapple & fruit

Poor Positive: steady & higher income from alley crops (rice, job’s tear, beans,

Improved due to incorporation of organic matter & pig manure into soil by pigs; fixing of N by stylo;

Enhanced due to species diversity & improved soil fertility

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trees on hedges & (b) Crops & pigs in alternate alleys; pigs moved to crop alleys in alternate years (URDP)

soybean); hedge ginger, galangal, pineapple & fruit trees; and pigs sold every 6 months

soil protected with hedges

Controlled, rotational grazing with improved pasture & breeds (PRONAE & SCV)

Rich & poor Positive: Faster livestock growth & fattening; steady income from livestock

Improved due to prevention of over-grazing & maintenance of pasture land quality; improved soil fertility due to animal dung & urine and BNF

Enhanced due to better soil quality and higher species diversity; can be further improved with live fences, creepers on fences, legume shrubs in grassland

Sedentary fodder plots + animal systems: Cut & carry fodder – introduced forages SP & stylo grown intensively in small plots near home-stead; pigs, cattle & herbivorous fish; young animals + breeding stock are kept in pens (CIAT)

Rich & poor Positive: Faster livestock growth & fattening (200-300 g/day); reduced animal & human diseases; reduced animal mortality; steady income from livestock; frees labor for other activities

Improved due to controlled animal systems; prevention of over-grazing; high grass biomass (20 t ha-1); reduced erosion; improved organic matter & soil fertility due to manure use

Enhanced due to reduced free grazing & pressure on land; species diversity; can be further improved with live fences, creepers on fences, legume shrubs in property borders, micro-pools, etc.

Montane paddy rice & other crops (soybean, water melon, tomato, cabbage, vegetables); fishing from rivers; traditional fishpond; separate frog pond; ducks & chicken

Rice & poor (not all farmers have access to montane paddy land)

Positive: higher rice yields lead to food security; better nutrition; higher income DS vegetables & fish, ducks, chicken;

Improved & maintained Enhanced due to year-round species diversity & improved soil fertility; can be further improved with plants on bunds, terrestrial reefs, bamboo bushes & trees

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Annex C Ecosystem Restoration and Utilization Options

(drawings by Phonmany Keomany)

Secific Agrobiodiversity Enhancement

Ecology Restoration Activity

Description of Activity Riparian Planting Focus: Food Plants & Wildlife Enhancement

Deliberate planting of trees, bushes and other vegetation in riparian zones for use as food, livestock feed, wildlife habitat and construction materials should be done in riparian zones which have been burned, cut or otherwise damaged. Medicinal crop planting is also recommended. Flowering species in riparian areas may be important for pollination of crops. Riparian vegetation should also be encouraged on all ditches and waterways throughout rice and other crop fields, even if kept managed at a low height.

Fences in Denuded Riparian Areas Focus: Food Plants & Wildlife Enhancement

In riparian areas which have had the natural vegetation removed for planting gardens or other crops, lines of natural tree species should be planted perpendicular to the stream to prevent soil erosion and serve as a support for natural vegetable species. The trees used should be selected based on food, income, materials and other uses.

Garden Edible Plants Medicines Trees sp. NTFPs Mushrooms Soil Orgs. Insects Pollinators

Frogs Fish Ants Snails Crabs Wildlife Birds Reptiles Fodder

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Riparian Gardens

Focus: Food/ Medicinal Plants, NTFP Enhancement

Garden areas developed along streams, although removing native vegetation, provide an opportunity for a diversity of local crop species as well as incorporating local edible crops, trees and medicinal plants.

Mixed Tree Clumps Focus: Food Plants, Wildlife, NTFP Enhancement

A common sight in SE Asia are clumps of trees in farm fields which are composed of a variety of tree and plant species as well as providing habitat for a wide range of small animals and insects. All of these provide a diversity of food, income, materials and medicines to farmers.

Coppiced trees Focus: Food Plants & NTFP Enhancement

Tree species which have coppicing ability should be managed to encourage rapid re-growth. Such management results in greater soil fertility, material and food products, supports for climbing plants, habitats for birds and reduced soil erosion.

Alley Cropping Focus: Fodder, NTFP, Medicinal Plants

Tree and perennial crops are planted on the hills with the area between tree rows planted to fodder, crops or NTFP species. Livestock can graze these areas directly or be harvested.

Tree Rows Focus: Materials, Wildlife, NTFP Enhancement

Rather than planting larger plantations of trees used for materials, wood or commercial uses, they can be planted in rows anywhere within the farm landscape, but are more often seen planted on field borders. In addition to the products from the trees themselves, they can also be important habitats for birds. The focus is on short rows, versus long rows.

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Lone Trees in Fields

Focus: Bird Enhancement Pest Control

Individual trees in fields are important habitats for birds, which need protection in open field areas. Birds, while important sources of food directly, may often play an important role in pest control in farmers' fields. Owls and hawks for rodents, insectivores for insect pests.

Live Fences Focus: Food Plants, Wildlife, NTFP Enhancement

Live fences using a wide range of local and introduced species provide a direct source of wood, materials, food and fodder. The also provide a support for climbing plants and habitat for small animals. Importantly they hold back soil, moisture and increase soil fertility.

Rock Fences and Rock Piles Focus: Food Plants, Wildlife,

In farm areas where there is considerable rock resources, strategically constructing fences and piles of rocks provides unique habitats for small animals as well as climbing plants which are food for farmers. Rock structures generate different food chain levels much like an aquatic reef. As such, farmers can more easily enhance and harvest organisms associated with the rock structures.

Check Dams Focus: Food/Medicinal Plants, Wildlife, NTFP

Checkdams made of rock, wood, or live plants encourage a diversity of plants growing behind the dams as a result of increased moisture and soil fertility. The plant communities themselves provide food, materials and cash potential as well as supporting animal communities.

Stick Piles (horizontal) Focus: Wildlife Enhancement

Crop and tree residues placed in piles on the farm provide habitat for small animals and plant species used as food for farmers. Piles should be approximately 1 meter high and more than one square meter in area. Mushrooms may also generate from such piles.

Sticks Against Trees Focus: Wildlife Enhancement

Similar to stick piles, tree branches can be placed up against living trees to provide a habitat for small animals, wild plant species and mushrooms.

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Wooden Fences/Structures Focus: Food Plants, Wildlife, NTFP Enhancement

Wooden fences and other fence structures are important for climbing plants used as food, income and medicine. Normally wild plant species will readily cover fences making it easier to harvest. Small wildlife will also visit such structures in search of food, where they can be easily harvested.

Wooden Poles Focus: Food Plants, Wildlife, NTFP Enhancement

Wooden poles leaning against each can be placed anywhere on the farm, pathways into adjacent forest areas, riparian zones and near the homestead to provide a support for climbing plants used as food, income and medicine. Small wildlife will also visit such structures in search of food, where they can be easily harvested.

Homestead Area Margins & Fences Focus: Food Plants

Homestead agrobiodiversity can be substantially increased by using live fences, wooden fences and all margin areas for the production of a wide range of local domesticated as well as wild species of food and medicinal plants.

Homestead Pots and Raised Platforms Focus: Food/Medicinal Plants

To avoid livestock damage, Lao farmers traditionally raise areas within the homestead using wooden posts to plant a wide range of food and medicinal crops. The potential for this system to be expanded is almost unlimited, particularly combined with utilization/combination of margins.

Roof Structures for Vines Focus: Food Plants &

Roofs provide important growing areas for vine crops in the homestead and farm huts for a wide range of wild and domesticated crops.

Trellis Over Ponds/water Focus: Vegetable Food Enhancement

Overall productivity of pond area can be increased by constructing trellises over the tops of pond and water areas for both domesticated and wild plants to climb on.

Ant Feeders on Trees Focus: Ant Enhancement

Red ant eggs are an important food in Laos and can be enhanced by placing plastic bottles or bamboo “vases” with water on trees where red ant colonies are established. Also, dead fish or other animal products can be tied to the same trees for supplemental feeding.

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Strings Between Trees Focus: Ant Enhancement

String tied between trees with active red ant colonies provides an epath for ants to travel between trees. Ants protect some citrus crops from pests and are sources of ant eggs, a local food.

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Mole Crickets Fields

Focus: Cricket Enhancement

Mole crickets are an important food source in Laos. Populations of crickets can be enhanced by regularly cutting vegetation low in a separate area maintained specifically for crickets.

Sweep Nets Focus: Insect (food) Collection

Sweep nets made of a bamboo stick 1.5 meters long and a funnel of cloth or plastic to “sweep” through rice fields and other areas is a good way to collect important food insects, as well as a pest control strategy if necessary.

Insect collection screens Focus: Insect Collection

A white or clear plastic sheet, about 1-2 meters square is placed between two bamboo poles with a small trough of water underneath it. A electric or kerosene light is placed under it at night to attract insects which then hit the plastic and fall into the water. The insects are used as food.

Shallow depressions in Rice Fields Focus: Amphibian and Fish Enhancement

1X1X1 meter depressions in rice fields, preferably lined with concrete or stone masonry which are water-tight, provide important reproduction habitats in the early season and refuge during other parts of the rainy season. The more depressions the better, placed in the corners of the fields.

Connecting Streams to Rice Fields Focus: Aquatic Animal Enhancement

Much like connections between wetlands and rice fields or between wetland areas, aquatic animals can move more efficiently if a series of shallow depressions and possibly connecting shallow ditches can be constructed along natural drainage areas from the field to the streams.

31

Living Ditches Focus: Aquatic Animal & Plant Enhancement

Irrigation ditches which bring water to and from fields are managed as tools to bring water to fields rather than biodiversity. But they serve both functions. By allowing water plants and vegetation on the banks, irrigation ditches can more easily transport aquatic animals to fields.

Compost in the Corner of

l and Fish

One way to increase nutrients for aquatic animals is to place plant ell Rice Field

Focus: Snai Enhancement

residues in the corner of the rice field, promoting algae growth as was plankton populations, important sources of food for snails, fish and other aquatic animals. Quantities should be small/scattered to avoid significant reductions in dissolved oxygen resulting from decomposition.

Wetlands with Interconnected Fields Focus:

to Rice

Aquatic Animal

nimals

Enhancement

Where large areas of wetland exist, it is useful to plan for and construct pathways which allow for the movement of aquatic abetween the wetland and the adjacent rice field areas. This can be done by constructing shallow ditches, or possibly better, by a series of shallow, lined depressions.

Canals in Rice Fields Focus: Aquatic Animal

cmX30cmX30cm) dug in rice fields on

Enhancement

Shallow, narrow canals (30perimeter, across or any configuration which allows for easier movement of fish and other aquatic animals and provides habitat in times of low water situations.

Sticks in Rice Fields Focus: Snail Enhancement

boo, placed in a rice field provides .

Any kind of stick, including bamgreater surface area for algae growth, which is a major food for snailsThe greater the surface area for algae, the greater the snail population.

Aquatic Animal Enhancement

Small plots (anything more than 3X3 meters) of natural wetland and

Mini-Wetlands in Rice Fields Focus:

vegetation intentionally left in rice field cultivation areas provide important habitat for natural aquatic animals which can then populaterice fields or find shelter during adverse climates. At least one per hectare.

32

e s,

entire year. They serve as fish conservation as well as fish collection

Deep Depressions in RicFields Focus: Aquatic Animals Enhancement

One meter diameter and 3-5 meter deep wells dug into the rice fieldthe tops of which are level with the ground, which have water the

points.

eld Dikes

ment

ol

ote a healthy population of predatory and parasitic insects.

Rice Fi

alFocus: Food and Animnce Feed Enha

Pest Contr

Rice field dikes left to natural vegetation, or purposely planted with desired plants and trees provide food for people, feed for livestock and prom

Branches in Ponds Focus: Snail and Fish

greater surface area for snail production and fish habitat and protection. The more the better. These can be placed horizontally or

Enhancement

Bamboo, sticks and branches from trees placed in ponds generate

vertically in the ponds.

Shallow Depressions in

both early and late season reproduction r

Upland Springs Focus: Aquatic Animal Enhancement

Similar to depressions in upland and rice fields, 1X1X1 meter depressions should be placed in a series downhill from natural spring reas in the uplands for a

environments and refuge, mainly for amphibians but possible fosnails and crabs as well. The more depressions the better.

Shallow Depressions in s vide

uring Upland Fields Focus: Amphibian Enhancement

Similar to the depressions in rice fields, 1X1X1 meter depressionplaced in natural drainage areas in upland fields will proimportant reproduction habitats in the early season and refuge dother parts of the rainy season, mainly for amphibians.

Deep Sanctuary Inside Wetlands Focus: Aquatic Animal Enhancement

Wetlands (which includes low areas in agricultural landscapes) can function better as sanctuaries for aquatic animals in the dry season if deep wells (lined with concrete, rock masonry or wood) or deep ponds dug inside them which maintain water throughout the dry period.

33

of Wetlands Focus: Aquatic Animal Enhancement

To relieve the pressure on fish sanctuaries in wetland areas, small capture ponds can be constructed in a concentric circle on the periphery of the wetland sanctuary area which serve the dual purpose of enhancing the population of aquatic animals in the wetlands as well as a community capture area for harvesting aquatic animals.

Capture Ponds on Boundary

ShallowDepressions in Wetland Focus: Aquatic Anim

Connecting s

al Enhancement

In areas where there are many scattered wetlands, these can be connected by means of a series of shallow depressions installed between the areas which provide the safety of deep water environments for a progressive movement from one area to another.

Conservation Zones in Stream Focus: Aquatic Animals Enhancement

Setting aside sections of streams as “no fishing” zones can increase overall fish populations in streams, especially if the habitat in the stream is enhanced by placing rocks, logs and ensuring riparian areas are well vegetated.

Hollow Sticks Focus: Amphibian Enhancement

An a micro-scale, bamboo tubes placed flat in and near naturally wet areas on the farm including stream areas, depressions and ditches can provide important habitat for amphibians during daylight hours and times of low rainfall.

Rocks on Banks of Streams Focus: Amphibian, Reptiles & Crab Enhancement

Rocks from the adjacent farmland can be carried and placed strategically on stream banks to provide habitat for frogs, reptiles, crabs and crustaceans as well as reduce soil erosion. Arranged carefully, they can provide considerable habitat niches to enhance overall populations.

34

Branches in Water Depressions Focus: Snail and Fish Enhancement

Bamboo, sticks and branches from trees placed in depressions generate greater surface area for snail production and fish habitat aprotection. The more the better. They also prevent livestock and children from accidentally falling in depressions.

nd

Sticks/bottles on Tre

ocus: Amphibian

es hed to ian F

Enhancement

Plastic bottles with the tops removed, or bamboo “vases” attactrees in riparian and other forest areas which are home to amphibpopulations. Many tree frog species need such water habitats forreproduction. [It should be noted that in some areas these may generate higher number of disease-carrying mosquitoes]

Old Tires

ocus: AF mphibian Enhancement

e

her number of disease-carrying mosquitoes]

Used tires, stacked or unstacked, can provide micro-habitats attractivto frogs and other species such as crickets, snakes and rats. Water inold tires can stay for a long time after rainstorms, providing important habitat for frog reproduction. [It should be noted that in some areas these may generate hig

35

36

nex D domestication opportunities

The concept of buffer zone and forest conservation is not working well to preserve mu e bi ortance. People do go to the forests and co p , traditional medicines, and other products (See Annex 2 for details). Natural supplies of these herbs and plants are fast de s ing due to over-exploitation and/or misuse of their habitats (e.g. slash-and-burn agriculture). Collection and harvesting of leaves an k tripping barks, and collection of roots may kil a reductions in their populations. Promoting the o ardens for personal use and in plantations and appropriate environments on the farm for commercial exploitation is an alternative to managing populations in the wild. The most valuable species so far do a s, paper mulberry, wild bamboo, rattan, lem w tea, native passion fruits, pigeonpea-stick lac s s, and some medicinal plants. 1. e . lachryma-jobi L.) Jo p l Barley, is cultivated on sloping uplands wherever upland rice cannot be grown due to low soil moisture and low soil fertility. Jo ls and the straw used as mulch. However, the market for job’s tear is highly variable from year to year.

Job's tear is commonly used in Asia as food (soups) and medicine. In Korea and China, distilled liquors are also made from job’s tear grain. In China, it is one the most popular food herbs used in the diet therapy of painful and stiff joints, either sin or in x ople si ook 1 to 2 ounces of job’s tear grain in water (re o o ) and d e soup or eat it all to get relief from joint pains or rheumatism. Job's t common nutrients such as lipids (glyc h lip , , etc.), amino acids, adenosine, thiamine, an rs

2. Broom grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) Broom grass is collected from fallow lands. It is also planted in less fertile fallow lands and cut every year to produce brooms for local & export markets. Addition of micro-aquatic habitats and terrestrial reefs in broom grass fields can enhance amphibian species and other organisms. 3. Paper mulberry (Broussonatia papyrifera) plantations

s for its barks. It is now domesticated and during the first year. The spacing is 3m

e fallow plots are weeded to allow good growth of mulberry. The branches are cut when they reach about 5 cm or more in diameter and barks are removed and processed for sale. The mulberry trees can be inter-planted with rattan and fruit trees to increase diversity and harvest multiple products. Generally old people are involved in mulberry processing. They get Kips 1.5 million per person per year from mulberry. Farmers consider paper mulberry as a

An

economic imp, essential oil

are disappear

branches, sing to seriousies in home g

, broom grasild honey, wildin trees, spice

yma-jobi L. and C

s Chinese Pear

d with pineapple

Examples of commercial NTFP

ch of thllect certain

clining and

d fruits is ol the plants cultivation

mesticated on grass,

, liang tree-

Job’s t

b’s tear, po

b’s tear is a

odiversity of lants for food

ome species

ay, but cuttingnd trees, leadf these spec

re job’s tearild orchids, wtick lac, benzo

ar (Coix lachr

ularly known a

o intercroppe

gly quires

d othe

sone

oli.

up ho

pids

miur

, p

es.r m

osp

Peore

ho

mprin

ste

ly ck th

rolsear also contains the moreids

Paper mulberry is generally cut from forestinter-planted with upland rice and other crops x 3m for paper mulberry. Second year, th

great cash crop and plant them ev gardens; for them growing paper mulberry is like having money in the b . Bitter bamboo and rattan shoots

here is potential in

dity, sak be

,

ng 00

and liang tree-stick lac

producing stick lac. It has now spread to Nambak, ut 1,300 hectares are

en in homeank.

4 (3-4 species) Bitter bamboo and rattan are cultivated in lower slopes and young shoots are harvested for sale in local markets. Planting bamboo and rattan bushes in river and canal banks will improve the habitats for various under-growth species and reptiles and amphibians. Rattan can also be intercropped with paper mulberry and fruit trees. Rattan is used for making baskets and furniture. 5. Laotian red bananas

Laotian red bananas are exotic and nutritious. Red color has many positive connotations in Chinese culture. They will be wiling to pay a premium price for the novel red banana – a potential fruit for cultivation and export by Lao farmers.

6. Potential for blueberry cultivation in Laos

Mr. Sam Chanpradith, a Lao-Canadian investor believes that taos to grow blueberries for export. He achieved positive results from a 3-ha trial L

plantation of blueberries in Vientiane province. He plans to establish 400 to 500 ha of blueberry trees within the next 10 years, which will create jobs for more than 5,000 villagers. Market for blueberry is good and the price is around US$32 per kg in some Asian markets.

Blueberry trees grow in well-drained sandy soils and require a high level of humiwith regular fog for good growth and high yield. The Bolaven Plateau in Champasprovince appears to be most suited, but other suitable areas in northern Laos canidentified for blueberry cultivation. The trees can produce 2 and 5 kg of berries pertree per season two and five years after planting. According to Mr. Sam Chanpraditheach ha would require 12 people to grow and care for the trees, and a processiplant and a freezer would be needed for the harvest produced from each 2hectares (Source: Vientiane Times, 28 January 2008)

7. Entomo-forestry: Pigeonpea-stick lac

Stick lac was originally collected from ‘Liang’ trees in forests, but it is now commercially produced and exported to China and Vietnam. The most widespread and successful agricultural enterprise in Luang Prabang province is the stick lac production; it is especially suited to farmers with limited capital. Farmers in Houay ek village have been traditionallyL

Phonexay, Pakxaeng, Ngoy and Viengkham districts where aboevoted to stick lac production. The demand for stick lac is increasing, especiallyd

from China and Vietnam. The purified lacquer is used to make a red dye which is applied to handicraft items.

Both pigeonpea (2m x 2m spacing) and ‘Liang’ trees (3m x 3m spacing) can be planted with upland rice and other crops except sesame. After a year, the host plants are inoculated with lac insects twice a year in March-May and September-November; weeds (vines) and pests (ants and rats) are controlled to allow for healthy growth of host plants and lac insects; stick lac is harvested twice a year, 5-6 months after

37

inoculation. Stick lac yields range from 1,000 to 4,500 kg ha-1. Ants, rats, and adverse weather (heavy rains, strong winds, hail storms, and drought) affect the rowth of lac insects, while grasshoppers, rats, stink-bugs attack the host

xed upland rice + pigeonpea + lac sect rearing systems enhance diversity and improve food and income security

tion will reduce these pests (Biocontrol and food chain).

8. Benzoin (Styrax tonkinensis P.) production

ed to regrow from stumps, approximately at 5 x 5 m spacing. After the crops have been harvested, the fields are left as fallow for about13 years. During

collected between March and May. After 13 years, the benzoin trees become unproductive and or die; this is when

edlings and rice. One tree could produce 1-2 kg of benzoin and the current farm gate price is

ering now and thus would cross pollinate with local species; there is a fear that this cross pollination may lead to the extinction of local

gplants/trees. As pigeonpea and ‘Liang’ trees are planted mixed with upland rice, stick lac production does not need more land; labor input is minimal (80 person-days ha-1); the dried stick lac is easy to store and transport. Stick lac production can mitigate the negative effects of short fallows as the pigeonpea can help improve soil fertility, reduce soil erosion, and suppresses weeds. Miin(Keoboualapha et al 2006).

The important wild animal species that are collected from the pigeon pea-stick lac fields and/or fallow lands are grasshoppers, beetles, and rats which are also pests on pigeonpea. However, efficient collection of these species for home consump

Benzoin is a substance extracted from the stems of ‘Bezoin’ trees and it is practiced traditionally in Mok Vad and neighboring villages. It is an important export product of Laos for more than 300 years. Its production involves slash-and-burn agriculture: Upland rice and other crops are planted in the burnt fields and benzoin seedlings are planted or allow

the first four years, fallow fields have to be protected from bush fire and areas around trees weeded to ensure good growth of benzoin trees. During the fallow period, a wide range of NTFPs – bamboo shoots, forest fruits and vegetables, and wild animals – are collected for food and or sale to traders. The fallow land is sometimes grazed by farm animals. Harvesting of benzoin begins in year 6 and continues up to year 13. The trees are tapped between August and Nov and the benzoin is

the next cycle of slash-and-burn begins with the replanting of benzoin se

35,000 kips/kg (Keoboualapha 2008). 9. Agarwood (Aquilaria crassna) oil

Agarwood trees are popular in Laos. Farmers have been planting exotic agarwood species for commercial exploitation. The Science and Technology Research Institute estimates that Laos has about 600,000 ha of agarwood plantations, planted about five years ago, mostly in Champassak and Oudomxay provinces. The imported agarwood trees started flow

agarwood species. This is the reason that the Science and Technology Research Institute has taken the necessary steps to preserve the valuable local agarwood species though tissue culture techniques. Local species are believed to be more disease resistant than imported varieties, which need time to adjust to a new

38

environment. Therefore, the seeds of local species sell for Kips 5 to 6 million per kg, while those purchased in other countries cost around Kips 600,000 per kg.

A Malaysian company by name MESB Agriculture Sdn Bdn has developed a method inoculate the agarwood trees with a non-chemical substance and efficiently extract

0. Traditional medicines and medicinal plants

raditional treatment of human and animal diseases with various herbs and plant

assess and monitor the sustainability of wild resources and ollection practices.

for herbal medicines used in alternative healthcare systems and for natural essential oils and beauty products. Global value

have been established in Oudumxay (15 ha), Borikamxay (26 ha), Viengkham-

tothe valuable essential oil from agarwood trees in Laos, It has developed a joint venture with the Lao Agriculture Development Company which owns 420 hectares of land with about 1.2 million agarwood trees in Phonhong district of Vientiane province. The Malaysian company will provide the technology and help in marketing the agarwood oil and related products. The demand for agarwood oil is high and the price ranges from Kips 65 million to 139 million (US$7,000 to US$15,000) per liter of the oil, depending on quality,

In addition, the Lao Research Institute of Science has identified the fungus used to inject agarwood trees for the production of essential oil, but its commercial exploitation is still lacking.

1 Tproducts is the principal method of healthcare in tribal areas. In addition, tribal people collect certain plants from forests to extract oil, use for themselves, and sell essential oils and various beauty products in local markets. Natural supplies of these herbs and plants are fast declining and some species are disappearing due to over-exploitation and/or misuse of their habitats (e.g. slash-and-burn agriculture). Collection and harvesting of leaves and fruits is okay, but cutting of branches, stripping of barks and collection of roots are dangerous as they may kill the plants and trees, leading to final extinction of species. The IUCN has developed the International Standard for Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) which will enable collectors, traders, resource managers, industry and other stakeholders toc It is estimated that more than 800 species of wild plants are used in traditional medicines and in preparation of essential oils and other natural products in tribal areas of northern Vietnam (BBC 2007). A similar scenario exists in northern Laos. For example, a survey found about 200 medicinal-plant species growing wild in Borikhamxay province. Demand is fast increasing worldwide

of these products is estimated at US$ 60 billion or more (BBC 2007). Local and international NGOs are working with tribal communities in many parts of the world to cultivate, harvest, process and market the natural products in a sustainable manner, rather than obtaining them from declining wild species. For people from remote communities, cultivating medicinal and essential oil plants is more profitable than cultivating other crops. It will also help preserve the indigenous healthcare knowledge accumulated over several millennia and the valuable medicinal and essential oil plants, thereby enhancing the agro-biodiversity in tribal areas. Medicinal plants preservation parks

39

Vientiane Municipality (6 ha), and Chamapassak (7 ha). Three hundred and forty eight species have been collected and preserved in these parks.

s, enhancing environmental quality, and carefully exploiting and protecting agro-biodiversity.

Bee keeping has been practiced by villagers for generations. The traditional bee May). In December, bee boxes

re prepared and placed in strategic locations in nearby forests. The farmers

gered tree species for preserving them

known as ‘Longleng’ in Lao (Cunninghamla sinensis). As ese species are highly valued, people illegally cut and sell them at high price of

In addition, farmers can preserve and cultivate some of the medicinal plants in home gardens for their personal use or in plantations or suitable areas on farms for commercial exploitation. It is important to train men and women on the importance of proven traditional medicines and the local medicinal plants and herbs and their proper cultivation, collection, processing and production of medicines for family use and local trade. It will be a cost-effective rural healthcare option for Laos to develop and distribute Traditional Medicine Kits to women to take care of the family health. Healthy family means healthy children and adults who will be more interested in improving production system

11. Apiculture

keeping is practiced for about 7 months (December to aregularly check and see whether the bees have come into the boxes. The bee boxes with bees inside are then taken back to the village and placed in home gardens with fruit trees and closely supervised. In May, the honey is harvested. On an average, one bee box could produce 3 large ‘Beer Lao’ bottles (about 2.0 liters) of honey. The harvested honey is consumed by family, used as medicine to treat fever and stomach ache or sold locally at 30,000-40,000 kips per bottle. After the honey has been removed, the bee nest is processed into beeswax. Bee wax is widely used in religious ceremony and sold at 30,000 kips per kg. Thus, honey production is well adapted to home gardens with fruit trees. In addition to nutritious food, medicine and cash income, bees can also serve as pollinators, enhancing cross pollination between crops and native plants (Keoboualapha 2008). 12. Growing endan

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has compiled a list of 12 endangered tree species for the forest department to take all actions to prevent their extinction. Important among them are the Burma Blackwood or ‘Doulai’ in Lao (Dalbergia cultrate), the Thailand rosewood or ‘Khanhung’ in Loa (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), and the hardwood treethUS$60,000 per cubic meter of Burma Blackwood logs and US$8,000 for Thailand rosewood logs, The third most threatened species of ‘longleng’ (Cunninghamla sinensis), is found in Xieng Khouang and Huaphan provinces. People with high blood pressure believe that sleeping on a bed made of longleng wood will cure them.

40

Annex E

Ecological and Environmental Services of Biodiversity

rvices are discussed below.

trogen fixation, soil organic matter & microbial diversity

ginger, galangal, pineapple & fruit trees are planted on hedges & (b) crops are cultivated & pigs are

y. In grassland and fodder plots, biomass yield is high (> 20 t ha-1) and the level of soil rganic matter increases. The fodder plots are shifted every 3-4 years. Animal anure is added to fodder and crop plots to maintain soil fertility. Rotation of fodder lots and grasslands with crops will maximize the productivity of both crops and nimals. Planting of legume shrubs and trees (glyricidia and leucaena below altitude 000 m ASL and calliandra at altitudes above 1000 m ASL) in live fences on property orders and divided field boundaries for rotational grazing will enhance legume dder for animals and green leaf manure for crops. Finally, the increased content of

Species diversity was discussed in the previous section. However, it is only one aspect of the biodiversity. The other and equally important part is the environmental and ecological services provided by biodiversity. The ecological services of biodiversity such as carbon-nitrogen fixation, building of soil organic matter, pollination, and pest/predator balance and their relationship to productivity (food, fuel, materials, income) and sustainability need to be understood and improved. Unfortunately, the direct impacts of these services are difficult to readily see by farmers and are difficult to promote. Yet they are still worth discussing. Some options for improving functional biodiversity se 1. Carbon and ni Improving fallows with pigeonpea & stylosanthes and rice-pigeonpea intercropping on uplands; incorporating legume shrubs such as leucaena in pineapple fields in uplands; growing rice bean, soybean, cowpea, & sesbania on field bunds and scattered sesbania within fields in montane paddies; and applying green leaf manures from outside will help improve soil organic matter and microbial diversity which help build up and maintain soil fertility. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF): The grain and fallow legumes and leguminous shrubs and trees added to the farming systems fix N from the atmosphere and add the fixed N to soil when their residues are returned to the field. Mixed species hedges (jatropha, shrubs and trees) will reduce erosion and help accumulate soil and increase soil moisture retention just above the hedges. Species and microbial diversity will be higher in accumulated soil. Integrated crop-animal alley systems on slopes: (a) stylo,

kept in alternate alleys between hedges; pigs dig the soil and incorporate crop residues, wastes and organic matter into the soil. Pigs are moved to crop alleys in alternate years (URDP). This system will increase soil organic matter level and diverse and active microbial populations. Sedentary fodder production and controlled rotational grazing with improved forages and grass species will not only enhance livestock productivity, but also produce animal manures that can improve soil fertility in fodder plots, grasslands, and crop fields. The concentrated efforts in small areas reduce pressure on other lands, prevent over-grazing, reduce soil erosion, and maintain soil fertilit

ompa1bfo

41

soil organic matter will enhance the number, diversity and activity of microbial species to sustain crops and animals for lo me (healthy ecosystem).

tensive production of pigs in pens and the systematic collection and processing

ens and in lastic tubs and micro-roof gardens with waste water from homes will help plants to

n. me

ancing them with beneficial predators. his is the basic principle of integrated pest management (IPM). Maintaining and

streams, nailing cut amboos or plastic bottles on trees, placing bundles of slit bamboos, stacks of old

redators.

ndscapes on rolling hills and mountains of orthern Laos are amazingly beautiful, at least during the rainy season and this

nger ti

Inof pig manure for application to crop and fodder fields will improve soil organic matter level, microbial numbers and diversity, and soil fertility. It will also improve the hygiene in homesteads and help keep people healthy for productive activities. 2. Enhancing pollinators Increasing plant species diversity in fields, home gardens, river gardens and river and canal banks and riparian areas will extend the flowering period of various species. In addition, growing vegetables and herbs in home and river gardpflower in dry season and help pollinator insects and bees to survive in dry seaso

o plants in forest also flower in dry season providing food for the insects and Sbees. 3. Pest-predator balance (beneficial predation) Both terrestrial insects/reptiles/plant species and aquatic organisms and plants keep the invasive crop pests under control by balTenhancing terrestrial micro-habitats (terrestrial reefs such as upland islets, piles of stones and rocks, piles of straw, etc.) in wetlands and riparian areas and building micro-aquatic habitats (micro-pools, micro-barrages across btires, etc.) in uplands and riparian areas will help enhance species diversity and food for humans and animals. Some of the natural and cultivated species flower at different times including the dry season and provide food for various insects including p Special Note: Agro-ecotourism The potential of agro-eco-tourism to alleviate poverty in selected remote areas of Laos can be explored. Some of the rice lanlandscape is directly related to biodiversity. In addition, villages with hot springs (Ban Nat Tong, Xieng Khouang province) and mini water-falls (Kacham village) can be developed for eco-tourism. Local people can be involved in various activities such as building accommodation, hospitality services, handicrafts, etc. to enhance the local economy and increase the demand for local crops and products. The Lao National Tourism Administration and the www.ecotourismlaos.com can evaluate the potential of these ventures and look for funding from various sources to develop them.

42

43

Annex F

s com n Lao name E m

Example

nglish name Botanical na

of

e

mercially exploited NTFPs i

Uses

the Lao PDR

Dok Khem B i oom nroom grass Thysanolaena latifolia Inflorescence processed nto b s, exported to Thaila d Posa P p fera e xportaper mulberry Broussonatia apyri Barks processed into fib rs, e ed to Thailand Mak Tao S r lo ; frui n mugar palms Arenga weste houtii Seed, sweet meat used cally ts exported to Thaila d for aking seets Peuak Muak M al ca x d to uak bark Boehmeria m abari Barks for making gum; e porte China Mak Neng C e edici a ardamom Amomum sp. Dired fruits used as spic & m ne, exported to ChinNyan B n perfnezoin Styrax tonkine sis Exported to France for making umes Kisi D n Vietnamar resin Shorea sp. Resin exported to Thaila d & am Mai Ketsana E

As ti ; exp n b

oped d xto ees i

agle wood or gar wood

Aquilaria cras na Scented wood for essenMalaysian company hasessential oil from agar w

al oildevelod tr

orted to China, Japa an extraction methon Laos.

, Ara to e

countries; A ract valuable

Nor Mai B D onorops a ketsamboo shoots Calamus sp.; Raphis sp.

aem sp.; Edible shoots sold in loc l mar

Nor Khom ot Mai Khom

Bs

ca s ocal China itter bamboo hoots

Indosasa sini Dry season edible shoot for l markets; exported to

Nyod Vay R Daemonorops a s or eattan shoots Calamus sp.; Raphis sp.

sp.; Edible shoots for local m rket xported to Thailand

Chandai (Shrubby Dracaena)

Dtr

eiri; D. draco a ragon’sd stem in limes

ragon’s blood ee

Dracaena lour Medicinal plants exporteproduced from thickene

d to Chinmeri

; A bright red resin, d of chandai. It grows

blood is tone outcrops

-- R(

us campanula i g of t mestoneafflesia of Perlis Malaysia)

Amorphophal ta Weight reducing drug; G nsen he poor; grows on li areas

Van nang T horrhiza ROX cs (Borikhaurmeric Curcuma xant B Medicine, food, cosmeti mxay) Khi min C

tua L cs (Borikhaommon

rmeric Curcuma long Medicine, food, cosmeti mxay)

Mak Kha G al nd alangal Alpinia galang Spice exported to ThailaPeuakbong B d & Vietna ks & incong bark Persea kurzii Bark exported to Thailan m for making joystic ense Hed W es rkets ild mushrooms Various speci Sold as food in local maMak Koh C p. rkets hestnut Castanopsis s Sold as food in local maMak Kho T for thatchearaw palm Livistonia sp. Edible oily fruits; leaves d roofs Mak Chong M cropodum or

ophora rkets alva nut Scaphium ma

Sterculia lygnSold as food in local ma

Vai Ratt sp. hina an fruits Daemonorops As food or medicine in CDok pheung or Dok euang

Wild pp. nts exporte orchids Dentrobium s High-vlaue medicinal pla d to China

Sources: NAFRI, IUC N, SNV & IFAD and Wikipedia

44

Farming systems, current focus -biodiversity for each of (a) Mountain tops & crests, (b) Unf ands on gentle slopes, and (d) Montane

ntain topfarmin focus ended te

isti s, Lao

scapes/ s

armitem

Habitats

Focus & chnologies

Enhancing ABD

Annex G

and technologies, and potential options for enhancing agroavorable uplands on steep slopes, (c) Favorable upl

paddies

Moumm

s/crests (Lao Soung) Current g-systems, & practices, reco chnologies, and potential options for enhancing agro-biodiversity(ABD) in ex ng system PDR (Feb 2008). LandEcosystem

FSy

ng s s & Te

Potential Options for

Mountain tops ng &

))

Forests & forest Conservation; NTFP micro-pools; piles of rocks (Lao SouHmong

margins collection Wild tea; wild curry leaves; wild honey; or sticks

Uplands-and-burn

crop sesame s: slash- Maize, Micro-pools; piles of maize stover;

Uplands-Fallo ang ached to trees w Pigeonpea-stick lac; Litree-stick lac;

Micro-pools; plastic bottles or bamboo with holes att

Property bLive fence

ouns

daries- -- Jatropha fence + eucalyptus and calliandra at regular intervals

Montane paddy Cold-tolerant rice varieties; Terrestrial reefs: raised areas with upland crops; a variety of plants Gall midge control on canal banks; ducks

Fishponds Fish Fruit trees & shrubs on banks; Ducks in pens

Large ponds rian area

uit trees on banks; maize, of stones

& Fish Ripa s

Live fence & eucalyptus, mulberry & frvegetables; creepers on fences; piles

Home garden A variety of crops, fruits, bles, herbs, spices

en, ducks

A variety of plants & trees; roof-top garden; vegetable crops in h on fence; passion fruit on trees; vegeta

k, tubs; creeper red spinac

chic cardamom; medicinal plants; strawberry with mulch Livestock sy buffalos, horses,

live fences; water holes + salt; piles of stems Cattle,

pigs Improved pasture; fodder

crops; live fences + calliandra; passion

fruits & other creepers onrocks and sticks; fodder shrubs

45

UnfavorablCurrent farming-systems, focus & practices, recommended technologies, and potential options for enhancing agro-biodiversity

e uplands on steep slopes (Khmu)

(ABD) in existing systems, Lao PDR (Feb 2008). Landscapes/ Ecosystems

Farming Systems & Habitats

Focus & Technologies

Potential Options for Enhancing ABD

Uo

nfavorable uplands n steep slopes (>30%)

Uplands-crops: Slash-and-burn

Imp. upland rice, sesame, maize; job’s tear

Piles of rice straw or job’s tear stover; piles of rocks; micro-pools

Uplands: Pineapple (2 y to fruit & continues for 4-5 y)

Planting across slopes Live fences: jatropha & eucalyptus; intercropped job’s tear or lemon grass; leucaena inter-planted; micro-pools; piles of stones & sticks

U w N grass Plante ac; piles of

plands-Fallo atural broom d broom grass; pigeon-pea or liang trees for stick l rocks; micro-bushes

Tree plots/ planubber, paper

tations: r mulberry,

Inter-planted with shade-loving crops: mulberry + rattan; micro-pools in wet areas; small barrages on springs

teak

Seedlings

Property boundariesLive fences

a + eucalyptus; passion fruit wine on fences; wind-breaks;

- -- Jatroph

Patches of mixedcrops

& trees

shrubs, fruit trees, eucalyptus

-- Stylo, pigeonpea, cassava, fodder

Contour hedges/ strips

il

accumulation) mixed plants across slopes

Leucaena (takes > 6yto get so

Jatropha, stylo, cassava in rows across slopes; patches of

Integrated crop-animal (URD

er, l, pineapple

n hedgepigs in eys & in

d in alternatyears

Stylo for pigs; ginger & e

crops mature in one season; pineapple is ready in 2 y & continues for 4-5 y;

igs

Enhanced species diversity; improved soil fertility & moisture

possible) alley systemsa) stylo, ging

P) galangal mature in onyear; upland

galanga & fruit trees o(b) Crops &

ll

s &

alternate achange

ter-e

fruit trees in 4-5 y; psold every 6 months

retention; piles of stones; piles of split bamboos; micro-pools; honey bee culture (if

Home garden A variety of crops, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, chicken, ducks

A variety of plants & trees; roof-top garden; vegetable crops in tubs; creeper red spinach on fence; passion fruit on trees; cardamom; medicinal plants

Livestock systems Cattle, buffalos, horses, pigs

Improved pasture; fodder crops; sweet potato; live fences; pigs in pens

Cattle grazing Free range Controlled rotational grazing; improved pasture; live fences & creepers on fences; trees at regular intervals on borders; water holes + salt; piles of stones; scattered fodder shrubs

46

Habitats

Favorable uplands on gentle slopes (Khmu + Lao Loum) Current farming-systems, focus & practices, recommended technologies, and potential options for enhancing agro-biodiversity

ng syste 20(ABD) in existi ms, Lao PDR (Feb 08). Landscapes/ Ecosystems

Farming Systems &

Focus & Technologies

Potential Options for Enhancing ABD

Favorable uplands on geslopes (<15%) and in depressions and just abomontane paddies in valle(e.g. Odumxay)

ation of

ith maizpeanuts, etc.

fertilizers; pest control

ntle Permanent

ve cultivupland rice in

ys rotation w e,

Imp. Varieties; Micro-pools; piles of straw; Split-bamboo bundles; Scattered teak trees in fields & field bunds;

Trees, teak in depressions & waterways

gs & grafts Seedlin Stylo, pigeonpea inter-planted; teaks pruned to allow undergrowth; micro-pools; piles of stones or sticks

Property boundLive fence

ariess

-- - Jatropha + teak; passion fruit wine on fences

Home garden A variety of crops, fruits, vegetables,

en, ducks

crops er red spinach on fence; passion fruit on trees;

herbs, spices, chick

A variety of plants & trees; roof-top garden; vegetablein tubs; creepcardamom; medicinal plants; strawberry with mulch

Streams & riparian Micro-barrages; multiple plants + shrubs on banks; piles of areas

-- river stones; micro-pools in riparian areas

River, river gardeneas ; piles of stones

s Vegetables, spices, herbs & riparian ar

Live fence & teak, mulberry & fruit trees on banks; maize, vegetables; creepers on fences

s - Controlled rotational grazing; imp. Mixed pasture; live fences for dividing fields; creepers on fences; scattered teak trees & fodder shrubs, e.g. leucaena

Livestock systemGrazing

Free grazing

der

Cut & carry fodder; live fences around fodder plots; scattered leucaena or glyricidia; micro-pools + salt

Permanentcultivation: Fod

Imp. fodder species

47

Montane paddies in valleys (Lao Loum) Current farming-systems, focus & p r enhancing agro-biodiversity

HabiFocus & Potential Options for Enhancing ABD

ractices, recommended technologies, and potential options fo(ABD) in existing systems, Lao PDR (Feb 2008). Landscapes/ Farming Systems & Ecosystems tats Techno-logies Montane paddie(valley bottoms

s )

WS risoybwater

et

I

control

ania; weeds; ce-DS rice, ean, rice bean, melon,

veg ables

mp. varieties; fertilizers; pest

Elevated areas for upland crops; scattered sesbtamarind; bamboo bushes; ducks; fish; shrimps; crabs; snails; frogs, snakes; piles of straw; piles of stones, & micro-pools as refuge

valpa

Terra e le a, pa

stylo; eak planta

plantations.

ro-pools from canals to fields as refuge; frog ponds; teaks in rows on boundaries; bamboo bushes; rattan.

ced fields abovys: Maize, bananya, vegetables, some fallows; ttions.

Imp. varieties; fertilizers; teak

Piles of straw; piles of stones, & mic

Field -- ia bunds Taro, rice bean, maize, pigeonpea, sesbania, glyricidUplan -- Fruit trees; maize; banana; fodder shrubs; piles of stones d reefs

Fishp aximum grass; ducks in pens; separate frog pond; stacked old tires

onds Fish Fruit trees & fodder shrubs on banks; Panicum m

Rive ks, riparian areas and river gardens

FcV , h

Li ar pa s;

r/canal, their ban ishing in rivers; rabs, snails; egetables, spiceserbs

ve fence & teak, mulberry & fruit trees, bamboo bushes & suglms on banks; maize, vegetables; wild taro; creepers on fence

piles of stones; bundles of split bamboos

Hom Vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, c

Ae garden

hicken, ducks

variety of plants & trees; roof-top garden; vegetable crops in tub ssion fruit on trees; a

s; creeper red spinach on fence; pac rdamom; medicinal plants

Lives F zing C ots; scattered leu

tock systems ree gra ut & carry fodder; live fences around fodder plcaena; water holes + salt

Intensiv ystems Piglets produced & sold to others

Ssc ure collection pits

e pig s weet potato, mulberry, cabbage; rice bran; creepers on roofs; attered trees; piles of stones; man

Annex H

References and Study Materials

B (Asian Developme nk). 2001. Participa verty assessment: Lao PDR. Vientiane, Laos: ian Development Ban

lasubrama 0 ision for L a com hen r pared for National riculture an y rch In d s d to the Swiss Agency for velopment (SDC e ary 2008. Vientiane, Lao PDR: NAFRI and SDC.

C (B B ti poratio orld n 0w.th rld e

ADAs BaAgDe BB

nt Bak.

8. A v Reseaeration

ng Cor.co.uk

tory po

nds. A FRI) an, Janu

BC W

nian V. 20d Forestr

and Coop

roadcaschalleng

aouteien

20

upl (NAtian

07. B

preubmitte

Challe

sive

ge 2

eport pre

07.

stit), V

n).ritishewoww (acce

ral MMeed, FiD Secr

s ber

auch a . 200 l d s it – making soap! In: sine 1 F ber, an w d si agribusiness. Vol. 3(2), b 20 p etaria

sed

8. Md F

t (

o

ixue

ww

n 12 N

ing ml – A.cbd.

ovem

edicinal pn overvieint/agro

2007).

ants an of bio

BeBuFe

eminss 2008. p

M and Am0: Food, 24-25. CB

paiver

sion fruty and

w )

rsity. In:ol. 3(2),

oghla 20 n gricult B s 0 , Feed, Fiber, and Fuel n ov w e nd agr F Secretariat

ww.cbd.int/

Dj– A(

f A. ervie

08. In Co of biodiv

agro

text: Arsity a

uraibu

l Bsin

iodiveess. V

usineseb 2008

201. p 3.

: Food CBD

w )

d Agricuuntry andww.fao.o

FAsta(A

O (F an lt ganiza t ntial and constraints tistic co al leve Development Division

GL). //w r agll/

ood s at

ural Or regiong/ag/agl/

tionl. Oterr

). nlias

2006ne datat

. Terrastatabase. F

. Land reAO Land

sourc and

e poteWater

http: ; ac

ey of (Pro

nh. 20

cessed

agro-biodvincial Ag

06. Stick

o

obou h . n th s of Northern Laos. publi ng: r y Office).

obou h Ni ms in northern Lao R: A case study in Ngoi District, Luang Phabang Province. Luang Phabang, Lao PDR: Provincial riculture Forestry Office.

quist B K, , Phouynyavon n M paddy rice: velo fect security and li g ao farmers. Mountain sear m 0-47.

(M l Fore 6 ft Year Plan (2001-2005) irective of Sixth Five Year Agro-Forestry Development Plan (2006-2020). Vientiane, Laos: MAF.

S tional Grow P rty Eradicati tegy). 2004. Vien e, Lao PDR: Roundtable s erin mm try of Foreign Affairs.

r W, Phe S pha B. 1995. Relations be n ls, fallow periods, weeds ice yield os and il 17 7

(W n “ pre sive Food Security and ra 0 rri ut in October and m m ntia Laos.

urther reading

n Sep 20

iversity iniculture

lac prod

07.

the and F

uction

KeUn KePDAg LinDeRe MAF and D NGPEProce Rodeand r WFPVulneNove

alapshed

alap

a B. 2008report. Lua

a B, Sisane

Report ong Praba

th S, and

e suPA

pha

rvFO

va

uplandorestr

syste

and

A, Tpment ch and

inistry

röschand ef Develop

of Agricu

Pandey Ss on foodent 27: 4

ture and

g K, Guevelihood a

. Implemen

at D. 20ctivities o

tation o

07. f hi

f Fi

ontanehland L

h Five stry). 200

(Nas Ste

orld Fbility Aber 2006, relea

th and oveittee – Minis

, Keoboulad-burn syste

am of the Uneport of a sud to Press on

on Stra

. Plant

s). 2007. 00 Lao hober 2007

tian

soi-36.

ed oFP-

g Co

ngchanh in slash-an

ood Progrnalysis”: R

se

hips So

Comusehold. Vie

twee6: 2

hens cane: W

ms

itedrve 0

of L

Ny o

7 N

a

atiof 4,ove

For f

nberg H. 1980. Farming systems in the tropics. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

p Book: http://www.nafri.org.la/03_information/sourcebook/Volume2.htm

Ruthe Lao U lands Source

48