SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 1
SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT
EKXANG VILLAGE A Selected Climate Smart Vientiane Province, Lao PDR Village Site
July 2015
Angela Grant, Soytavanh Mienmany, Anousith Keophoxay, Khamphamy Khodyhotha, Silivong Phonevisay, Chantha Souvannaxayyavong, Phetsamone Toummavong, Saythong Chidvilaphone, Jerome Villanueva, Neeny Khamkhosy, Paul Pavelic, Lilao Bouapao, Palikone Thalongsengchanh, Alice Joan Ferrer, Bui Tan Yen, and Leocadio Sebastian 2 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
Suggested citation
Grant A, Mienmany S, Keophoxay A, Khodyhotha K, Phonevisay S, Souvannaxayyavong C, Toummavong P, Chidvilaphone S, Villanueva J, Khamkhosy N, Pavelic P, Bouapao L, Thalongsengchanh P, Ferrer AJ, Yen BT, and Sebastian LS. 2015. Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment Report for Ekxang Village, Lao PDR. CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Copenhagen, Denmark.
Titles in this series aim to disseminate interim climate change, agriculture and food security research and practices and stimulate feedback from the scientific community.
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This Paper has been prepared as an output for the baseline activities under the CCAFS program and has not been peer reviewed. Any opinions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of CCAFS, donor agencies, or partners.
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Summary
Ekxang village is located in the plains of Phonhong district, Vientiane province, Lao PDR. Since the 1990’s, the province has been under rapid infrastructural, economic and social development. Increased access to services including electricity, water, major roads, and education facilitated economic growth in the region. Employment in non-farming activities such as civil servants and factory workers is on the rise, particularly among men. Most of the provincial population (77%) is still dependent on agriculture as their main livelihood activity and rely heavily on natural resources for food security. The main crop produced in Vientiane province is rice (lowland 39.2%, upland 41.5% and plateau 19.3%) with other important crops including tamarind, mango, maize and rubber. Agricultural yields in the region are low but have the potential to increase through the use of supplemental irrigation, new varieties, improved production techniques and the adoption of climate smart technologies. A major threat to agriculture, food security and livelihoods in the region is climate change. The government of Lao PDR recognizes climate change as a barrier to the country’s overall development and has adopted several strategies for promoting adaptation and mitigation across various sectors. However, the ability of the country to adapt depends greatly on the capacity of its institutions to plan and implement these strategies. This study suggests that priority interventions to increase agriculture, food security and improve livelihoods in Ekxang CSV and, on a larger scale, Vientiane province, are 1) develop a sustainable water supply for irrigation, 2) diversify and increase production, 3) build the capacity of local organizations/staff, 4) support projects that focus on skills transfer to local staff and students, 5) enhance current local natural resource management initiatives, and 6) strengthen civil society.
Keywords Ekxang, Laos, situation analysis, need assessment, village, CCAFS 4 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
About the Authors
• Angela Grant, Neeny Khamkhosy, and Jerome Villanueva are volunteers, working at CUSO International, Vientiane, Lao PDR. • Soytavanh Mienmany and Lilao Bouapao work at the Mekong Development Center, Vientiane, Lao PDR. • Anousith Keophoxay is a staff of the International Water Management Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR • Khamphamy Khodyhotha, Phetsamone Toummavong and, Saythong Chidvilaphone and Palikone Thalongsengchanh are researchers at the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR. • Silivong Phonevisay work at the the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, Savanakhet Province, Lao PDR. • Chantha Souvannaxayyavong works at the District Agriculture and Forestry Office, Phonhong District, Lao PDR. • Paul Pavelic, PhD is a specialist in groundwater and conjunctive use management in relation to issues such as floods & droughts, managed aquifer recharge, watershed development, small scale irrigation development and riverbank filtration. He is currently based in IWMI- Laos office in Vientiane, Laos. • Alice Joan Ferrer, PhD is a faculty member in the Division of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. • Bui Tan Yen, PhD is the Science Officer of CCAFS program in Southeast Asia, based in Hanoi, Vietnam. He has 20 years experience in Agronomy, Geographic Information System and land use planning. • Leocadio S. Sebastian, PhD is the current regional program leader for CCAFS Southeast Asiawhere he leads the integration of CCAFS agenda into the regional agenda and national program in CCAFS focus countries. SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 5
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION 8 2. METHODOLOGY 9 3. SITUATION ANALYSIS 10 3.1 Geographic location 10 3.2 Demographics 11 3.3 Local Climatic Information 12 3.4 Natural Resource Utilisation 14 3.4.1 Land resources 14 3.4.2 Forest 16 3.4.3 Water resources 17 3.5 Production and Livelihood Systems 18 3.6 Food Security Status and Trends 19 3.7 Hazards and Vulnerability 21 3.8 Mitigation Measures 23 3.9 Climate Change Perception 24 3.10 Institutional Landscape and Governance 24 3.11 Current and Past Natural Resource Management Initiatives 26 3.11.1 Forestry 26 3.11.2 Water resource 26 3.11.3 Past and current status of NRM in Ekxang village 26 3.12 Organizational Landscape 27 3.12.1 Natural resources management 27 3.12.2 Food security, disaster risk response and prevention 28 3.12.3 Activities related to climate change 28 3.12.4 Stakeholders 28 3.13 Information Networks 31 3.14 Social and Gender Differentiation 31 3.15 Health/Nutrition Profiles and other Livelihood Outcomes 32 4. NEEDS ASSESSMENT 34 4.1 Strengths 34 4.2 Challenges 35 4.3 Priority Need 36 REFERENCES 38 Annex 40 6 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
List of Tables
Table 1. Total population in Vientiane Province per district and density per km2 11 Table 2. Commercial production in Phonhong District 19 Table 3. Plan and achievement of rice cultivation in Phonhong district 20 Table 4. Plan and achievement on vegetable crop production 20 Table 5. Plan and Achievement on Meat, fish and egg production 20 Table 6. Area of rain-fed rice fields damaged by flooding in Vientiane 21 Table 7. Past and current status of NRM in Ekxang village 26 Table 8. Key activities and organizations related to natural resources management, food security and climatic stress in Ekxang Village 30 Table 9. Number of staffs working in health centers and hospitals 33
List of Figures
Figure 1. Location of Ekxang village in the map of Laos 11 Figure 2. Percentage of population by age in Ekxang village 12 Figure 3. Average monthly temperature and average monthly rainfall for Phonhong district 2009-2014 13 Figure 4. Flow chart of climate information to villagers 14 Figure 5. Number of land lease/concession projects 14 Figure 6. Number of land lease/concession projects per district (top) and per sector (bottom) 15 Figure 7. Land use of Ekxang village in 2015 16 Figure 8. Current resources of Ekxang presented by the villagers during the CCAFS VBS 17 Figure 9. Land holding characteristic of Vientiane Province, 2011 18 Figure 10. Flooding duration in the lower part of Nam Ngum River Basin in 1995 22 Figure 11. Natural hazards and non-natural hazards in Vientiane Province 23 Figure 12. Government structure 25 Figure 13. Maternal Care Practices 32 Figure 14. Sanitation and Water in Vientiane Province 33 SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 7
Abbreviations
CSA Climate Smart Agriculture CC Climate Change CCAFS Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CSV Climate Smart Village CUSO Cuso International DAFO District Agriculture and Forestry Office DDMCC Department of Disaster Management and Climate Change DWR Department of Water Resources IWMI International Water Management Institute MDC Mekong Development Center NAFRI National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute NNRB Nam Ngum River Basin NGO Non-Government Organization OBS Organization Baseline Study VBS Village Baseline Study WREA Water Resources and Environment Administration 8 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
1. INTRODUCTION
The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is a strategic ten- year partnership between the CGIAR and Future Earth to help the developing world overcome the threats posed by a changing climate, to achieve food security, improve agriculture and livelihoods. In 2014, CCAFS South East Asia region began identifying and implementing Climate Smart Villages (CSVs). Six CSVs were selected in three countries: Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR. The objectives of CCAFS CSV is to increase the adaptive capacity of small-holder farmers in light of climate change effects, improve livelihoods by sustainably increasing productivity and resilience, mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), and enhance national food security and development goals.
The focus of this report is to present the results of the situation analysis and needs assessment (SANA) for the Ekxang CSV located in the Phonhong District, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR. The SANA was conducted in conjunction with, and to compliment other CCAFS studies in the Ekxang CSV including the village baseline study (VBS) and organizational baseline survey (OBS). The situation analysis is a broad and comprehensive review of information related to climate change, agriculture and food security. The needs assessment provides information to make decisions regarding key priorities, challenges, opportunities for CCAFS interventions. Both systematic analyses were conducted at provincial, district and CSV levels.
The purposes of the SANA are to: • Understand the broad context of climate change, agriculture and food security at provincial, district and village levels. • Be used as a guide to CCAFS project implementation. ›› Reveal key priorities, local attitudes and core issues for CCAFS planning. ›› Identify stakeholders (people, groups and institutions) that can influence on the outcomes of the project. ›› Aid in the design of an appropriate modality for introducing key interventions. ›› Identify capacity building needs for the community and project implementers. • Be used as a baseline to monitor and assess what kinds of changes have occurred throughout the CSV landscape and whether these changes are helping villages adapt to, and mitigate, climate change. SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 9
2. METHODOLOGY
The SANA for Ekxang CSV was conducted following the methods developed and provided by CCAFS (http://://ccafs.cgiar.org/). A list of topics for the SANA was drawn by a group of social scientist in a meeting during the planning workshop for the implementation of the CSV in July 2014. The list includes 15 topics with data needed at the provincial/district and village levels: Natural resource utilization, Organizational landscape, Information network, Mitigation measures, Production and livelihood systems (including markets), Current and past natural resource management initiatives, Food security status and trends, Demographics, Climate change perception, Institutional landscape and governance, Social and gender differentiation, Hazards and vulnerability, Local climatic information, Health and nutrition profile and other livelihood outcomes, and Stakeholders. Four topics were common with the Village Baseline Study: Natural resource utilization, Organizational landscape, Information network, and Mitigation measures.
For Ekxang, CCAFS activities were led by the International Water Management Institute. Members of the Lao CSV Team including representatives from IWMI, NAFRI, CUSO, MDC, DAFO and PAFO conducted focus group discussions, as part of the associated CCAFS village baseline study (VBS), and interviews with key informants including extension officers, farmers, and representatives of local organizations. Additional information, particularly at the provincial and district level, was collected through a comprehensive desk review of documents collected from different information sources: local statistics, government reports from relevant local organizations (NAFRI, PAFO, DAFO, MoNRE), and previous studies carried out by other international organizations.
For the baseline surveys, the teams in the six CCAFS sites were trained in September 2014 (Village Baseline Study-VBS, Organizational Baseline Survey - OBS and SANA) and in November 2014 (Household Baseline Study - HBS). Guide materials were given to the teams for reference.
With VBS and SANA as complementary activities, field data collection was conducted at the same time. The FGDs were conducted for VBS in Ekxang village from 19th to 21st November 2014 with participation of 90 villagers. FGDs were organized for men and women separately. Topics relevant to SANA that were collected during the FGD include on natural resource utilization, organizational landscape and information network. Additional information was collected from November to December 2014. A feedback seminar was held in the village with participation of villagers who had not participated in the FGDs as well as leaders from the province down to the village levels.
Data on institutional landscape was collected through a participatory group exercise where important organizations were listed and their involvement in the community identified. From the list, 9 most important organizations were selected by villager for interviews using the protocol set under the OBS. Detailed information is given in the site analysis report of Ekxang. 10 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
3. SITUATION ANALYSIS
3.1 GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
Vientiane province is located in the central part of Lao PDR. It is bordered by Laung Prabang province to the north, Vientiane Capital to the south, Xayabouly province to the west and Xiengkhouang province to the east. There are 13 districts in Vientiane Province with Phonhong being the major district. The Ekxang CSV is located in Phonhong District, situated approximately 55 kilometers north of Vientiane city, a short distance from Road No. 13 linking Vientiane to Luang Prabang Province. It’s located at an altitude of between 120 – 220 meters above sea level and is bordered by Viengkham District to the east; Phonthan Village, Phonhong District, to the north; Na Lao Village, Phonhong District, to the west; and Phon Sung Village and Tao Tan Village, Phonhong District, to the south.
Figure 1. Location of Ekxang village in the map of Laos SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 11
3.2 DEMOGRAPHICS
Vientiane province From 1995 to 2005, there was a significant movement of people from the more remote and poorer provinces to the main city centers. During this period, Vientiane Municipality grew in population by 10% and Vientiane Province by approximately 5%. This increase in population in the Vientiane Plains has water related implications in regard to the supply of water, wastewater treatment and the potential increased impacts from floods and droughts. In 2005, the population of Vientiane province was 409,906. The average household size was approximately 6 people, with larger household sizes tending to be in the more rural areas (DWR, 2008).
Table 1 presents the population characteristics for the all districts in Vientiane Province. Phonhong District has 59 villages (6 village groups) with a population 65,368, (33,458 women and 31,910 men). The population density is relatively high compared to other districts in the province (122 people per km2). Additionally, there is a variety of ethnic groups in the district: Lao Loum 49,889 (women 25,458), Khmu 3,733 (women 1,806), Hmong 11,634 (women 6,401) and foreigner 112 (women 35) (DAFO, 2014 c).
Table 1. Total population in Vientiane Province per district and density per km2 (DAFO, 2014 c).
District No. of No. of Population Density villages households Total Women per/km2 Kasy 51 7,860 37,168 18,791 10 Vangvieng 63 11,810 58,071 28,917 31 Met 33 4,563 21,505 10,457 4 Phaung 44 8,183 45,100 21,859 31 Hinherb 43 5,988 31,249 15,759 19 Keo-Oudon 26 4,006 19,652 10,043 35 Phonhong 59 12,854 68,505 34,288 122 Toulakhom 42 11,385 55,954 28,486 70 Viangkham 17 4,113 18,774 9,545 129 Phoun-xaysomboun - - 27,619 - 5 Hom+Longxan - - 26,907 - 11
Ekxang Village There are 1,386 people (800 women and 586 men) and three ethnic groups represented in Ekxang village. The majority are Lao Loum (1,212 people and 234 families), followed by Hmong (62 people and 12 families) and Khmu (6 people). Among the 637 female residents, 612 are Lao Loum, 22 are Hmong and 3 are Khmu. The majority of the village population (35%) is between 11 and 22 years old, the age of attending secondary and post graduate school (Figure 2). The population of working age (23 to 64) represents 35% of the village population, while elders over the age of 65 and children under the age of 10 represent 10% and 5%, respectively (Grant et al., 2015 a). 12 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
Figure 2. Percentage of population by age in Ekxang village (Grant et al., 2015 a).
3.3 LOCAL CLIMATIC INFORMATION
The climate of the Vientiane Province is largely tropical with a distinct wet season from June to October and dry season from November to May. In the hottest months of March and April, average temperatures range from 30°C to 38°C, depending on location and altitude of the province. Average monthly temperature and average total monthly rainfall from 2009 to 2014 in Phonhong district is displayed in Figure 3.
The data for Phonhong district is accessed via a weather station belonging to the Meteorology and Hydrology unit at the Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment (PoNRE). This information is shared between the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), PoNRE, MoNRE and is then sent to the Lao National Television and Lao National Radio (Figure 4). PoNRE send meteorology and hydrology observations every hour to DMH by phone and/or fax. DMH uses this information for forecasting which is then forwarded to the government cabinet office for approval and then sent to Lao National Television and Radio. These forecasts are disseminated to the public at 7:30, 12:20 and 19:20, via TV, and 6:30 and 19:30 via radio. SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 13
Figure 3. Average monthly temperature and average monthly rainfall for Phonhong district 2009-2014 (DHM, 2014).
Villagers in Ekxang CSV access weather information via the television and radio. They have access to local and international channels. Both the Laos and Thai channels are the most popular in the community because of the similarity of the languages and people’s familiarity with them. These channels provide various weather related information including temperature, rainfall, and extreme events such as flooding and drought, however it is not specific to Ekxang village. The farmers make use of this information to help them make decisions regarding agricultural activities and practices. For example, if it is forecast to rain farmers will likely delay planting and fertilizer/pesticide applications (Grant et al., 2015 a). 14 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
Forecasts Government Cabinet Office
Approval
Department of Meteorology Lao National Television Thai National Television and Hydrology (DMH) and National Radio and National Radio
Time schedule: Time schedule:
Send out ground weather TV: Mon-Sun: 7:20, TV: Mon-Sun: 20:15 12:20 and 19:20 observation information every hour Radio: Mon-Sun: 6:30 and 19:30 MoNRE PoNRE Ekxang Village
Figure 4. Flow chart of climate information to villagers
3.4 NATURAL RESOURCE UTILISATION
3.4.1 Land resources Vientiane province and Phonhong district have a total land area of 2,185,000 ha and 64,703.75 ha, respectively. The area of state land lease/concession in the entire province is 391,709 ha, of which 391,532 ha are land concessions and 177 ha are land leases. Phou Bia Mining Company Ltd. alone has conceded an area of 260,000 ha, equivalent to 66% of the total concession area in Vientiane Province (Nanhthavong et al, 2009).
The number of concession projects is ten times more than lease project (347 vs. 34) (Figure 5). Concession projects mainly focus on the agricultural sector while lease projects mainly focus on trade (markets), services (bus stations) or industrial (wood processing) sectors. Non-concession projects, which totaled 66, refer to plantations on private land, government research projects and infrastructure development projects Figure 5. Number of land lease/concession including the “Nam Lik Bridge Construction Project” in projects (Nanhthavong, et al, 2009) SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 15
Hinheub district and the “Vientiane-Hainheuang Agricultural Service Cooperation” in Phonhong district, a governmental agriculture research project in cooperation with Vietnam.
Land concessions and lease projects are classified into 10 sectors: agriculture, industry, agro-industry, mining, electricity, service, trade, tourism, communication and construction (Figure 6). 48% of the projects in Vientiane province are involved in the agricultural sector, of which most are rubber and agara-wood plantations. The second largest sector for land concession and lease projects is mining (23%) which is followed by the industrial sector (13%). The highest numbers of projects are located in Vengvieng district (45 projects) and Phonhong district (30 projects).
Figure 6. Number of land lease/concession projects per district (top) and per sector (bottom) (Nanhthavong, et al, 2009). 16 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
Ekxang village has a total area of 1,672.71 ha (Figure 7). Land for husbandry covers the largest area at 1,004.96 ha, followed by rice fields (400.55 ha), wetlands (12.64 ha), residential area (29.94 ha), roads (12.64 ha), the school (1.43 ha), and temple grounds (less than 0.4 ha).
Figure 7. Land use of Ekxang village in 2015.
3.4.2 Forest The two National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCA) in Vientiane Province are: 1) Phou Khao Kouay which covers 200,000 ha and spans three provinces (Vientiane, Vientiane capital and Bolikhamxay provinces) and 2) Pou Pha Nang which covers 70,000 ha spanning Vientiane province and Vientiane capital (DWR, 2008). The forest area in Phonhong District is 30,439.26 ha. Urban development and agricultural expansion have reduced the area has been declining due to (DAFO, 2014 c).
Most of the forested area in Ekxang is found in the western part of the village where the elevation is slightly higher. The village is covered with several varieties of trees and the largest forest patch is 191.69 ha. This land is privately owned but is used by villagers for collecting non-forest timber products including herbs, bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Ten years ago there was a community owned forest which was cut down for fuel wood, expansion of the residential area, and conversion to agriculture. Figure 8, shows the surrounding areas in Exang as mapped by villagers in Ekxang during a community mapping exercise. SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 17
Figure 8. Current resources of Ekxang presented by the villagers during the CCAFS VBS. (Grant et al., 2015 a).
3.4.3 Water resources Seventy percent of Vientiane province is located in the Num Ngum River Basin, which is the fourth largest river basin in Laos (DWR, 2008). It is also one of the largest food producing areas of the country and supports the largest irrigated area in Lao PDR (Lacombe et al., 2011). The major rivers flowing through the province include Nam Ngum, Nam Feuang, Nam Maed, and Nam Mi. They are all tributaries of the Mekong River and heavily used for irrigation, fishing, navigation, and hydropower (DRC, 2013).
Hydropower is a major contributor to the national economy. As of 2011, three hydropower dams were operating in the Nam Ngum River Basin: the Nam Ngum 1 dam, built in 1972, and the Nam Ngum 2 dam and the Nam Lik 1&2 dams completed in 2010 (Lacombe et al., 2011).
The two minor rivers in Ekxang are used by villagers for fishing and irrigation. The Hongdeng River runs through the village and the “Nam Ham” River flows around the outskirts, serving as a boundary for the village in the North-East (Figure 4). There are also several small ponds used for retaining water for irrigation. These ponds dry up during the dry season.
The villagers rely mostly on groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes. There are a large number of shallow (dug) wells in Ekxang, which reach depths of 4 to 10 meters. The walls of these wells are either lined with concrete, brick or are unlined. There are also at least five deep wells/boreholes, which reach depths of 18 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
up to about 40 meters. Even still, villagers often encounter water scarcity problems as many of these wells go dry in the dry season, especially in April and May. In 2011 and 2013, there was a prolonged period of drought, forcing many to deepen their wells by up to 9 meters (Grant et al., 2015a).
3.5 PRODUCTION AND LIVELIHOOD SYSTEMS
Two-thirds of the population of Vientiane province is dependent on agriculture as their main livelihood activity. Vientiane province is ideal for agricultural production for a variety of reasons: 1) easy access to roads (97% of the population has road access all year round), which increases access to services, education and markets; 2) access to irrigation (64% of people in the Num Ngum river basin has access to irrigation facilities); and 3) the average land holding size (2.6 ha/person) is marginally higher than the national average (2.4 ha/person) (Figure 9).
The main crop produced in Vientiane Province is rice (39.2%; in lowland, 41.5% in upland, and 19.3% in plateau) Total rice production in 2011 was 267,910 tons. Other major crops produced in the province are mango (34% of farming households ), coconut (27% of farming households ), tamarind (9.1% of farming households ), maize (8.3% of farming households ) and rubber plantation (3.4% of farming households) (WFP, 2013)
Figure 9. Land holding characteristic of Vientiane Province, 2011 (WFP, 2013).
In Phonhong District, 85% of the population’s major livelihood activity is agriculture, while the remaining 15% of the population work as small business owners, public servants, and factory workers. The per capita income in Phonhong district has been increasing in recent years because people have gained employment in factories, rubber plantations, and public service jobs. In 2014, the GDP of Phonhong District was 979 billion kip/year and per capita income was 1,824 USD/year, which increased from 959 USD/year since 2009 (DAFO, 2014c). SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 19
Table 2. Commercial production in Phonhong District (DAFO, 2014 c).
Crops and livestock Production (tons) 2011-2013 Rice 34,261.66 Sweet maize 2,178 Cassava (for factory) 51,711 Cassava (for consumption) 11,690 Long bean 4,979 Watermelon 2,097 Cows 5,360 Pigs 75,798
Approximately 70% of households in Ekxang village depend on agriculture for livelihood. The remaining 30% of households’ derived income from owning small business, working in the public service, and in factories. Most (about 85%) of these non-farming jobs are carried out by men in the community.
At least 70% of households are into rice cultivation (on an area totaling 230 ha). For the most part rice is produced during the rainy season in rotation with vegetables and/or watermelon during the dry season. Most households (90%) grow vegetables either for commercial purposes with greenhouses and irrigation systems or for household consumption in small vegetable gardens.. Vegetable production has increased dramatically in the past five years due to increased demand, high market prices, along with technical training and support from many organizations including DAFO, Phonesoung Agriculture Development Center and Oxfam. The production of livestock including cows, buffalo, duck, chicken, goat and pigs is also important part of Ekxang’s farming systems (Grant et al., 2015a).
3.6 FOOD SECURITY STATUS AND TRENDS
Food security in Vientiane province is relatively high compared to other provinces in Lao PDR. The province has a large productive area, , irrigation, capital is accessible, market/road is accessible, and high use of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds and two-wheel tractors are high (WFP, 2013). Poverty in the region is relatively low compared to more remote areas of Lao PDR. In Phonhong District, 40 households are considered poor, representing only 0.32 % of the all households (DAFO, 2014a).
The province has focused on rural development through the improvement of agriculture production. The Phonhong District Development Plan (2011-2015) aimed to increase agricultural production for both household consumption and for commercial purposes. From 2009 to 2014, land titles were provided to local farmers in order to help increase their access to loans and credit for agricultural investments.
The district has kept records on the production of rice, vegetables, meat, fish and eggs for household consumption during this time period (Tables 3, 4, and 5 below). The total production of rice for household consumption in the district has increased from 27,023 tons on 8,822 ha of land in 2010, to 37,000 tons on 20 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
9,200 ha in 2014. Similarly, household rice consumption from 2010 to 2014 increased from 480 kg/person/ year to 570kg/person/year. The total land area and production of vegetables for household consumption has also been steadily increasing throughout the district (DAFO, 2014 a).
Table 3. Plan and achievement of rice cultivation in Phonhong district
Year Plan Achievement Area (ha) Production Home Area (ha) Production Home (tons) consumption (tons) consumption kg/person/year kg/person/year 2010-2011 9,700 39,500 600 8,822 27,023 480 2011-2012 9,715 48,876 751 8,940 37,670 579 2012-2013 9,230 38,656 576 8,619 36,199 539 2013-2014 9,220 39,174 591 9,100 38,634 591 2014-2015 9,220 39,174 575 ~9,220 ~39,174 ~575 Source: DAFO, 2014 a
Table 4. Plan and achievement on vegetable crop production
Year Plan Achievement Area (ha) Production (tons) Area (ha) Production (tons) 2010-2011 1,200 10,800 1,646 12,572 2011-2012 1,500 13,500 2,084 25,010 2012-2013 1,902 16,348 2,791 32,486 2013-2014 1,592 10,875 3,157 36,435 2014-2015 2,633 23,689 3,025 36,729 Source: DAFO, 2014 a
Table 5. Plan and Achievement on Meat, fish and egg production
Year Plan Achievement Production (tons) Production (tons) Consumption (kg/person/year) 2010-2011 2,368 2,368 37.5 2011-2012 2,924 2,488 38.2 2012-2013 3.055 3,155.5 47.2 2013-2014 3,333 3,333 50.2 2014-2015 3,425.74 ~3,425.74 ~50.4 Source: DAFO, 2014 a
In Ekxang Village, during the focus group discussion during the VBS, participants classified village population into three different socio-economic groups: rich (5%), middle income (90%), and poor (5%).Poor villagers are those who are landless and find works as a labourer on other farms. The majority of the villagers have middile incomes and typically own land or rent, which is used to cultivate rice and other agricultural products. The rich villages owns a car, has a large area of land, has off-farm work such as government job or owns a business. SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 21
Participants to the focus group discusstion reported that , generally, no one is food insecure. The poor and landless can access food by fishing in nearby streams, and collecting non-forest timber products including bamboo shoots, herbs, vegetables and mushrooms in the forests, wetlands, rivers and rice fields (Grant et al., 2015 a). It was reported that the last time Ekxang village experienced a food criss was in 1966. Alarge flood negatively impacted food production, access and distribution throughout the entire region. During that time DAFO was responsible for distributing emergancy food aid to local villages (Grant et al. , 2015b).
3.7 HAZARDS AND VULNERABILITY
In Vientiane Province, floods frequently occur and have significant impacts on agriculture production and distribution. Table 6 shows the total area of rain-fed rice fields damaged by floods from 1996 to 2005 (MAF, 2005). Almost 70% of Vientiane Province falls within the Num Ngum River Basin. Flooding is a regular occurrence caused by water overflowing from the Nam Ngum River, the unregulated Nam Lik River, and the interaction with the waters of the Mekong River. Flooding results in great economic loss and negatively impacting on people’s livelihoods. Severe storms in 2007 resulted in a loss of 34,751 ha of rain fed rice and destroyed US$7 million of crops and US$10.4 million worth of livestock. Floods are also thought to bring disease outbreaks such as smallpox, malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery, dengue fever and pneumonia (DWR, 2008).
Table 6. Area of rain-fed rice fields damaged by flooding in Vientiane (Province (MAF, 2005).
Year Damage in hectare (ha) 1996 131 1997 3,400 1999 430 2000 350 2001 1,100 2002 761 2003 34 2004 1,140 2005 1,165
Participants of the focus group discussion held in Ekxang village on November, 2014, mentioned two major flooding events in 1995 and 1966 in the village. The losses from the 1995 flood amounted to more than US$10 million in Vientiane Plain and Num Ngum valley. Figure 9 below illustrates the duration of flooding in the lower part of the Num Ngum River Basin in 1995. Ekxang village was under water for 0.5 to 2 months during the 1995 flooding (DWR, 2008). 22 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
Figure 10. Flooding duration in the lower part of Nam Ngum River Basin in 1995 (WREA, 2008).
Vientianne Province was also found to be moderately at risk with earthquake and landslide (Figure 11) (WFP, 2013). One significant non-natural hazards is resettlement. Resettlement, as part of government rural development plans (e.g. the Kumban, cluster strategy) to make way for public and private development projects, has been ongoing since the early 1990s, impacting 7% of rural villages in Vientiane province over the past 10 years. The Kumban strategy encourages villages to cluster together in order to improve access to a variety of services such as water, electricity and roads. However, available research suggests that the impact of resettlement has been overwhelmingly negative in terms of health, food security and nutrition outcomes (SOGES, 2011). SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 23
Figure 11. Natural hazards and non-natural hazards in Vientiane Province (WFP, 2013)
3.8 MITIGATION MEASURES
Due to the low level of socioeconomic development, Lao PDR has been recognized as being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite being not a major contributor to climate change (via greenhouse gases). The government has therefore made climate change adaptation and mitigation a main priority with the objective of establishing a cross-cutting program for addressing the impact of climate change across four key sectors: agriculture, forestry, water resources and human health. Lao PDR has engaged in several climate change related activities at the national and international level: • In 1995 the government joined the global community by ratifying the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and completed its first greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory in 2000 • In 2003 joined the Kyoto Protocol • In 2008 established the National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) and the Technical Working Group (TWG) • In 2009 the country released the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) • In 2010 the country released the National Strategy on Climate Change (NSCC) which focusing on mitigation and adaptation options in priority areas (agriculture and food security, forestry and land use change, water resources, energy and transport, industry, urban development and public health) • In 2012 the government of Laos embedded climate change issues into the National Environment Law (Last update issued on December 18, 2012) • The impacts of climate change in the region include increased temperature, altered rainfall patterns, and increased intensity and frequency of extreme events (including pest and disease outbreaks, flooding and droughts). All of these negatively impact on agriculture, fisheries, forestry, biodiversity, water resources, and other socioeconomic sectors. The government is currently implementing the following initiatives that compliment climate change initiatives: 1) Implementing the Natural Disaster Mitigation Strategic Plan ; 2) Issued the Environmental Strategic Plan 2020; 3) Policy on Sustainable Hydropower Dam Development; 4) Decree on Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (2010); 5) Water Law (1996); and 6) Forestry Law (1996)
24 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
At the village level, locals are aware of climate change through extension officers, radio and TV stations. They perceived that climate change caused rising r temperatures; longer dry seasons; delayed rains; and the disappearance of the morning fog. They also believed that these changes will worsen with time and will negatively affect the overall production of agriculture production. During the focus group discussion with women and men of in Ekxang, the participants shared their belief that climate change is caused by deforestation and the burning of waste locally. To mitigate climate change, they suggested planting more trees, prevent deforestation and to stop burning their rice fields (Grant et al., 2015 a).
3.9 CLIMATE CHANGE PERCEPTION
Laos PDR has been recognized as one of the countries that is most vulnerable to climate change impact due to its particularly high dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources and its low adaptive capacity. Climate change is expected to bring about higher more rainfall during the rainy season and higher temperatures during the dry season. These changes are likely to affect to agriculture production and a large proportion of the population who depend on agriculture and natural resources (DDMCC, 2013). The government of Lao PDR recognized the importance of addressing climate change by identifying seven priority areas for adaptation and mitigation in its National Steering Committee on Climate Change; agriculture, forestry, water resources, energy and transport, industry, public health and urban development (Sengchandala, 2010).
Villagers in Ekxang were invited to talk about their perceptions of climate change during the focus group discussions in November 2014. Participants claimed that ‘climate change’ in the region has occurred over the past five years. The manifestations of climate change include higher temperatures, delayed rainy season, more intense and prolonged dry season, lack of fog, and the desiccation of water bodies. According to the villagers, these impacts of climate change are likely to worsen in the future and negatively affect all types of agriculture production (Grant et al., 2015 a).
3.10 INSTITUTIONAL LANDSCAPE AND GOVERNANCE
Laos’ political administration consists of three parallel systems: the National Assembly, Ministries and Judicial bodies. Of the 21 Ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is directly responsible on agriculture and forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) is more focused on the environment and natural resources management such as land management, water resources management and climate. They are both represented at the district and provincial levels. MAF representations at the provincial level are the Provincial of Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO) and at the district level the District of Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO). Similarly for MoNRE there is PoNRE and DoNRE. PoNRE works as a coordinator to provide technical knowledge to officers in the province and district which consist of 10 main areas: 1) Planning and cooperation, 2) Land management, 3) Mining management, 4) Water resources management, 5) Forest protection, 6) Environment restoration and protection, 7) Biodiversity, 8) Natural disasters management, 9) Climate change, 10) Meteorology and hydrology (PoNRE, 2014) SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 25
At the village level, there is a village leader, sub-chief, elder association, women’s union, youth union, security and trade union. Figure 12 identified the organizations present in the village and their relationship. These organizations generally participate in all activities related to the development and management of the village.
The main contact for the village authorities are the village chief, Mr. Mon, and deputy chief, Ms. Jon. They provide leadership in the community and work together with other community groups when planning a community event, meeting or activity. Elections for these positions are held every five years with the next election scheduled in December, 2015 (Grant et al., 2015 b).
Lao National Assembly Ministries Judiciary Body
MAF MoNRE NGOs National Level
PAFO PoNRE NGOs DAFO DoNRE
District and Provincial Level
Ekxang Village
Middlemen Village leader
Elder Association Trade Union Women’s Union Youth Union Security village
Community Level
Figure 12. Government structure (Vientiane Times, 2014 and Grant et al., 2015 b) 26 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
3.11 CURRENT AND PAST NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES
3.11.1 Forestry Most forestry management initiatives in Vientiane Province are carried out through the Agriculture and Forestry Development Plan 2011-2015 and the Forestry Strategy 2020. The Agriculture and Forestry Development Plan aims to stop shifting cultivation (i.e. slash and burn) and increase the sustainability of agriculture production through the creation of laws, policies and the work of extension officers in the region. The Province has 231,846 ha of reforestation areas and 27,716 ha of agro biodiversity protection zones and plans to eliminate the production of rubber in Phoukhaokhouay and PhoPhanang National Protected Areas. The Forest Strategy 2020 aims to increase forest cover in Lao PDR to 70% of the total land area, up from the existing 43.3% (Ketphanh, 2014). Vientiane province aims to contribute to this strategy by increasing the protection and conservation of forest, better manage productive forests, and increase reforestation efforts.
3.11.2 Water resource Water resources represent a valuable natural resource that enables development through the construction of irrigation schemes and hydropower dams. Most of Vientiane Province is located in the Nam Ngum River Basin which is one of the largest food producing areas of the country and supports the largest irrigated area in Lao PDR. Although the development of irrigation schemes has slowed since the 2000s, due to poor maintenance and restrictive operational costs, there are still a few projects planned. Hydropower is a major contributor to the national economy and thus directly competes with the agricultural sector for water allocation. As of 2011, three hydropower dams were operating in the Nam Nugm River Basin: the Nam Ngum 1 dam, built in 1972, the Nam Ngum 2 dam and the Nam Lik 1&2 dams completed in 2010. (Lacombe et al., 2011)
3.11.3 Past and current status of NRM in Ekxang village
Table 7. Past and current status of NRM in Ekxang village
Natural resources Past situation Current initiatives (2014) Forest Forested areas were dense and cover Local organizations prevent the large and extensive areas. However, cutting down of large trees within the urban development and the expansion of community. agricultural lands in the 1980s resulted in deforestation. Water Resources About 30 years ago a small concrete dam was - IWMI/DOI currently implementing a built by a Korean development organization research trial on the use of community on a small river in the village neighboring managed wells for dry season Ekxang. It is still being used today for irrigation irrigation. Cropland - Machinery, fertilizers and pesticides, and - Currently, organizations are irrigation was brought into the community promoting the sustainable which boosted agricultural production. development of agriculture (e.g. organic production methods) SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 27
Table 7 shows the current initiatives on natural resource management in Ekxang village. These include: 1) prevention of the tree cutting within the community; 2) implementation of community-managed wells for dry season irrigation; and, 3) promotion of sustainable development of agriculture.
3.12 ORGANIZATIONAL LANDSCAPE
The information presented in Tables 8 and 9 summarizes the key activities of organizations related to: (1) natural resources management, (2) food security, disaster risk response and prevention, and (3) climate change adaptation and mitigation activities, at province, district and village levels.
3.12.1 Natural resources management PoNRE is the main office responsible for natural resource management in Vientiane Province. However, most natural resource management and socio-economic development occurring in the province is accomplished via the Nam Nugm River Basin Management Council (NNRBMC). The NNRBMC is under the responsibility of various central ministries and line agencies at the provincial level. Provincial department such as Agriculture and Forestry, Energy and Mines, Public Works and Transportation, Water Resources and Environment have responsibilities for developing and managing water for their sectors. There are some coordination between these departments through the provincial planning departments and the provincial environment committee.
In Phonhong District, DAFO is the main office reponsible for natural resource management. They are local experts in their field and thus often collaborate with various organizations including NGOs, government departments and the private sector on a variety of natural resource management projects taking place in the district. Organizations including Phonsoung Agriculture Development Center, Oxfam International, IWMI, and Care International work in conjunction and with the assistance of DAFO extention officers. One of DAFO’s major priorities is forest concervation and reforestation. For example, on ‘National Tree Planting Day’ (June 1st) DAFO plays an important role encouraging reforestation by distributing tree seedlings for locals to plant in Phonhong District.
There are a number of local organizations actively managing and protecting natural resources in Ekxang village. Community groups such as the village elders association, the village authorities and the Women’s Union, are deeply involved in the management, development, and dissemination of information related to all natural resources in the community. Representatives from these groups are typically consulted by and work together with non-local organizations working with natural resources in the community such as JICA, IWMI, Oxfam International, Phonsoung Agriculture Development Center, DAFO and PAFO. The objectives of these non-local organizations focus on the wide spread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices which reduce environmental pollution including organic production, composting, integrated farming systems, crop diversification, and water resource management. 28 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
3.12.2 Food security, disaster risk response and prevention PAFO and DAFO are the government offices responsible for agriculture and food security in the provincial and district levels, respectively. They work in collaboration with local community organizations and with international organizations working with agriculture and food security in the region. Through extension work, the creation of farmers groups, and the dissemination of information, DAFO and PAFO help improve agriculture production and increase food security. Extension workers provide training on various improved agriculture production techniques such as organic production, integrated pest management, soil fertility management, and livestock disease prevention/vaccinations which help local farmers reduce agricultural losses, increase production, diversify products, and increase incomes. They have a strong network of local agricultural stakeholders including farmers groups, government officers, traders, and exporters which is used to improve market access and prices for local farmers. One major project currently being carried out through PAFO is “One District, One Product (ODOP)”, which promotes the production of a specific and specialized local product (such as ginger tea or aromatic rice) from one district to be labeled and sold to a larger market. The specialty product of Phonhong district is “Aromatic Jasmine Rice” (Grant et al., 2015 b). PAFO and DAFO are also important organizations for preventing and responding to the livelihood impact of natural disasters in the region. Droughts and flooding both frequently occur in parts of the Vientiane Plains that impact on food security. PAFO and DAFO prevent and/or reduce the damages of flooding to local farmers by helping cropland preparation, building ridges and digging canals to help control water. To prepare farmers for droughts, DAFO and PAFO staffs encourage the adoption of drought tolerant varieties, give training on soil-water conservation techniques, and help develop local irrigation systems. In the event that these natural disasters lead to a food crisis, DAFO and PAFO are responsible for distributing emergency food relief to local villages with manual labor from the Youth Union. The last time Ekxang village experienced a food crisis was when a large flooding event impacted food production, access and distribution throughout the entire province in 1966. (Grant et al., 2015 b).
3.12.3 Activities related to climate change There are no major climate change specific programs currently being implemented in Vientiane province. However, most projects, strategies and policies related to agriculture, food security, natural resource management and improved livelihoods inherently incorporate climate change mitigation or adaptation measures into their operations (Sengchandala, 2010). With regard to mitigation measures, DAFO often advises farmers to stop burning rice husks after harvest in order to improve soil quality and reduce the emissions of GHGs to the atmosphere (Grant et al., 2015 b). Similarly, projects that conserve and protect forests for the goal of maintaining biodiversity inherently contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. With regard to adaptation, all projects that increase the ability of farmers to cope with the impacts of climate change including the development of irrigation, use of improved crop varieties, and the diversification of livelihood strategies, inherently address climate change adaptation.
3.12.4 Stakeholders The stakeholders related to agriculture, forestry and climate change mitigation and adaption activities in Vientiane Province and Ekxang village (Table 5) can be grouped as follows: • Government: The prefectures office/governance cabinet office at provincial, district and commune levels is responsible for general administration and oversight of all potential projects. Their role is SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 29
to receive and disseminate internal-external information and implement strategies, policies and regulations via its specific departments. The PAFO and DAFO is a focal point for implementing projects related to agriculture, forestry, natural resources and environment management in Vientiane Province and Phonhong District, respectively. They are integral to project implementation as they have the local knowledge and strong connections with the other various stakeholders in the region (including other government departments, NGOs, farmers groups, private investors, and local authorities). • Civil society organizations: The Lao Trade Union, Women’s Union and Youth Union are civil society organizations at all level of the Lao PDR administration. The key role of Lao Trade Union is to protect the rights and benefits of workers, to train workers and to contribute to state and social development. The Women’s Union aims to empower women, increase their participation in decision-making at all levels, and promote women rights. The Youth Union is tasked to protect youth rights and may provide emergency help during natural disasters such as help villagers to move belongings and help the organization to distribute food and transport it to village. At the community level, there is the Elders Association and the Village Authorities which are highly respected and are often involved in the community planning and development. Other informal community groups related to agriculture production include Farmers Associations, Organic Vegetable Producers Group, Greenhouse Group, and the Village Savings Group (Grant et al., 2015a,b). • International Non-Government Organization (INGOs): Lao PDR remains as one of the poorest countries in South East Asia and ranks 133 out of 177 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. The government has set a goal to graduate from “least-developed country” status by 2020 and NGOs have a mandate to help Lao PDR achieve the goal. In Vientiane province, international NGOs play an important role supporting project implementation and building local capacity. For example, Oxfam International was responsible for the formation of Phonsoung Agriculture Development Center that helps villages in Vientiane province sustainably develop and improve their agriculture production. From 1993 to 2013, Oxfam built up the organization through funding and the training of local staff. Now, Phonesoung Agriculture Development Center is an independent local governmental organizations operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Other NGOs working in the province include Care International (livestock vaccination program), Asian Development Bank (Capacity Enhancement for Coping with Climate Change in Nam Po, Vientiane Province. in collaboration of the Department of National Disaster Management and Climate Change and the Department of Water Resources), and IWMI (Enhancing the productivity of rain-fed systems through the sustainable development of groundwater) (Grant et al., 2015 a and b). • Private sector: Land concessions, leases and foreign investors in various sectors including agriculture, forestry, mining, and hydropower are common in Vientiane Province (Nanhthavong, et al, 2009). This poses both opportunities and challenges for farmers in the area. Villagers in Ekxang described that foreign investors such as the rubber plantation in the neighboring community create jobs for villagers, improve local infrastructure and help develop the local economy. On the other hand, if these land concessions are not monitored and regulated closely they have the potential to negatively impact the locals who depend on the land for their livelihoods (Grant et al., 2015 a). 30 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
Table 8. Key activities and organizations related to natural resources management, food security and climatic stress in Ekxang Village (Grant et al., 2015 b).
Organization name Natural resource Food security; disaster risk Activities related to climate management activity response and prevention change adaptation and mitigation Community Level Village Authority - Coordinating between - Coordinating between - Disseminating a variety project and local villageers project and local village of information to the - Disseminating a variety - Disseminating a variety community members of information to the of information to the community members community members The Village Elders Provide guidance to the Provide guidance to the Association/Renting community such as land use community Community Land Provide loans Group Village Security Group - Ensure pesticides/ - Help minimize livestock herbicides/ fertilizers are theft. not leading to pollution or misuse Women’s Union - Disseminating information - Empower women and encourage them to actively participate in community meeting - Create saving group and provide loans Greenhouse Group - Promote growing organic - Help small holder farmers - Training on use of vegetables which reduced increase agricultural greenhouses for minimizing environmental impacts production and improve impacts of weather on livelihoods agriculture production District/Provincial Level Phonesoung - Provide training and - Disseminate and collect - Promote sustainable Agriculture information on integrated information for the and improved agriculture Development Center pest management agriculture and forestry production techniques (Supported by Oxfam) sectors - Provides technical training, workshops - Establish farmers group DAFO/PAFO - Coordinate and also provide - Provide technical - Forest conservation and technical knowledge on NRM knowledge and information reforestation - Forestry to local village - Promote sustainable - Provide a cropping and improved agriculture calendar to farmers production techniques (i.e. stop burning rice husks).
International level IWMI - Improve water resource - Enhance irrigation through - Promote use of management sustainable groundwater groundwater irrigation for use increasing the adaptive - Build local capacity capacity of farmers to climate through training and change. institutional enhancement. JICA - First organization to provide community wells - Built school sanitation system SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 31
3.13 INFORMATION NETWORKS
Telecommunications are based on a network of telephone lines and radio telephone communication infrastructure. Although radio use is still popular, the majority of people access information via the television. There are 17 provincial stations operating with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the government-operated stations in Vientiane. Foreign channels are also available, but the Thai and Lao channels are preferred due to the similarities between the Thai and Lao languages.
In Vientiane province, mobile communication is widely used, and the adoption of smart phones is slowly growing, particularly amongst the younger generations. Similarly, the use of the internet and social media tools including ‘Facebook” and ‘WhatsApp’ are becoming increasingly popular. There are 2G, 3G and 4G mobile capabilities in Vientiane province which operate through major companies including Lao Telecom, Unitel, and BeeLine.
3.14 SOCIAL AND GENDER DIFFERENTIATION
Equal rights and participation of women and men in economic, social and political spheres are supported by the Constitution, various national laws and policies, and international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The Lao Women’s Union (LWU) is mandated to represent women of all ethnic groups and to “protect women’s rights and interests”. The National Commission for the Advancement of Women (NCAW) was established in 2003 as the national focal agency for gender mainstreaming in development policies and programs. Between 1990 and 2010, the proportion of female members in the Lao National Assembly increased from 6% to 25%, and in 2002 a caucus was formed to further advance women. However, women still continue to struggle to participate on equal terms and in equal numbers (World Bank, 2012). There is a need to promote women’s participation and voice in the country by supporting women’s increased participation in decision-making at all levels.
Lao PDR’s 2009 Gender Mainstreaming Strategy for agriculture and forestry has six main priorities: 1) strengthening institutions for the advancement of women into the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and its related institutions and programs at all levels; 2) increasing the gender awareness and responsiveness of MAF staff at all levels; 3) integrating gender analysis and sex-disaggregated data/ information/statistics into the MAF planning cycle; 4) enhancing the qualifications, competencies and core skills of women within the MAF workforce so they can advance at all levels; 5) increasing rural women’s access to and control over resources and benefits; and 6) enhancing ties with the external constituencies that support the advancement of women in agriculture and forestry (World Bank, 2012).
In Phonhong District, gender differentiation can be seen within the agriculture sector. This point can be illustrated by the large proportion of males officers employed at DAFO compared to women. Out of 43 officers in DAFO only 18 are women, which is much lower compared to the health care sector that have more women employed than men. The Phonhong Health Administration Office has 32 officers (20 women) and in Phonhong District hospital total officers 46 (37 women) (DAFO, 2014 b). 32 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
In Ekxang village, most farming households maintain a traditional gender division of labor for crops and livestock. This is changing, however, in some areas with livelihood diversification and increased out- migration of men. Traditionally, women tend to collect NTFPs such as bamboo shoots, roots, wild vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, nuts, honey and insects while men are responsible for the “hard labor” such as plowing, constructing beds, and carrying the products after harvest. Women are typically responsible for household chores including cleaning, cooking, taking care of the household garden and children. With increased education, men in Ekxang village are beginning to work in non-farming jobs such as civil servants. There are a total of 41 government employees in Ekxang village, however, only 7 of these are women (Grant et al., 2015 a).
3.15 HEALTH/NUTRITION PROFILES AND OTHER LIVELIHOOD OUTCOMES
Maternal and child health and nutrition are priority themes at all levels of health care in Lao PDR. Health care in Vientiane province has improved in the last decade due to enhanced health care facilities by the government and NGOs and provision of outreach programs for immunizations and nutrient supplements, particularly aimed at women and children (WFP, 2013). Maternal health care is relatively good in Vientiane Province when compared to the national level health care services. Figure 13 shows the percentage of pregnant women receiving maternal care in Vientiane Province and all of Lao PDR. In Vientiane Province, 74% of pregnant women received some form of antenatal care, 55.8% had an assisted delivery, and 53.3% delivered in a health care facility; all indicators were higher than the national average.
Figure 13. Maternal Care Practices (WFP, 2013)
Phonhong District has one hospital and two health care centers. . The hospital is located in the centre of the district and close to the main highway (Road No.13), which allows for more convenient access. One of the health care centers is located at ‘Km 52’ village and the other is in Phonxay village. Additionally, there SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 33
are 20 private clinics and 44 pharmacies. Table 9 shows the number of workers in the governmental health care facilities according to their level of education. There are very few health care workers with university education in these facilities.
Table 9. Number of staffs working in health centers and hospitals
Education level Health Hospital Health center Health center Total administration at Km 52 at Phonxay office Master 1 1 2 Bachelor 3 6 1 10 Diploma 1 1 Secondary 15 21 3 1 40 Primary 7 17 1 25 Contract project 1 1 staffs Contract office staff 1 2 3 Volunteer 2 6 1 1 10
Source: Discussion with Health Care Administration Office of Phonhong District, 2015.
Substantial progress has been made in the provision of sanitation and clean drinking in Vientiane province over the last decade. Figure 13 shows improvement in water and sanitation at the provincial level and national level: 88% of the population in Vientiane province makes use of improved sanitation measures, higher than the national average (65%) (WFP, 2013). Only three of the 59 villages in Phonhong District considered to be lacking sufficient sanitation. Nearly every household in Ekxang village has access to water and a toilet. Improved sanitation is also available in public areas. For example, in 1995 JICA constructed the local primary school and gave it access to clean water and improved sanitation. Additionally, the newly renovated village temple is also equipped with an improved water and sanitation system.
Figure 14. Sanitation and Water in Vientiane Province. (WFP, 2013) 34 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
4. NEEDS ASSESSMENT
4.1 STRENGTHS
The facilitating factors in Vientianne Province and the village include the following:
Water Resources Over 70% of Vientiane province falls within the Nam Ngum River Basin, which supports the largest irrigated area in Lao PDR (Lacombe et al., 2011). The diversion of water from Nam Ngum River and its tributaries for agricultural irrigation enables farmers in the region to grow rice during the rainy season and grow a range of high value crops such as watermelon, cucumber, mint, long bean and cassava during the dry season. In areas where surface irrigation is not feasible due to limited availability (i.e. Ekxang CSV), groundwater has the potential to offer an alternative source for irrigation (Grant et al., 2015 a).
Market and road access The location of Vientiane province and Ekxang village facilitates agricultural development and trade. Vientiane province boarders Vientiane Capital province, which includes the largest (capital city) in Lao PDR with a high demand for agricultural products. The major highway connecting Luang Prabang to Vientiane Capital (Road 13 North) runs through the middle of the province and is located 3kms away from Ekxang village. Easy access to this road allows farmers to export their products to larger markets in the larger city centers and even to neighboring countries (i.e. Thailand). Road 13 North also encourages traders to visit the region. 89% of the villages in Vientiane province have access to a road all year around (WPF, 2013). The network of local roads enables villagers to distribute and sell their products to local markets within the province.
Forestry There is an opportunity for Vientiane Province to increase its forested area through increased conservation, active reforestation efforts, and better management. The relatively low population density and little urban development further facilitate the ability to increase forested area. There are two National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCA) in Vientiane Province (Phou Khao Kouay and Pou Pha Nang) which host a wide variety of flora and fauna. Many people depend on these resources for their livelihoods and food security. As a result, there is great interest at the national, provincial, district and village levels in conserving forests and increasing tree cover in the region. One project currently being carried out in Nam Nugm River Basin, aims to protect and restore forests for the purpose of improving water quality. Other projects aim, instead, at increasing forest cover through the expansion of agroforestry (i.e. coconut, tamarind and mango production).
Local partners Many locally based organizations have been operating in Vientiane Province and Ekxang Village for decades. They are highly respected by local community members and there is much we can learn from their previous work. PAFO and DAFO extension officers whom are responsible for agriculture and forestry sectors in the region have been working with local farmers since 1992. They are experts in their fields when it comes to the SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 35
local context of natural resource management and agricultural production. In addition, their large network of various stakeholders including farmers groups, other government departments, village authorities, NGOs and the private sector, is useful for the implementation all of CCAFS projects. Phonsoung Agriculture Development Center is also a strong local partner for CCAFS to engage with. They have been working with villages in Vientiane province, including Ekxang, on increasing agricultural production, diversifying farming systems, and promoting food processing since 1993. Within the Ekxang CSV are important community based organizations including the Women’s Union, Elder’s Union, village authorities and the Youth Union. These organizations can be used as a platform for communication between CCAFS and local villagers. Their interest and support during the CCAFS baseline study demonstrates their willingness to participate and take ownership of future interventions.
Tourism Vang Vieng district in Vientiane province is one of most popular tourist destinations in Laos. It is known for its mountains, rivers, hiking trail, zip lining and blue swimming lagoons. Additionally, agro-tourism is becoming increasingly popular where locals can visit a traditional Lao farm, pick their own food and learn how to cook. The tourism industry relies heavily on natural resources and is thus an incentive to conserve and protect them. The Num Ngum Reservoir is also a popular tourist destination in Vientiane Province and is relatively close to the capital city. Many people from Vientiane City spend their weekends swimming, boating and fishing in the reservoir. The development of ecotourism in both of these regions has increased the incomes, improved living conditions, and also led to an influx of migrants into the districts to operate hotels, tours and restaurants. There is potential to further develop agro and eco tourism as a means to increase agriculture, protect the environment and improve livelihoods in other parts of the province.
4.2 CHALLENGES
The challenges facing Vientianne Province are the following:
Agriculture infrastructure and technology Although agriculture production has steadily increased in Vientiane province, there is still minimal uses of technology for cultivation. Among farming households, 64% have access to irrigation facilities, 60% use fertilizers and 82% are using a two-wheel tractor (WFP, 2013). Technological and infrastructural development and improvements, particularly those aimed at helping rain-fed systems reduce their vulnerability to impacts of climate change, are required to improve agriculture production, food security and livelihoods in the province.
Climate variability and related disasters Vientiane Province experiences a rainy season from March to September and a dry season from October to February. During the dry season, temperatures are high and droughts occur. Farmers without access to irrigation suffer production losses while farmers with irrigation may be better able to cope. During the wet season, rainfall events can lead to severe flooding in the region, and an absence of good rains can delay the start of planning or cause crop losses (DWR, 2008 and Grant et al., 2015a). Depending on the size and duration of flooding, agriculture production can be reduced and infrastructure including canals, roads and 36 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
bridges, can be damaged. It is predicted that climate change in the region will include an exacerbation of extreme weather conditions; including increased rainfall during the rainy season and higher temperatures during the dry season. The ability of farmers to cope with extreme weather events depends on the ability of the government and other local organizations to effectively plan and prepare for future disasters (WTF, 2013).
Limited capacity of local partners Local partners, including DAFO, PAFO, DoNRE, PoNRE, and NAFRI, like many other local government organizations, are often overburdened, under staffed, and juggling many projects simultaneously. This limits their ability to work with CCAFS on a full time and regular basis, which will likely impact the ability of CCAFS to operate efficiently. Additional constraints for local partners include minimal English communication skills. As CCAFS is an international research program English tends to be the main language use for communicating at regional workshops, in emails, in guidelines, at meetings, and in reporting. Other limitations which hinder communication and the flow of information between CCAFS and local partners is the limited access/use of technology such as computers, email, laptops, GPSs, and the internet. For example, of the 40 DAFO employees, 2 have basic English communication skills, and 3 are able to communicate via email (Direct communication with DAFO, 2015). This limits the ability of our local partners to build capacity and carry out the project successfully.
4.3 PRIORITY NEED
The priority needs in Exang Village include the following: Raise CSA/CSV awareness at all levels of government • Increase education and knowledge of CSA and CSVs. • Promote the importance of CSA/CSV for poverty reduction and food security. • Produce and publish baseline study reports aimed at all levels and branches of government.
Build capacity of local partners • Build local staff capacity (including DAFO, PAFO, NAFRI and MoNRE) through training and research. • Support English classes for local staff to improve their ability to engage with international partner organizations. • Promote research activities that prioritize skill transfer to local staff and students. • Increase the use of technology by local organizations and staff which includes the provision of and access to equipment (e.g. computers, GPSs, email, internet, and data processing software) coupled with training.
Develop a sustainable irrigation supply • Strengthen the implementation of water resource management at the community scale with lower costs and greater ownership and involvement by farmers. • Increase yields through the development of irrigation systems for rain-fed agriculture and the improvement of current irrigation systems. • Provide training to farmers on water conservation methods and techniques. • Use participatory action research to identify water saving technologies and practices with farmers. SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 37
Increase production • Increase training and knowledge of farmers and local staff through participatory action research trails, workshops and farmer schools. • Support interventions in the CSV which further enhance with current national policies and local initiatives regarding climate change, agriculture and food security. • Provide training on climate smart technologies and practices. • Promote the production of crops and livestock which are more suitable for the region and its conditions. • Promote the adoption of improved varieties and breeds.
Diversify production • Promote integrated farming systems as a more sustainable and risk-adverse livelihood activity. • Gain knowledge on supply, demand, stakeholders and opportunities, through a value chain evaluation and market assessment. • Use knowledge gained from market research to identify new market opportunities for farmers. • Encourage the production of value-added products through training on food processing and the production of bio-extracts. • Facilitate the labeling of specialty products such as ODOP and GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certified to increase prices and reach new markets.
Strengthen farmer groups and empower civil society • Enable farmer to farmer learning through the support of local groups and associations. • Support the formation of model farms and field schools for facilitating social learning and engaging communities. • Use local farmer groups and associations as a unit to engage with during future CCAFS interventions. Not only does it fortify the current community organizational structure but can also be used to target the appropriate audience for CCAFS to engage with. • Empower farmers by facilitating collective bargaining though the formation of strategic farmers groups coupled with support from local organizations and the private sector.
Enhance natural resource management initiatives • Explore sustainable eco-tourism as an option for increasing income and as an incentive for the protection and conservation of natural resources. • Increase forest area through the support and expansion of current conservation, protection and reforestation efforts by local partners and communities. • Develop agro-forestry in the region as a means of increasing tree cover and generating income. 38 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
REFERENCES
DAFO. 2014 (a). Assessment of Agriculture and Forestry 5 year development plan 2011-2015 and the next 5 years plan 2016-2020. District Agriculture and Forestry Office, Phonhong District, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR. DAFO. 2014 (b). Assessment of implementing Labor and Social Protection Plan 2010-2014 and the next 5 years plan 2015-2019. District Agriculture and Forestry Office, Phonhong District, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR. DAFO. 2014 (c). Assessment of implementing on 5 years planning on rural development, poverty reduction and UXO and the next 5 years plan 2016-2020. District Agriculture and Forestry Office, Phonhong District, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR. DDMCC. 2013. Strengthening Community and Ecosystem Resilience Against Climate Change Impacts, Laos PDR: Case Study from field testing an operational framework for ecosystem-based adaptation. Department of Disaster Management and Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environm DMH. 2014. Meteorology and Hydrology Database. Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vientiane, Lao PDR. DWR. 2008. Nam Ngum River Basin Profile. Department of Water Resources, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Grant, A., Mienmany, S., Keophoxay, A., Khodyhotha, K., Phonevisay, S., Souvannaxayyavong, C., Toummavong, P., Chidvilaphone, S., Khamkhosy, N., Pavelic, P., Bouapao, L. and Thalongsengchanh, P. 2015 (b). Villages Baseline Study: Site Analysis Report for Ekxang Village, Lao PDR. CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Copenhagen, Denmark. Grant, A., Mienmany, S., Khodyhotha, K., Keophoxay, A., Phonevisay, S., Souvannaxayyavong, C., Toummavong, P., Chidvilaphone, S., Khamkhosy, N., Pavelic, P., Bouapao, L. and Thalongsengchanh, P. 2015 (b). Organizational Baseline Study for Ekxang Village, Lao PDR. CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Copenhagen, Denmark. Ketphanh, S. 2014. Forest in Laos. Forestry Research Center/National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Lacombe, G., Douangsavanh S , Thepphavong, B. , Hoanh, C.T., Bounvilay, B., Noble, A., Ongkeo O,, Johnston, R. and Phongpachith, C. 2011. Is there enough water in the Vientiane plain? A water balance assessment of the Lower Nam Ngum Basin. Project report prepared by IWMI for CSIRO - AusAID Research for Development Alliance under the project “Exploring Mekong Region Futures”. Vientiane, Laos: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). MAF. 2005. Annual Report on Agriculture and Forestry of Vientiane Province, Department of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR. SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 39
Maokhamphiou, B. 2014. Exang Village: Profile of a Community on the Vientiane Plains. International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Southeast Asia Office. MRC. 2009. Adaptation to climate change in the countries of the Lower Mekong Basin: Regional synthesis report. Mekong River Commission, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Nanthavong, V., O. Schoenweger, et al. 2009. Findings of the State Land Lease/Concession Inventory Project in the Pilot Province of Vientiane, Lao PDR. PoNRE. 2014. Assessment of implementing of 5 years planning on socio-economic development 2011- 2015 and the next 5 years plan 2016-2020. Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment of Vientiane Province, Lao PDR. Sengchandala., S. 2010. Climate Change Policy of Lao PDR. The 8th Workshop on GHG Inventories in Asia (WGIA8). SOGES. 2011. Resettlement in Laos, Final Report. Vientiane, Lao PDR: European Commission. VientianeTimes. 2011. Lao Government, The Leadership structure. World Bank. 2012. Country Gender Assessment for Lao PDR. ISBN: 978-92-9092-922-2. WFP. 2013. Food and Nutrition Security Alas of Lao PDR, World Food Program 40 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR
Annex
Guideline for desk review and key informant interview at provincial level
Topic Key information needed Suggested Method of Data Collection 1 Natural Resource Availability, access, utilization and stability of Desk review utilization natural resources Issues and actions (if any) being taken to address such issues; Drivers of change 2 Organizational Development partners/ organizations present Desk Review Landscape in the area and their activities, particularly on climate change, agriculture , and food security 3 Information Network Information available, shared KI (Find a KI who is Presence/operation of quad -media (radio, TV, knowledgeable on this, print, internet) probably the information Projects conducted in the area officer of the province, or head of the office)
4 Mitigation Measures Projects related to mitigation measures Desk Review 5 Production and Major and minor livelihood strategies Desk Review livelihood systems livelihood profiles and categories, (including markets) levels poverty 6 Current and past NRM Trends in changes in resource (land and water) Desk Review, KI initiatives use, pressures, forces driving the change in agriculture. 7 Experience with food shortage Desk Review; KI Food security status and Food security trend (10 years) trends Issues, drivers of change Past and current programs, projects and activities related to food security 8 Demographics Current Population, population density, Desk Review Population trend, Population growth rate, drivers of change 9 Institutional landscape Policies and other statutory issuances ; Local Desk review and Governance leadership and authority; historical trends; Issues, pressures, driving forces; interactions of institutions 10 Social and Gender Distribution of benefits and burdens between Desk Review, KI Differentiation men and women, households and other social division Access to education, health services, employment, and political position SITUATION ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT 41
Topic Key information needed Suggested Method of Data Collection 11 Hazards and History of natural disasters, shocks and stresses Desk Review vulnerability (what, year, impact, damage), Traditional coping strategies, Mechanisms normally available to target food assistance to the most vulnerable/ food insecure) during disasters Vulnerable population Vulnerable sectors 12 Local climatic Historical trend of rainfall, temperature Desk Review information pronounced seasons 13 Health/Nutrition Profiles Health Indicators (mortality, morbidity, mental Desk Review and other Livelihood health) Outcomes Nutrition indicators (under nutrition, stunting, wasting, etc) Projects on Health and nutrition (e.g. food supplementation, drinking water and sanitation, )
42 EKXANG VILLAGE, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PDR