SNV Bamboo Programme Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR
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SNV BAMBOO PROGRAMME Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR Prepared by Martin Greijmans, SNV Forest Products Advisor And Célia Hitzges, Consultant 2012 SNV BAMBOO PROGRAMME Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR Prepared by Martin Greijmans, SNV Forest Products Advisor And Célia Hitzges, Consultant 2012 Content Acronyms 2 Acknowledgments 3 Introduction 4 Why the Bamboo Sector? 6 SNV Approach and Concepts 9 Programme Objectives 14 Programme Interventions and Impacts 15 I – Government 17 Intervention 1: Sensitisation of Local Governments to the Potential of the 17 Bamboo Sector Intervention 2: Promotion of a Supportive Business Environment 20 Intervention 3: Building Capacity in Natural Resource Management 23 II – Communities 26 Intervention 1: Bamboo Producer Group Formation and Product Development 26 Intervention 2: Empowering Producers through the Emergence of Community Leaders 33 Intervention 3: Building Capacity in Natural Resource Management 35 III – Private Sector 37 Intervention 1: Strengthening Links with Producers and Collectors 37 Intervention 2: Business Skills Development and the Identification of New Markets 42 Intervention 3: The Promotion of Networking 46 Innovations 52 Conclusion 57 Main references 58 SNV Bamboo Programme: Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR 1 Acronyms BTA Bamboo Traders Association DAFO District Agriculture and Forestry Office DIC Department of Industry and Commerce DLMA District Land Management Authority EDC Enterprise and Development Consultants Company EU European Union FSC Forest Stewardship Council GDA Gender and Development Association GRET Professionals for Fair Development INGO International Non-Governmental Organisation ITECC Lao International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre Lao PDR Lao People’s Democratic Republic LCB Local Capacity Builder LDN Lao Development Network LFP Lao Farmer’s Product LHA Lao Handicraft Association LHF Lao Handicraft Festival LMA Land Management Authority LWU Lao Women’s Union MFM Micro Credit for Mothers MHP Maeying Houamchai Phatthana NAFRI National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NPA Non Profit Association NTFP Non-Timber Forest Products PAFO Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office PRF Poverty Reduction Fund REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation SUFORD Sustainable Forestry for Rural Development project TPPD Department of Trade Promotion and Product Development WWF World Wide Fund for Nature 1 USD = 8,000 LAK (kip), December 2011 2 SNV Bamboo Programme: Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR Acknowledgments This document aims to identify the key lessons learnt and achievements made by the SNV Bamboo Programme in Lao PDR. It has been developed with the support of many different people and organisations. We would like first to thank Souvanhpheng Phommasane, Non Timber Forest Products Senior Marketing Advisor, and Boualay Oudomvilay, Senior Business Advisor, for their invaluable advice and contributions. We are especially grateful to Ms Dalivanh Phutphong, Young Development Professional at the Lao Development Network, and Ms Thitsady Khehasathan, Young Development Professional at the Gender and Development Association, for their participation in collecting and reporting. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the following institutions: • The Gender and Development Association • The Enterprise and Development Consultants Company • Government agencies at district and provincial level in Houaphanh, Vientiane and Vientiane Capital: the Lao Women’s Union; the Land Management Authority; and the Department of Industry and Commerce. SNV Lao PDR SNV Bamboo Programme: Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR 3 Introduction SNV Lao PDR, in partnership with a wide range Since 2008, various efforts have been made of local and international partners, has been to document lessons learnt and case studies. working since 2008 on the development of the A range of presentations and publications bamboo value chain in Houaphanh Province and has been developed by the Bamboo Advisory Sangthong District, Vientiane Capital. In 2010, Team. However, documentation of experiences the SNV Bamboo Programme was scaled up to and results has not been carried out in a Luang Prabang and Vientiane Provinces. Since systematic manner. The present document then a diverse range of activities have been aims to organise and structure the lessons implemented including: learnt from the Bamboo Programme to make them available to a larger audience. • Raising awareness of the potential of the bamboo sector as a driving force for This document is based on a review of the poverty reduction. main existing literature on the SNV Bamboo Programme and on the bamboo sector in • Setting up producer groups and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao strengthening their organisational PDR). Primary data has also been collected management capacity and technical to document additional case studies. skills. Qualitative interviews with producers, traders, • Engaging with the private sector and government representatives and partners promoting the development of inclusive have been conducted in Sangthong District, business models. Vientiane Capital; Med and Xanakham • Working with the government sector to Districts, Vientiane Province; and in Viengxay improve business environments. and Xam Neua Districts, Houaphanh Province. • Promoting sustainable management of bamboo resources. 4 SNV Bamboo Programme: Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR Heaven Gate Pass Ha Giang Lai Chau Lao Cai Muang Thac Ba Lake Ou Tai R e d R Luang iv Lang Son CHINA e r Prabang Phongsali Dien BienHouaphanh Phu Province ProvinceSon La Mong Cai HANOI Luang Namtha Moc Chau Hai Phong Udom Xai Hoa Binh Ha Long Bay Huay Xai Xam Nua Luang Prabang Pak Beng Phonsavan Xayaboury VIETNAM Vang Vieng Gulf of Hainan VIENTIANE Tonkin Med District Vinh Pakxam Ha Tinh M ek o n g Ngang R Pass iv e Nong Khai r 0 50 km 100 km Thakhek Dong Hoi Xanakham Sangthong Cua Tung District Hoang Sa Arch District Xepon Quang Tri Savannakhet Khon Kaen Mukdahan Khe Sanh Hue Hai Van LAO PDR Pass Da Nang THAILAND East Sea Quang Nam Nakhon Ratchasima Pakxe Kon Tum Phnom Thbeng BANGKOK Meanchey Quy Nhon Boung Long Battambang Angkor Wat Siem Reap Tuy Hoa M Lake Sap e k o CAMBODIA n g Senmonorom R i v e r Nha Trang PHNOM PENH Cam Ranh Bay Kampong Prey Veng SNVSpeu Bamboo Programme: Approaches, Lessons and Innovations in Lao PDR 5 Ta Khmau Svay Rieng Takeo Sihanoukville Chau Doc Kampot HO CHI MINH CITY Long Xuyen Vinh Long My Tho Vung Tau Rach Gia Ben Tre Phu Quoc Island Tra Vinh Can Tho Gulf of Soc Trang Thailand Bac Lieu Ca Mau Con Dao Islands Truong Sa Arch Ca Mau Cape Why the Bamboo Sector? Bamboo: The Backbone of preserved food. In addition, bamboo is of Rural Daily Life in Lao PDR cultural significance and it is used as medicine and in the production of traditional instruments. Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) play a crucial role in the livelihood, culture and Promising Market traditions of Lao people. Rural households, Opportunities in the which form about 70%1 of the total population and mainly exist in remote mountainous Bamboo Sector areas, strongly depend on NTFPs for their daily The global bamboo industry is seeing a significant subsistence. Most products collected in the growth, which is expected to continue further. forest are directly consumed and do not enter The world bamboo market, led by China, is the cash economy. However, when there is a worth USD 7 billion per year. Traditional markets rice shortage, most NTFPs gathered are sold to such as handicrafts, traditional furniture and provide for household needs. The sale of NTFPs bamboo shoots account for almost 95% of the may account for more than a third of village world market by value. Emerging industries, cash income across the country, and over half particularly wood substitute-based markets (e.g. in forest-rich areas.2 NTFPs are therefore the flooring, panels and non-traditional furniture) offer most important safety net or coping strategy interesting potential for growth. They may begin for the rural poor in Lao PDR, especially to rival traditional markets and are expected to minority groups living in the uplands. claim about 45% of the total bamboo market over the medium term.3 Bamboo is often considered the most economically important NTFP for humans in The bamboo sector in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao terms of scale. Known in India as “the wood of PDR currently generates USD 261 million a year. the poor”, in China as “the friend of the people” The Mekong region is poised to capture a greater or as the “brother” in Vietnam, bamboo is a share of the world market in coming years. It is multipurpose material. In Lao PDR, bamboo estimated that within 10 years, Mekong bamboo poles are used for construction and handicrafts will be worth between USD 0.6 and 1.2 billion.4 but can also be processed into other useful Lao PDR has opened its boundaries to the market products such as farm implements, fencing, economy and promotes itself as a “land-linked” chopsticks, skewers and fishing gear. Bamboo country, emphasising its potential role as a trade is also an important source of food for rural crossroads between China and Southeast Asia. people. The shoots of many species are edible. This proximity to larger and growing economies is They can be found year-round across the likely to create important growth opportunities for country and are popular in both