Slash-And-Burn Rice Systems in the Hills of Northern Lao Pdr: Description, Challenges, and Opportunities
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SLASH-AND-BURN RICE SYSTEMS IN THE HILLS OF NORTHERN LAO PDR: DESCRIPTION, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES W. RODER 2001 IRRI INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was established in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations with the help and approval of the Government of the Philippines. Today IRRI is one of the 16 nonprofit in- ternational research centers supported by the Consultative Group on Inter- national Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The CGIAR is sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). the United Na- tions Development Programme (UNDP). and the United Nations Environ- ment Programme (UNEP). Its membership comprises donor countries. international and regional organizations, and private foundations. As listed in its most recent Corporate Report. IRRI receives support. through the COIAR, from donors such as UNDP. World Bank. European Union. Asian Development Bank. International Fund for Agricultural Development (WAD). Rockefeller Foundation. and the international aid agencies of the following governments: Australia. Belgium. Brazil. Canada. People’s Republic of China. Denmark. France. Germany, India. Indonesia. Islamic Republic of Iran. Japan, Republic of Korea. Mexico, The Nether- lands. Norway. Peru, Philippines. Spain. Sweden. Switzerland. Thailand. United Kingdom. and United States. The responsibility for this publication rests with the International Rice Research Institute. Copyright International Rice Research Institute 2000 Mailing address: DAPO Box 7777. Metro Manila. Philippines Phone: (63-2) 845-0563, 844-3351 to 53 Fax: (63-2) 891-1292. 845-0606 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.cgiar.org.irri Riceweb: http://wwwsiceweb.org Riceworld: http://wwwsiceworld.org Courier address: Suite 1099. Pacific Bank Building 6776 Ayala Avenue, Makati Metro Manila. Philippines Tel. (63-2) 891-1236. 891-1174.891-1258, 891-1303 Suggested citation: W Roden 2001. Slash-and-Bum Rice Systems in the Hills of Northern Lao PDR: Description. Challenges, and Opportunities. Los Baños (Philip- pines): International Rice Research institute. 201 p. Cover photo: The effects of slash-and-burn agriculture are readily evident to air travelers between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Lao PDR (Gene Hettel). Page layout: George R. Reyes ISBN 971-22-0153-8 ISSN 0117-8180 Contents Foreword v Acknowledgments vi introduction 1 The uplands of Lao PDR 3 Existing slash-and-burn practices and problems 9 and diversity in rice varieties Research methodology 23 Participatory research methodologies 23 Exploiting heterogeneity 23 Measurements for soil movements 23 Minimizing plot-to-plot interactions 24 Vegetation measurements for weed, fallow 24 vegetation, or improved fallow Variation in parameters measured 24 Soil and soil fertility 19 Weed management and fallow vegetation 79 Weed and weed management during the rice crop 79 Fallow vegetation 79 Fallow improvement/management 117 Introduction and evaluation of potential species 117 Establishment 118 Effects on rice yield 118 Residue management 119 Alternative land use 167 Future directions 195 References 199 Foreword Over the past decade, the Lao-IRRI Rice Research and Training Project (LIRRTP) has been the principal source of capacity building and technological developments in the rice sector in Lao PDR. From a very low base in 1990, the project has helped develop a functional national rice research system involving more than 120 government officials and technicians. Research has been conducted in irrigated, rainfed lowland, and upland ecosystems. This publication focuses on efforts in the uplands. Despite significant progress in the uplands, several challenges remain. For example, research has to build on previous component technology research and identify technologies that move away from slash-and- burn shifting cultivation to more stable and more sustainable inte- grated production systems. Thus, whole-system considerations (e.g., markets and infrastructure) and agroforestry will be important elements. This document brings together much of the previous upland work completed in the LIRRTR We hope that this will form the basis for enhanced efficiency. William G Padolina Deputy Director General for Partnerships v Acknowledgments Working in the Lao upland environment was a tremendously interest- ing and rewarding experience. It not only provided me with an excellent chance to widen my professional expertise in tropical agriculture but also gave me ample opportunity to gain exposure to disciplines outside agronomy, such as socioeconomics and anthropol- ogy. This work was made possible through the institutional support of IRRI, the financial support of SDC, and the strong commitment and continuous support of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and the provin- cial agriculture governments. The provincial agriculture service in Luang Prabang was especially important as the upland component of the Lao-IRRI Project was implemented under its auspices. The support by the team leader of the Lao-IRRI project. John Schiller, is acknowledged. The friendship and undiminished support by the national director of the Lao-IRRJ Project. Viengsavanh Manivong, in spite of my sometimes unconventional needs and requests, ensured the stability and continuity of the research activi- ties. I owe special thanks to Suvit Pushpavesa, who knew all there was to know about rice and was there whenever advice was needed. Thanks are due to W. Leacock, who introduced me to research methodologies used in social sciences. Of the many colleagues with whom I had the opportunity to work and interact, I would especially like to mention Houmpheng Soukhaphonh, Somphet Phengchanh, Khouanheuane Vannalath, Boonchanh Chathapadith, Soulasith Maniphone, Boonthanh Keobonalapha, and Khamdok Songyikhangsuthor from Luang Prabang Agriculture Service, Somsamut Phongsavath from the Agriculture Service of Oudomxay Province, and Bouakham Phouaravanh from the National Agriculture Research Service. Most importantly, I have to thank the Lao upland farmers who worked with us and were always ready to share their knowledge and to answer our questions. vi Introduction Slash-and-bum agriculture is considered to be development efforts concentrated on lowland one of the oldest land-use systems (Spencer rice production systems, whereas the upland 1966). Although the practice has long disap- population has often been by-passed. Further- peared in temperate regions, it is still common in more, the wide diversity of biophysical and tropical and subtropical areas and is said to be socioeconomic environments provides a major practiced by at least 300 million people, involving challenge for the research and development up to 30% of the global exploitable soils (Warner process. 1991).Although production systems vary, most An in-depth understanding of the existing slash-and-bum farmers depend on perennials to production system is required to formulate suppress weeds and to restore soil fertility during recommendations for changes. Although the the fallow period. It is generally agreed that number of publications on slash-and-bum slash-and-burn systems are sustainable with long production systems generated over the past two fallows when the population densities are low. decades is considerable, quantitative data on soil, Traditional systems have low productivity per water, plant, and other biophysical factors of the unit area, but give high returns to labor, with low systems remain limited. It must also be empha- energy requirements. sized that long-term solutions to the problems In most countries, slash-and-bum agriculture faced by Lao slash-and-bum farmers cannot be has regional importance only, but for Lao PDR it found by focusing on their production system in is a major land-use practice involving more than isolation. The problem can only be solved by a 150,000 households or 25% of the rural popula- holistic approach that takes into consideration the tion (Lao PDR 1999). If all the fallow land is entire economy and social fabric of the country included, shifting cultivation may use upto 80% and its neighbors. Interdependencies and link- of the soils used for agriculture. Low population ages in the national economy, especially employ- densities, low incomes, and low access to inputs ment opportunities, market opportunities, access in the past made slash-and-burn agriculture the to social institutions, and rules regulating off-site best land-use option for the rural population in effects, need to be recognized and exploited to the hilly regions of the country. Today, increasing optimize benefits for the households that now population pressure, Increasing degradation of depend on slash-and-burn agriculture. the resource base, global awareness of off site In line with government priorities, the Lao- effects, and an increasing interdependence IRRI Project, in collaboration with the Lao between lowland and hill farmers have changed National Agriculture Service and the provincial the situation and demand a new approach. It is agriculture services, carried out a comprehensive thus not surprising that the government has given research program focusing on high priority to transforming this perceived Characterizing the production system and harmful system to other agricultural systems. environments Information on the production system and Collecting and characterizing traditional improved technologies available for extension are upland