ບດສົົົົ ງລວມກັັັັ ່່່່ ຽວກບຜະລັັັັ ດຕະພິິິິ ນຊັັັັ ວະນາໆີີີີ ພນກະສັັັັ ກິິິິ າໍໍໍໍ ຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ

Profile of Lao Agro-Biodiversity Products Nr.4: Crispy River Weed ໄຄ , ໄຄແຜ່ ນ

Draft, August 206

Vientiane, 19 August 1

Lao WomensUnion, Luang Prabang Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...... 1 . Botanical Characteristics of River Weed ...... 1 3. River weed in the eco-system ...... 3 3.1. Changes in Eco-system and Impacts on River Weed ...... 3 4. Distribution of River Weed and Crispy River Weed Production in Lao PDR, particularly in Luang Prabang Province ...... 4 4.1. Distribution of River Weed inLuang Phabang ...... 4 4.. Crispy River Weed production Resources ...... 4..1. Luang Prabang Province ...... 4... Houaphan Province ...... 13 4..3. Xiengkhouang Province ...... 13 4..4. Other provinces ...... 15 5. Crispy River Weed Production ...... 15 . Nutrition Data of River Weed ...... 18 7. Economic Estimation of Crispy River Weed Production ...... 8. Value Chain of Making, Processing and Marketing for CRW in Luang Prabang Province ...... 1 8.1. In Luang Prabang Province ...... 1 8.. In Xiengkouang province ...... 3 9. Opportunity, Threats and Challenges for Crispy River Weed Production ...... 5 9.1. Opportunity ...... 5 9.. Constrains and Chalenges ...... 7 9..1. Recommendations for the Crispy river weed production groups ...... 31 9... Recommendations for the involved private sector ...... 3 9..3. Recommendations for linking with the private sector organization ...... 3 9..4. Recommendations for the development organization support ...... 3 Annex 1 : References ...... 35 Annex : Village profile, Population and Experiences on Crispy river weed production process in 5 crw prodcution villages, Luang Prabang Province ...... 3 Annex 3 : Experiences and People’s Methodology of Crispy river weed production ...... 38

List of Data Tables Table 1: List of Rivers on which Raw River weed are collected by 5 villages for Crispy River Weed production in Luang Prabang Province ...... 4 Table : List of Villages Producing Crispy River Weed in Luang Prabang Province ...... Table 3: Proportion of Families Producing Crispy River weed versus Total number of Families of 5 in Luang Prabang Province ...... 7 Table 4: Profile of Crispy River Weed Production in 5 Villages in Luang Prabang Province...... 8 Table 5: List of Villages Participating TABI Activity on Using River weed for Production of Sustainable ...... 13 Table : Data on Outputs of Crispy River Weed of 9 Villages in districts of Xiengkhouang from December 14 to March 15 ...... 14 Table 7: Products quantity and number of families prepare CRW under TABI project in Xiengkouang in 14- 15 ...... 14 Table 8: Nutrition Value of River Weed ...... 19 Table 9: Production Cost and Net Profit of Crispy river Weed Production ...... Table 1: Average Income/family/year from Crispy river weed production of 4 villages in LPB province ..... 1 Table 11: Number of family, Quantity & Value of production/Selling Raw RW/CRW in 5 villages of LPB province ...... Table 1: Potentials and Opportunity for Crispy river weed production in 5 villages of LPB province ...... Table 13: Weak points and Constraints in the Crispy river weed production in Luang Prabang Province ..... 8 Table 14: Problems, Potentials and Causes related to Crispy river weed production 1 villages of LPB province ...... 9 Table 15: Pending issues or weak points in implementing the promotion activity on crispy river weed production in 9 villages of districts in Xiengkhouang province during the year 14-15...... 31 Table 1: Proposals on the needs of CRW in 1 villages in Luang Prabang Province for promotion of commercial CRW production...... 33

List of Figures Figure 1 : River weed of Cladophora family ...... Figure : River weed of Microspora and Spirogyra family ...... Figure 3: Map of location of villages collecting river weed, making crispy river weed in Houaphan province ...... 13 Figure 4: Crispy river weed products ...... 15 Figure 5: Steps in Production of crispy river weed ...... 18 Figure :The feature of crispy river weed produced in Phongsaly and Oudomxay provinces ...... 18 Figure 7: Chain value of raw river weed and Crispy river weed in Xiengkhouang province ...... 4

. Introduction The Lao PDR has plenty biodiversity of both terrestrial and aquatic ones. As for the aquatic biodiversity, river weed is an important biodiversity especially in eco-system, social and economic aspects. In the aquatic eco- system, river weed is a starting point of food cycle for the herbivores and small living things which then becomes food for the carnivore further. In addition, the river weed also has important function in producing vital oxygen for sustaining of big animals, small animals. River weed is also important for the society. River weed is food with high nutrient value and people can find it easily. People of many local areas used to have indigenous knowledge and have inherited it for many generations in preparing river weed as food in different methods and forms for their consumption. Among others, the people in some areas of Luang Prabang and Oudomxay Provinces historically have an outstanding unique in the society (LWU-LPB 15).

Up to now, beside it’s regarded as the high-value nutrition food; general people still can collect it from the natural sources for their family consumption. In some local areas, river weed has become the commercial goods which people bring it for sales in form of raw river weed and processed already, especially the crispy river weed which the market has high demand. The survey in 15 has found that production and supply of crispy river weed of one family in 5 villages of Luang Prabang Province in each production season brings the family income at average of million Kips (max. 38 million Kip and min. 1 million Kip/family per one production season) (LWU-LPB 15) while there are some restrictions in terms of surrounding conditions which resulted in low productivity of the crispy river weed producers, non-standard quality of products, including the limited quantity of production as most of producers rely on the availability of river weed in their own local area that is more and more rare. The decreasing amount of river weed is caused by human activities which led to changes in water flow and water quality, such as hydropower dam construction, extraction of river gravel and sand, including usage of chemical products increasingly more and more, particularly in the agriculture sector. All these activities do not only give negative impacts on the occurrence of river weed but on other living things within the eco-system as well (ICEM 1; Anonymous 11; Räsänen 14).

By seeing importance of the river weed which the villagers bring it to make crispy river weed under the support fund from SDC, TABI has gathered different data information either in aspect of botanical, data information, source of origin of the river weed, production techniques and processing, economic analysis, opportunity and challenges related to crispy river weed production to be compiled into this comprehensive profile of crispy river weed so that the technicians, extension workers, development workers as well as those people who are interested in river weed and crispy river weed can read and use it as reference of further implementation in order to intensify the commercial crispy river weed production as a family income generation and have constant vocations.

2. Botanical Characteristics of River Weed River weed is a kind of aquatic plant with chlorophyll which is green substance as its element, which its name is derived from this green river weed of this kind of plantation. The size of river weed is from (µm) to many meters (m) depended on its family. However, in this report only several families of river weed will be addressed, such as Cladophora, Microspora and Spirogyra which are mostly found in different rivers in the Lao PDR. (Vidal 195; Raven, Evert et al. ; Traichaiyaporn, Waraegsiri et al. ; Traichaiyaporn, Waraegsiri et al. 1). These 3 river weed families are green river weed in the family of Cladophoraceae , Microsporaceae and Zygnemataceae respectively can be found in both fresh water and salted water. As for the river weed of Cladophora family, there are 8 names of the accepted breeds out of the main breed name and intraspecific name which presently there are totally 1, names; for Microspora and Spirogyra families, there are 4 names that have been accepted and 51 names out of the main breeds and intraspecific name which presently exist in the database 34 and 85 names irrespectively (Guiry and Guiry 15).

1 All this, applying the scientific names is important for study of biodiversity as it helps to avoid confusion in communicating and exchanging information because, in some local areas, the same species of river weed may be called in different names, e.g. stone river weed, slippery river weed, gritty river weed (coarse river weed), silk river weed, sawdust river weed, chicken sponge river weed (Foppes 1). However, it’s noticeable that river weed names are locally called according to its physical manners, such as slippery river weed, coarsely river weed, gritty river weed (coarse river weed), etc., while these 3 main families found in the Lao PDR., if we look at them carefully we can see their differences, e.g. the river weed in Cladophora family will have its own characteristic, i.e. it breaks out 1 pair of sprigs, at the base part there is rhizoid and short branch to stick with sking surface, but the stem will spring branches straight upwards in form of viny branches with coarse skin. As for the Microspora and Spirogyra families, the have similar straight viny branches but lying of Chloroplast is different. Lying of Chloroplast of Spirogyra has spiral manner as shown in the picture (Raven, Evert et al. ).

Figure : River weed of Cladophora family

Microspora Spirogyra Figure 2: River weed of Microspora and Spirogyra family

River weed can propagate either in sex-based way or sexless way. The ecosystem appropriate for the river weed growth must be rocks underneath water body as the withholding objects with flow rate around 2 to 3 meters per second, turbidity is not more than 20 NTU (turbidity measuring unit), temperature in day time is in range of 18 to 28 Ċ, pH 6 to 8, quantity of nutrient is at low to medium level, particularly nitrate, ammonium, and soluble reactive phosphorus. So, the winter and dry season are the suitable seasons for the river weed growth as it is the period of time that the flow is not rapid and water is not turbid so much (Peerapornpisal, Makonkawkeyoon et al. 200).

For the growth of river weed in the Cladophora and Microspora families, it’s found that the physical factors give more effects than chemical ones, especially the light intensity, temperature and flow rate which give effects upon the growth of river weed in aspects of its quantity as well as its manners (e.g. long string, short

string). As for the chemical factors, a research work let us know that phosphorus substance is one of main factors that gives effects to the river weed growth of Cladophora family.

3. River weed in the eco-system River weed is an aquatic biodiversity that is important to the aquatic eco-system, that is 1) having duty to make oxygen through synthetizing the sunlight by using the elements of water Chlorophyll substance and CO ₂; 2) being the source of food for the herbivorous animals of big and small kinds, then, these animals become food of the carnivorous animals once more which makes the food chain happened, and 3) being the nursery of young aquatic animals. At the same time, we also found that the growth of river weed can be used as an index for measuring water quality. (Kunpradid and Leelahakriengkrai 2004). River weed has high nutrient value, helpful to make fertility of the eco-system of water resource, the high nutrition value of which can be seen from the growth of Pangasianodon gigas giant catfish (one of fresh water fish breeds of the largest size in the world) which eat river weed as food. The giant catfish is a fast- grow fish with the weight range from 150 to 200 Kg in only 6 years’ time. (Traichaiyaporn, Waraegsiri et al. 2006).

As the above-described rationale, river weed is considered as one element of aquatic biodiversity with importance to the eco-system balance which is required to be conserved and protected. Furthermore, we should make a research and study about it further in order to utilize it in other ways, such as processing as animal feed including the way how to utilize it in a sustainable manner.

3.1. Changes in Eco-system and Impacts on River Weed The first and foremost threat on river weed is caused by the human activities like dam construction, gold ore mining and extraction of river gravels and sand from the river bottom. These development activities make changes happened to the flow and quality of water current, especially water level and turbidity of current which are two key factors impacting directly on river weed growth (Räsänen 2014). Therefore, such human activities become the causes leading to loss of habitat for river weed, and when the river weed disappeared, there will be direct impacts on the aquatic animals relying on river weed as food for their growth and the villagers who bring river weed for processing as commercial products (including the places of fish catching for family consumption and for sales), particularly in dry season during which the river weed comes up, and this is the same period when the farmers are free from their farming work or shifting cultivation works. Moreover, the study of ICEM institute found that dam construction in Mekong River may cause risks to loss of many fish species (ICEM 2010). From the environment impact assessment by Räsänen related to dam construction on Mekong River revealed that the built-up dam will result in changes of river flow, i.e. the height of flow level in Mekong River will reduce (decrease), in contrary, the height of flow level in dry season will be higher than usual level. In the year when the research was being carried out, it was found that in dry season from December to May, the water level was increased by 34-155% while in wet season since July until September, water level reduced by 29-36%. The high water level and unusual turbidity in dry season resulting that there is no river weed coming up, so, the villagers lack the additional income as they don’t have river weed as raw material for making crispy river weed. In addition to dam construction, the secondary threat against river weed is the way of collection without its sustainability maintaining method, for example, excavating all of the stones from the river which river weed comes out from them and they hold river weed with them. This action destroys the environment of occurrence of river weed which makes availability of river weed gradually decreased. The third threat against river weed is changes in farming method from the traditional one to the intensive agriculture in which chemical fertilizer or herbicide is applied. These chemical products might give impacts against outcropping (coming up) of river weed (Foppes 2012).

3 4. Distribution of River Weed and Crispy River Weed Production in Lao PDR, particularly in Luang Prabang Province River weed is one item among aquatic biodiversity which outcrops in different water resources in the Lao PDR. Naturally, the river weed usually outcrops during October and April but depending on the eco-system and size of rivers or water resources in each locality, and the breeds found may not be the same, this also depends on eco-system of those rivers/ water resources. From the survey findings, most of the river weed found on the rivers in northern part of the Lao PDR is a mixed of 2 families of river weeds, they are Cladophora and Sprirogyre (Ajisaka 2009). The botanic information about these 2 families will be explained in the nest section.

As for the river weed in the Mekong River, Assoc. Dr.Sriphen Trichaiyaphorn and team reported that the Mekong river weed found in Bokeo province area is of Cladophora family, Glomerata Kutzing breed and Microspora family, Fluccose Thuret breed. The river weed of M. Fluccose breed is often found in deep water area while C. glomerata breed often found in low water area along river banks. However, these two breeds are found mixed cropping (coming up) in some areas (Traichaiyaporn, Waraegsiri et al. 2006; Traichaiyaporn, Waraegsiri et al. 2010). 4.1. Distribution of River Weed inLuang Phabang Based on the findings of survey carried out in 2015 by the provincial Lao Women Union of Luang Prabang Province it has been found that the local people of Luang Prabang Province collect (pick) river weed from the following 13 main rivers, they are Nam Khan, Nam Ou, Nam Bak, Nam Khong (Mekong), Nam Xeuang, Nam Mud, Nam Xeng, Nam Heub, Nam Eum, Nam Nga (Simounkhoun sub-district), Khaane, Nam Phark and Nam Kor (Oudomxay Province) as shown in Table 1. Mostly the village people like to collect river weed in the river or water resource closest to their village(s), but there are some villages that have to go to collect or to buy the river weed in other areas, especially in case that river weed did not outcrop (come up) in the river closest to their village(s). Table 1: List of Rivers on which Raw River weed are collected by 25 villages for Crispy River Weed production in Luang Prabang Province

Nam khanNam Ou Nam Bak Nam Namkhong Namxeuang Mud Nam Xeng Nam Heub Nam Nam Eum Nga Nam Nam Khaan Nam Phak Nam Kor Luang Prabang

1 Donkao x

2 Xienglome x

3 Noonsavath x

4 Phiknoy x x x x x X

5 Pha-Oh x

Chomphet

6 Muangkham x x x x x X x X x

7 Sanok x x x x x x X x

Ngoy

8 Sop-houn x

9 Pakbak x

10 Nongkhieo x

4

Nam khanNam OuNam BakNam Namkhong Namxeuang Mud Nam Xeng Nam Heub Nam NamEum Nga Nam NamKhaan NamPhak NamKor Nam Bak

11 Bom x x x x X x x X x x x

12 Phonxay x x x x x X x X

13 Fah x x x x x x

14 Nakhone x x

15 Lee x x x x x x

16 Nam Lah x x

Xieng Ngeun

17 Done Moh x

18 Pak Khan x

19 Xieng Ngeun x

20 Pak Vaed x

21 Mouth x

22 Souanluang x x

23 Long-Or x

24 Ensavanh x

Viengkham

25 Bouamvane x x

Data source : LWU, Luang Prabang Province , 2015

Map: Distribution of River Weed in Luang Prabang Province

5 4.2. Crispy River Weed production Resources Crispy river weed production is considered as an indigenous wisdom and nice heritage inherited through many generations. Nowadays, crispy river weed becomes an outstanding and famous product in many localities, especially in the northern part of the country where there is crispy river weed production in several provinces like Bokeo, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Xiengkhouang and Luang Prabang Provinces which will be described in the following paragraphs. 4.2.1. Luang Prabang Province Crispy river weed production in Luang Prabang Province is more predominant than other provinces; one reason is that, Luang Prabang Province has a bigger market for crispy river weed than other provinces, especially when production of crispy river weed has been linked to livelihood of citizens of Luang Prabang county town and the crispy river weed has become special product of Luang Prabang Province, either Laotian people or foreigners visiting Luang Prabang are interested to buy this kind of products as gifts for their relatives or friends (Sautier, Souphadthone et al. 2007). From the survey findings conducted by Luang Prabang provicial Lao Women Union in 2015, it’s found that some 85 villages of 8 districts across Luang Prabang Province producing crispy river weed, out of these, 59 villages mainly produce crispy river weed for their own families’ consumption while some 26 villages do this for commercial business as shown in the Table 2 and 3. Table 2: List of Villages Producing Crispy River Weed in Luang Prabang Province Production for Production for family Production for Production for family commercial business consumption commercial business consumption Luang Prabang Nam Bak Donkao Pak Xeuang Nam Lah Lee Pha -Oh Meuang Khai Fah Nakhone Noonsavath Ou Bom Phonsa -ard Phiknoy Paksy Phonxay villge

Xienglome Thinxom Ngoy Sing Nongkhieo Sop Khane

Xieng Ngeun Sop Houn Sop Kong Don Moh Souandala Pak Bak Meuang Ngoykao Pak Vaed Houay Yen Meuang Xeune

Moud Bouam -Or Chomphet Souanluang Samakkhyxay Mouangkham Xiengmene Long -Or Xieng Ngeun Sanok

Aensavanh Phakkhaane Viengkham Bouamvane Vangheung

Pak Ou Sae Viengkham Pha Theung Hardkhor Namxoy Sop -heuang Hard -Nha Khonekham

Hardmard Phonthong Vangxieng Pak Eum Vang Naek

Data source : LWU, Luang Prabang Province 2015

6 Table 3: Proportion of Families Producing Crispy River weed versus Total number of Families of 25 in Luang Prabang Province Number of Percentage of total Name of village TT. Number of families families producing number of families(%) Crispy river weed 1 Donkao 196 7 3.57 2 Xienglome 159 29 18 3 Noonsavath 122 34 28 4 Phiknoy 71 47 66 5 Pha-Oh 64 19 30 6 Mouangkham 106 21 19.81 7 Sanok 70 21 30 8 Bouamvanh 73 37 51 9 Sop Houn 92 10 11 10 Pak Bak 139 31 22 11 Nongkhieo 400 23 6 12 Bom 349 53 15.18 13 Nakhone 254 54 21 14 Nam Lah 143 9 6 15 Fah 209 17 8 16 Lee 119 43 36 17 Phonxay 192 40 21 18 Donmoh 214 21 9.8 19 Pak Khan 127 10 8 20 Xieng Ngeun 191 18 9 21 Pak Vaed 181 14 8 22 Moud 160 18 11 23 Souanluang 322 27 8 24 Long-Or 137 32 23 25 Aensavanh 100 28 28 Data source : LWU , Luang Prabang Province 2015

In addition, the survey has found that the crispy river weed production of the people in Luang Prabang Province is ancient indigenous knowledge which has been inherited by generations since the ancient time. In some villages, this has been practiced for at least 100 years. Making crispy river weed in the past time using different methods in processing river weed in order to preserve food only for family consumption, such as by making crispy sheet, grinding river weed, dry river weed. In around last 2o years, there has been increasing quantity of crispy river weed production and become commercial products that generate additional family income as per the profile of crispy river weed production of 25 villages in Luang Prabang Province shown in Table 4. As for detail information on the population, experience and method of crispy river weed production of the people in 21 target villages which Luang Prabang provincial Lao women union collected data information in 2015 is shown in Table 4 below.

7 Table 4: Profile of Crispy River Weed Production in 25 Villages in Luang Prabang Province Source of Raw materials (raw river weed) No. Name of village Background of Crispy river weed production Quantity produced Name of river River weed collecting location Key responsible person (sheet/day/fam.) Making crispy river weed for long time, inheriting works from ancestors Mekong river Waterfront at Pak Xeuang village Approx. 60 pcs Women is key responsible 1 Donkao for many generations to date. down-wards to Khone Dokboa, time person, helped by children used 15 min. Making crispy river weed for more than 20 years, maintain this work from Nam Khan Waterfront at their own village, time Approx. 50 -100 pcs. Husband & wife together 2 Xienglome parents’ generation. used 30 min. Making crispy river weed over tens of years, inheriting works from Nam Khan Collecting in water front at Approx. 50 -100 Pcs. Husbad & wife together 3 Noonsavath ancestors to date. own village Making crispy river weed for 20 year, initially just for family use, then Nam Khan, Nam Ou, Nam Bak, Collecting at waterfront of own village, Pprox. 50 -200 Pcs. Everyone in family help produced for sales more than 10 years. Mekong, Nam Xeuang and Nam Souanluang village, Pak Vaed village, each other 4 Phiknoy Mud Moud village, time used around 30 min. Making crispy river weed since establishment of village, initially just for Mekong river At waterfront of own village Approx. 50 -80 Pcs. Everyone in family help 5 Pha-Oh family food, later on produced for sales, to date more than 40 years. each other Making crispy river weed since parents’ generation, initially just for family Nam Ou, Nam Xeuang, Nam Xeng, Collecting at waterfront of Mouangkeo Approx. 120 -200 Psc. Everyone in family help food, later on produced for sales, to date about 60 years or so. Nam Nga, Nam Eum, Nam Mud, village to Khonedkboua, go by boat (to each other 6 Mouangkham Nam Bak, Mekong, Nam Khan. and from) takes about 30 min to 1 hour. Making crispy river weed about 60 years or so, initially just for family Nam Xeng, Nam Heub, Nam Eum, Collecting at waterfront downstream Approx. 100 -200 Pcs. Everyone in family help 7 Sanok food, and as gifts. Presntly produced for sales by sending to market in the Nam Ou, Nam Nga, Nam Xeuang, and upstream of own village (Mekong), each other province. Nam Bak and Mekong. time used about 40 min. Start producing crispy river weed in 2006 ; small -scale rural development Nam Xeng Collecting at waterfront of own village, Approx. 50 -90 Pcs. Everyone in family help project gave support for training 10 women in the village about making and at location with plenty of river each other crispy river weed ; then they gave training to other women. Initially, weed, time used for going to collection 8 Bouamvane produced for family food and using as gifts for visitors/ relatives. People about 1 hour. who have taste it told them that it’s delicious, then they produced for sales for 5 years already. Presently still continue to increase production for selling in market of district and send to LPB province market. Making crispy river weed for 20 years or so, for family food and gifts; in Nam Ou Hardtak, Hard Khihoun, Approx. 100 Pcs. Mostly women 2010, 3 women in the village joined a training supported by World Vision Hardphakuang, Hardxao and Hard Lee 9 Sop Houn organization. Nowadays they produced for selling in Nongkhieo market, around 5 Km away from village, time guesthouse and food shops in Ngoy district. used for going to collect about 1 hour or so. Making crispy river weed for more than 10 years for family food, gifts; in Nam Ou Collecting in waterfront at own village. Approx. 50 -100 Psc. Everyone in family help 2010, 3 women in the village joined a training supported by World Vision each other 10 Pak Bak organization. Nowadays they produced for selling in Nongkhieo market, guesthouse and food shops in Ngoy district and Luang Prabang. Start producing crispy river weed in 2003 for family food and gifts; in Na m Ou Hardkhihoun, Hardphakuang, Hard Xao Approx. 100 Pcs. Everyone in family help 2010, 3 women in the village joined a training supported by World Vision and Hard Lee. each other 11 Nongkhieo organization. Nowadays they produced for selling in Nongkhieo market, guesthouse and food shops in Ngoy district. Have learned how to make crispy river weed from Donkao village then Nam Bak, Nam Ou, Mekong, Nam Collecting in waterfront of own village, Approx. 100 -150 Pcs Everyone in family help making it for family consumption for 20 years, then produced for sales 20 Xeng, Nam Xeuang, Nam Mud, Nongkhieo village, Pak Bak village, each other 12 Bom years already; so, the villagers of this village have experiences about 40 Nam Eum, Nam Phak, Nam Kor, Nakhone village, Lee village, Nam Nga years in making Nam Nga, Nam Heub. village. Crispy river weed.

8 Source of Raw materials (raw river weed) No. Name of village Background of Crispy river weed production Quantity produced Name of river River weed collecting location Key responsible person (sheet/day/fam.) Making crispy river weed for many generations, initially for the family Nam Bak Collecting at waterfront in upstream of Approx. 100 -150 Pcs. Everyone in family help 13 Nakhone consumption, later making for sales over 10 years. village, time used for going to collecta each other round 15 min. Making crispy river weed for more than 10 years; learned from villagers Nam Bak Collecting in waterfront at own village Approx. 50 Pcs Mostly women are 14 Nam Lah of Bom village, mainly for family consumption and selling in Nam Bak responsible for works. market. Making crispy river weed for family consumption for more than 10 years, Nam Bak, Nam Xeng, Nam Xeuang, Collecting in water -front of own Approx. 150 Pcs Everyone in family help 15 Fah but began producing for sales for 4-5 years. Nam Ou, Nam Nga and Nam Khaan village, time used for travel to/Fro is each other about 15 min. Begin making crispy river weed since going to live in Donkao village in Nam Bak, Nam Xeng, Nam Xeuang, Collecting in waterfront at own village Approx. 200 Pcs. Everyone in family help Luang Prabang and learned from the Donkao villagers, now 10 years Nam Ou, Nam Nga and Nam each other 16 Lee already. Then the children of family learnt from their parents and Khaan. produce to date. Making crispy river weed more than 10 year already, a woman from Nam Bak, Nam Ou, Nam Khan, Collecting in waterfront downstream/ Approx. 100 -300 Pcs. Everyone in family help Mouangkham village came to live in this village as a daughter-in-law of Nam Xeng, Nam Xeuang, Nam upstream their village ; time used for each other one family, and she is the first person who made crispy river weed; then, Eum, Nam Phak, Nam Kor in going to collect around 15 min ; travel 17 Phonxay other people learned from her. Initially just making for family Oudomxay province and in to Ban Lee by car takes about 30 min. consumption and gifts. In last 5 years, they have produced for sales in waterfront of their own village Nam Bak market, wholesales to Luang Prabang markets and other province. Making crispy river weed for about 50 years or so, by inheriting from Nam Khan Collecting in waterfront at their own Approx. 70 Pcs. Everyone in family help parents, elderly people in the village; initially just for family consumption, village ; and Pak Bak village, travel by each other 18 Donmoh but when more people like to eat it they produced for sales for more than car takes around 30 min. 20 years already. Begin making crispy river weed in last 5 years; learning from the villagers Nam Khan Collecting at waterfront of their own Approx. 50 Pcs. Mostly women 19 Pak Khan of Xieng Ngeun village. village Making crispy river weed more than 100 years by inheriting the Nam Khan Travel to the collecting location 35 Km Approx. 50 -60 Pcs. Mostly women 20 Xieng Ngeun production method of their parents’ generation; they keep on doing it to away, it takes about one hour or so. date for selling to restaurants in the district. The villagers learned how to make crispy river weed from Mouangkham Nam Khan In the waterfront of their own village Approx. 30 -100 Pcs. Everyone in family help 21 Pak Vaed village, the have produced more than 10 years; nowadays the produced some 5 KM from the village, time used each other and sell in their own village and in Xieng Ngeun district market. about 30 min. Making crispy river weed more than 10 years; younger people of each Nam Khan Collecting in waterfront at their own Approx. 100 Pcs Everyone in family help 22 Mood generation learened from the elderly people in the village. village each other Making crispy river weed more than 10 years ; initially just make for Mainly in Nam Khan, but Collecting in waterfront of their own Approx. 20 -50 Pcs. Everyone in family help family consumption and gifts, but nowadays also for selling within the sometimes going to collect in village and other colations where river each other 23 Souanluang village and supply to Luang Prabang market. Mekong river weed outcroping; travel time is around an hour or so. Making crispy river weed more than 20 years by inheriting the method of Nam Khan Collecting in waterfront of their own Approx. 70 -80 Pcs. Everyone in family help 24 Long-Or ancestors’ generations and keep on to date. At first, only for family village upstream the village. each other consumption using as gifts while producing for sales almost 20 years. Making crispy river weed around 50 years or so, by inheriting the method Nam Khan Collecting in waterfront of their own Approx. 100 Pcs. Husband and wife help of ancestors’ generations. At first, only for family consumption, but when village and other locations where river each other. 25 Aensavanh there are many tourists and tourism destinations, they begin selling in weed outcrop; time use dis around an their village and selling to visitors, and selling in Luang Prabang. hour or so. Data source : LWU, Luang Prabang Province , 2015

9 4.2.2. Houaphan Province Based on the survey in 2015 carried out by TABI project, it was found that there is crispy river weed production in some villages in Houaphan province, particularly in the district areas of Viengxay and Xamneua while in districts of Houameuang, Vienthong and Xamtai there is production also but the number of the production villages is smaller than that of the first 2 districts as shown in Figure 3.

Generally, the crispy river weed production for commercial purpose in Houaphan province has not yet been a formal process of production as in Luang Prabang Province. However, in addition to making crispy river weed, the people in many villages of Houaphan province also pick river weed for sales at their own villages in form of raw river weed (Figure 3: the circles in yellow, blue and red color showing the raw river weed collected in a small to big quantity), which the collecting-buyer will gather the raw river weed in a quite big quantity to supply to the traders in different provinces. From these data information we can see that Houaphan province has potential in aspect of raw materials and if the villagers who collect (pick) and sell the raw river weed are promoted for techniques in processing of crispy river weed, including linkage to markets, the crispy river weed production activity may give them a higher income than supplying the raw river weed.

13

Figure 3: Map of location of villages collecting river weed, making crispy river weed in Houaphan province

13 4.2.3. Xiengkhouang Province The survey showed that distribution of river weed is available in different rivers in Xiengkhouang province, such as Nam Khan, Nam Khao, Nam Keua, Nam Lao, Nam Mud, Nam Thae and Nam Neun. The species of river weed that grow (outcrop) in each location is difference in proportion of availability, for example, in the lowland along Nam Khan river are mostly the slippery river weed while the species outcropping along Nam Hang river are mostly the coarse river weed. The survey also let we know that the local people in Xiengkhouang province living along the riverside used to utilize river weed for a long time in their food consumption as well as using it as feed for their livestock.

Map showing distribu tion of river weed in Xiengkhouang province

However, eventhough Xiengkhouang province has potentials of resources and heritage in utilization of river weed; but so far, people haven’t brought such resources to make processing for adding value to river weed in order to supply it as commercial product. They just collect the raw river weed and sell to the intermediate traders who supply such raw materials to the customers in different provinces. As such, since 2010 the related agencies and organizations involved in implementation of TABI project activities have given support to people in Xiengkhouang province in order to encourage them collecting river weed for processing as commercial goods, especially for making crispy river weed products. At the beginning, the promotion activity was established in 4 villages of Phou Koud district before expanding the activity to other villages, of which the names, including the rivers where river weed comes up is shown in Table 5. Table 5: List of Villages Participating TABI Activity on Using River weed for Production of Sustainable

No. Na of village Name of rivers where river weed coming up Phou Koud District 1 Long Khao Nam Khan, Nam Khao 2 Sop Khao Nam Khan, Nam Khao 3 Phiengdy Nam Khan 4 Long Khan Nam Khan 5 Long Hang Nam Hang 6 Lang Jong Nam Hang 7 Vang Tong Nam Khane, Nam Hang 8 Nam Jad Nam Jad Phou Khoun District 1 San Noy Nam xan, Nam Mone, Nam Nhay Data source: Nanthavong 2015

13 As already mentioned, one of the main objectives in promoting production of crispy river weed is not only to help people have consumption of food with high nutrient value and have preserved food for long-rung self-sufficiency, but to encourage people to make use of river weed additionally in aspect of economy, that is, to produce crispy river weed as commercial goods for sales. This is to help people have a sustainable additional income-generating source, of which the outputs from implementation in 2014-2015 production season, e.g. number of production families, quantity produced, and estimated income value received by the project participants are shown in Table 6. Table 6: Data on Outputs of Crispy River Weed of 9 Villages in 2 districts of Xiengkhouang from December 2014 to March 2015

Name of No. Kip) Kip) /bag

village (bag) village Income Income families families Outputs TT. Q.’ty Q.’ty TT. Quantity TT.of nr. in Family produced sold (bag) sold(bag) price Unit Kip) (Mill. from CRW CRW from Nr.of CRW Nr.of CRW from Total sales (Mill. sales(Mill. TT. income TT. Production Production

Khoun District 1 San Noy 182 16 444 166 10 000 1.66 4.44 Phou Koud District 1 Nam Jad 136 11 133 32 20 000 0.64 2.66 2 Long Hang 105 1 12 10 000 0.12

3 Lang Jong 147 2 12 10 000 0.12

4 Vang Tong 52 1 10 10 000 0.1

5 Long Khan 190 86 4761 517 10 000 5.17 47.61 6 Phiengdy 81 3 265 57 10 000 0.57 2.65 7 Sop Khao 79 34 2 856 414 10 000 4.14 28.56 8 Long Khao 116 5 184 71 10 000 0.71 1.84 TT. 2 districts 159 8 677 1 257 12.86 88.1

Average /fam 0.55

*1 Bag of 3 sheets (Data source : Nanthavong 2015)

By comparing situation of CRW production in some target villages of TABI, it has been found that during 2014 and 2015 the number of production families, including the quantity of CRW produced has dropped down as shown in Table 7. One reason is that, the river weed coming up (outcropping) is unavailable as resulted from human activities, and another reason is due to difficult access to markets. As such, the local people decided to choose selling raw river weed instead of processing it into crispy river weed for sales, in other words, selling the raw river weed seems to be an easy way of making additional family income as the collecting buyers (traders) buy it at the village. Mostly, raw river weed will be supplied to people who make crispy river weed in Luang Prabang Province while some amounts are supplied to customers in Vientiane for cooking traditional foods. Table 7: Quantity and Nr. families preparing CRW under TABI project in Xiengkouang in 2014-2015

Number of production families Total quantity produced (bags)

2014 2015 Difference (%) 2014 2015 Difference (%)

Long Khan 95 86 -9% 3189 4761 49% Long Khao 27 5 -81% 2531 184 -93% Long Hang 6 1 -83% 77 12 -84% Vang Tong 18 1 -94% 395 10 -97% Data source: Nanthavong, 2005

14 4.2.4. Other provinces Bokeo, Oudomxay, Phongsaly provinces

5. Crispy River Weed Production Crispy river weed is processed food made from river weed. Using the raw river weed to be processed as crispy river weed is an indigenous wisdom of local people which is inherited their ancestors. This is a way of preservation of river weed as a long-term preserved food for the family consumption by using the well- cleaned river weed to make it into a sheet shape, cooking its taste with sauce and dry it. As for preparing for serve is done by grilling on gently burning charcoal or frying in cooking oil with moderate heat. In the past, making crispy river weed focused on food consumption within one’s family, but during last 20 years people in many localities have changed to produce in bigger quantity for distribution as commercial products in order make supplementary income for their families. Foreign visitors and tourists get to know this product and call it in English as Lao Crispy River Weed or just shortly : Crispy River Weed (Sautier, Souphadthone et al. 2007; Foppes 2012).

Figure 4: Crispy river weed products

Different Steps in Making Crispy River Weed In the period of October to April which is the season for river weed coming up (may be different from one locality to another depended on eco-system of the rivers) you can see the image along rivers or streams, that is, image of people both men and women collecting river weed. Collecting the river weed with nice- looking characteristic and good quality suitable for making crispy river weed is not so easy because one should have to dive into the deep and cool water due to river weed usually comes up in winter, and another reason is that, availability of river weed reduced as a result of impacts on the eco-system. So, it takes more and more time in collecting river weed to get enough raw river weed for processing into crispy river weed products in bigger quantity so it meet the market demand which is gradually increase. As such situation, the villagers have to compete each other in collection of river weed in order to get nice-looking and good quality river weed. The have to leave their home in early morning when it’s still very cold. After they got the raw river weed they have to prepare crispy river weed through several steps. The species they like to make crispy river weed is slippery river weed which is more popular than the coarse river weed,

15 another reason is that, to make crispy river weed from slippery river weed is easier than the coarse one due to it has much dirt and sand sticking on the coarse species, and after it was made crispy river weed it’s not as delicious as the slippery species. Figure 5 showing different steps in making crispy river weed.

Steps in making Crispy river weed 1 Collecting and cleaning raw river weed Most of Crispy river weed producers go to collect river weed in mor ning. After collected it they wash and take off the dirt, sand, small rocks, and then wash and clean it in river or at home again. In case of slippery river weed they will wash at the collection spot. To clean the river weed you have to beat it with stick on top of stone or on cement floor many times to take off dirt. When you observe that it was cleaned well then you can bring it for processing in further steps. The well-cleaned river weed can be used for making crispy river weed within 2-3 days if kept in cold weather or under shade.

Steps in making Crispy river weed Making sheet of C rispy river weed To start making sheet of crispy river weed, firstly the fiber (thread) of river weed is cut into short pieces, then put on the template box, wash it once more, make a sheet exactly matching with the templa te box with equal thickness; after that the sheet is laid on the white piece of cloth, then squeeze it to let out water, take the sheet out of the piece of cloth, and put it on a basket or a crispy river weed container.

16 Steps in making crispy river weed 3 Preparing the sauce and spice ingredients Spice ingredients may be depended on favorite taste of buyer, e.g. olive ( Pondias pinnata ), Hibiscus sabdariffa , Tamarin ( Tamarin dusindicus ), galanga ( Alpinia galanga ), salt etc. All spice ingredients must be boiled for about 1 hour, then take out all wastes. Leave it for a while to let it cold. After that, wash sesame seeds, grind galanga then dry it, slice garlic, tomatoes into thin slices. When the boiled water get cold, filter it well to take away the wastes once more.

Steps in making Crispy river weed 4 Cooking river weed and springing ingredients Bring the river weed that was squeezed already to lay on plastic sheet, spread the mixed sauce on the sheet of river weed and use small brush tapping thorough the sheet to mix them neatly, adjust the edge of sheet, then take it to lay on bamboo basket sheet for drying in the sun. After that, sprinkle the spice ingredients e.g. sesame ( Sesamus indicus ), tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ) and garlic ( Allium sativum ), pounded galanga and others on the sheet of river weed according to the favourite taste of buyers, then use small brush tapping on the sheet to tighten it and prevent ingredients from losing out of the sheet of crispy river weed.

17 Steps in making Crispy river weed 5 Drying and Packing Take the sheets of river weed which are laid on grass -plate or bamboo -basketing tray to pose to the sunlight to make them dry within one day so they have good smell and tasteful. After they got dry then bring them to pack in plastic bags, firmly closed by tying with elastic rubber ring or airproofed heat pressing, then keeping in a place without light (or dark place) to keep it green.

Figure 5 Steps in Production of crispy river weed Method of making crispy river weed in each local area varies, for example, in Sinxay, Hardnang, Don Sa-ard and Viengkham villages of Phongsaly and Oudomxay provinces, the villagers will not cut the river weed in short and small pieces, instead, they separate the river weed and put on the vetiver grass tray directly, so, the crispy river weed they made is not similar to the one made by the villagers in Luang Prabang Province, it’s like shown in the figure 6 (below).

Figure 6The feature of crispy river weed produced in Phongsaly and Oudomxay provinces

6. utrition Data of iver eed The raw river weed contains nutrients useful for body and has many kinds of nutrients in higher quantity compared with many kinds of food. Study of nutrients in raw river weed in Chladophora and Microspora families as shown in Table 8, has found that river weed of these 2 families have protein as high as in fresh water fish, that is, around 20 grams in 100 grams of dry weight while in its crudes or fibers has the same quantity as in normal green-leaf vegetables. In addition, the river weed of both families also have vitamins and many kinds of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B1 and B2, vitamin C, Calcium and selenium, especially selenium which is an important substance for anti-free small-particles is found in bigger quantity than in general green-leaf vegetables. So, river weed is considered as a supplementary protein source (Peerapornpisal, Makonkawkeyoon et al. 200).

18 Table 8 utrition Value of iver eed Food Substance Quantity Food Substance Quantity Basic food substance (g/100 g of dry weight Minerals (mg/ 100 g of dry weight

Fat 3.12 Calcium 943.9 Protein (N x 6.2) 19.3 Sodium 716.9 Food fiber 21.9 Potassium (g/100 g dry weight) 4.62 Ash 19.6 Chloride (g/100 g dry weight) 1. Carbohydrate (calculation) 30.34 Magnesium 170. Vitamin (mg/100 g dry weight Manganese .36

Vitamin A Not found Iron 162 Vitamin C 6.78 Copper (µg/100 g dry eight) 0.31 Vitamin B1 0.16 Zinc 0.6 Vitamin B2 0.4 Selenium (µg/100 g dry weight) 460.4 Folic acid 0.14 Pantothenic acid 0.26 Niacin 4.2 Data source: Peerapornpisal, Makonkawkeyoon et al. 200

19 7. Economic Estimation of Crispy iver eed Production Economic calculation is referred to the report written by Ms. Nongnouth about the crispy river weed production of a women group in Luang Prabang Province (Foppes 2012) and interviews with the producers and crispy river weed traders in 201 and 2016. The production cost should be calculated the total expenditure amount which is accrued amount of expenses occurred in each step of production. This does not include the cost related to production equipment and facilities which last for many years. From interview with the villagers who vocationally produce crispy river weed in 4 villages of Luang Prabang Province it was found that they can supply crispy river weed at average quantity ranging from 1,000 to 30,000 pieces (sheets) per family per year which bring them an annual income 28.7 million Kip per each family. The total value of crispy river weed selling in 4 villages is 140 billion Kip in 2011, which the production families got income ranging from 6 million to 60 million Kip per family irrespectively. In case of the cost of raw river weed is not calculated, but calculation is only made on labor cost for collecting, washing, cleansing river weed , it’s found that the cost of raw materials, equipment and labor cost covering 23% to 77% of total cost of crispy river weed production. According to the selling price at 2,000 Kip/ sheet without subtracting labor cost, the net profit is 1,660 Kip/ sheet. Details are shown in Table 9.

Table 9 Production Cost and et Profit of Crispy river eed Production % of Production Inputs* Unit Quantity Unit price Amount total cost (1 Materials & Equipment Kip 1,700,000 23%

Sesame Kgs. 0 1,000 70,000 10% Ingredients for making sauce Kgs. 20 10,000 200,000 3% Ingredient spice for sprinkling on surface of CRW 300,000 300,000 4%

Grass tray for drying CRW (usable 1 year) 300,000 300,000 4%

Plastic bags Kgs. 30,000 10,000 2% (2 Labour cost Kip ,833,333 77%

Collecting river weed Pers-day 38 0,000 1,87,000 2% River weed cleansing Pers.-day 21 0,000 1,041,667 14% Making crispy river weed Pers.-day 33 0,000 1,666,667 22% Preparing spice sauce, sprinkling on sheet Pers.-day 8 0,000 416,667 6% Drying Pers.-day 8 0,000 416,667 6% Packing Pers.-day 8 0,000 416,667 6% (3 Summing up the production cost (1+2 Kip 7,33,333

(4 Quantity and Price of C produced Kip 10,000,000

Quantity Pcs (sheet) ,000

Selling price Kip 2,000

(5 et profit (4-3 Kip 2,466,667

(6 et profit not less labour cost (5+2 Kip 8,300,000

*Based on the ratio of the cleansed river weed 1 000 Kgs . Made 000 sheets, and 1 Kg.of lean raw river weed derived from 2 Kgs of not cleansed raw river weed (Foppes 2012)

20 8. Value Chain of C The value chain means different values happened through steps (stages) of making sheets, processing, marketing, wholesale, retail sales and consumption. Through this process there are many people involved in each step or phase of the value chain, they are river weed collecting person, crispy river weed producer, gathering buyer, wholesaler, retailer and CRW consumer.

8.1. VC in Luang Prabang Province Crispy river weed production and other activities related to crispy river weed in Luang Prabang Province, e.g. collecting raw river weed for sales, selling crispy river weed, including cooking food with crispy river weed in restaurants and hotels are considered a very important element to economy which you can observe the value chain of river weed and crispy river weed of Luang Prabang Province (Figure 7). The survey found that almost all families in many villages make crispy river weed during the season of river weed coming up. It’s estimated that, presently the business on crispy river weed is basic factor of livelihood for thousands of families in Luang Prabang Province area (Sautier, Souphadthone et al. 2007).

Data source: From interview with some entrepreneurs in Luang Prabang Province, 201 Figure 1: Value chain of raw river weed and crispy river weed in Luang Prabang Province The findings of 2012 survey carried out in 4 villages indicated that crispy river weed production could generate family income at average of 33 million Kip per each family annually (equivalent to 4,120 USD), or annual income ranging from 6 million to 60 million Kip per family per year irrespectively (see Table 10) with different quantity of their produced CRW which ranging from 1,000 to 30,000 sheets/ family/ year.

Table 10 Average Income/family/year from Crispy river weed production of 4 villages in LPB province Contents Unit Beum Donemoh Donekao Muangkham Total Number of families producing CRW Famille 268 101 32 8 486 Average qu.’ty of CRW sold by each fam. per Sheet 1 000 24 238 3 000 30 000 19 619 year Average CRW unit price sold in their own K/sheet 1 360 1 000 2 000 2 000 1 680

21 Contents Unit Beum Donemoh Donekao Muangkham Total villages Average total income per family per year Mill K/Y 20 24 6 60 33 Average total income per family per year USD/Y 2 0 3 030 70 7 00 4 120 Average total income per village per year Mill.K/Y 467 2 448 192 100 16 018 Data source: Foppes 2012

In addition to the data information on Table 10, the provincial Lao women union of LPB province also conducted an additional survey in 201 in connection with the CRW quantity and production cost of 2 villages in LPB province as shown in Table 11.

Table 11 r. family, Quantity & Value of production/aelling aw/C in 25 villages of LPB province

(mil.

C

families

amily( amily( mill.Kip umber of C prod. Total Quantity of aw weedriver used(Ton aw weedriver used in family (Ton Cused family in (sheet Quantity of raw river weed supplied (Ton fromIncome selling raw weed river K Quantity of C supplied (sheets fromIncome supplying (mil.K Average income per f Luang Prabang

Donekao 7 3.3 0.0 00 3.3 20 0 100 14

Xienglome 29 1 0. 07 9 30.4 39 020 136 Nounsavath 34 12 0.2 4 130 2 0 36 298 117 3 Phiknoy 47 9 0.2 6 880 0 0 469 610 1 26 27 Pha-oh 19 8 0 2 620 0 0 29 780 99 Chomephet

Mouangkham 21 2.9 0.2 2 100 23.8 26 900 77 36

Sanok 21 48 0.1 100 0 0 203 12 799 38 goy

Sop Houn 10 14 0.1 1 70 0 0 48 12 88 9 Nongkhieo 23 40 0. 7 178 .2 12.3 14 667 277 12 Pak Bak 31 88 0.3 4 338 71.4 181 61 110 118 4 am Bak

Bom 3 28. 0.38 3 97 28.1 221 42 388 7.3

Nakhone 4 0 0.4 9 920 0. 1.4 217 00 420 8 Fah 17 41 0.1 3 718 0 0 17 430 36 21 Nam La 9 9 0 1 40 0.1 0.2 31 660 8 6 Phonxay 40 14 0.4 3 733 0 0 686 724 83 21 Lee 43 102 0.2 3 910 0 0 347 70 69 16 Xieng geun

Done-moh 21 2.6 0.38 2 66 2.2 11 400 46 2.2

Pak Khan 10 7 0.2 3 00 0.4 2 10 40 42 4 Xieng Ngeun 18 173 0.1 2 60 0 0 66 140 181 10 Pak Vaed 14 38 0 2 808 0 0 6 30 20 1

22

(mil. (mil.

C

families

amily( amily( mill.Kip umber of C prod. Total Quantity of aw weedriver used(Ton aw weedriver used in family (Ton C used in family (sheet Quantity ofraw river weed supplied (Ton Income from selling raw weed river K Quantity ofC supplied (sheets Income from supplying (mil.K Average income per f Souanluang 27 10 0.1 227 1.2 9.7 28 86 93 3 Mouth 18 103 0.4 3 640 1.3 9.6 18 68 68 4 Long-Or 32 177 0.4 4 06 2 13.8 40 72 114 4 Aensavanh 28 222 0.1 3 69 0 0 103 690 187 7 Viengkham

Bouamvane 37 110 1.1 4 784 1.8 .7 1 44 27 1 Total 663 1 77.3 6.41 98 727 12.3 266.1 3 291 398 7 313 268. Data source: Provincial Lao women union, LPB, 201

Besides producing and supplying crispy river wee, collecting raw river weed for selling is an important supplementary income generating source for many families during the season that river weed comes up (outcrop), particularly nowadays the price of raw river weed is rising every year. One reason that makes the rising of raw river weed price is because there is increasing quantity of crispy river weed production, and another reason which may considered as a main cause of rising price is because the availability of river weed is reduced compared with the past time as resulted from changes in the eco-system impacting on some water resources. So, there isn’t river weed coming up in some years, or even is extinct from those rivers or water resources. Both causes make the natural river weed availability in Luang Prabang Province is not sufficient for the need of the producers of crispy river weed, and they have to bring some additional amount of raw river weed from other provinces, such as Xiengkhouang and Oudomxay provinces.

8.2. In Xiengkouang province The findings of survey in 201 indicated that the general situation of value chain in market of raw river weed and crispy river weed produced in Xienkhouang province since the project promotes the crispy river weed production still focused on the raw river weed collecting for sales to the crispy river weed producers in other provinces, especially in Luang Prabang. The raw river weed was collected (picked) by the villagers, then gathered by traders at province level before wholesaling to other provinces. Detail information on the market value-chain of the raw river weed and crispy river weed produced in Xiengkhouang province are shown in Figure 8, including the involved parties and price of raw river weed, crispy river weed in each stage of the market value-chain.

23

Data source: From interviews with some entrepreneurs in Xiengkhouang province in 201 Figure 7 Chain value of raw river weed and Crispy river weed in Xiengkhouang province

Based on the data information from survey, it’s found that the price of raw river weed that has not yet been cleansed ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 Kip per kilogram which is the selling price at the village level that the gathering buyer (traders) in the village buys from the river weed collector. After that the gathering buyer (traders) will send the raw river weed for selling to the buyer (traders) at the province level with unit price ranging from ,000 to 10,000 Kip per kilogram depended on the seasons. The gathering buyer (traders) at province will work as a wholesaler who sends the raw river weed to the province, particularly to supply to the crispy river weed producers at the unit price ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 Kip per kilogram. One important place for selling river weed in Xiengkhouang county town is in the agriculture products market in the urban area of Phonsavanh district. From interview with the gathering traders of raw river weed of Xienhkhouang level, they let us know that the quantity of raw river weed supplied to other provinces in 201 is high as 10 tonnes. It was also asked about the reason why the villagers didn’t make crispy river weed and sell, and it was told that the villagers faced problem in finding markets for their products. In addition, some villages have problem with access roads to their villages resulted in difficulties about transportation and relation with the markets.

As for the raw river weed price in the urban market of Phonsaanh district, it will depends on the quantity of raw river weed available in that market, however, the retail price ranging from 8,000 to 20,000 Kip per kilogram; and if this same kind of river weed is sent to be sold in Vientiane Capita the price will rise up to 30,000 Kip /Kg. According to the information from data collection survey, in the period of rising price of raw river weed the intermediate traders who gather and buy it at the villages for sales in the markets will get much profit, unless the villages who collect the raw river weed will bring it to sell in the market by themselves whic is seldom done because of difficult transportation.

24 As for the crispy river weed produced in Xienkhouang province, the selling price is 3,000 Kip per sheet (piece) which is 00 to 1,000 Kip higher than Luang Prabang’s crispy river weed. So, based on the production investment cost¹, it’s found that processing raw river weed into crispy river weed in Xiengkhouang province can make value-added to raw river weed 4,00 Kip/Kg.

9. Opportunity, Threats and Challenges for Crispy iver eed Production 9.1. Opportunity According to the data information as described above, we can see that good opportunity for making crispy river weed as commercial products is gradually increased. One important reason is that, the number of local people moving from the rural areas (countryside) into urban towns is increasing annually. Another reason is, the people in the towns or cities like eating finished food, or easy-cooked food stuff which can be kept for eating at any time as they like. Among other food stuffs with such characteristic is the crispy river weed. In other words, the way of life of the citizens living in the urban areas or cities have preference in eating snacks on different occasions which crispy river weed is also regarded as a kind of popular snack food. Therefore, crispy river weed has good opportunity to access to markets.

Besides the domestic market for the crispy river weed becomes larger as a result of increasing number of Lao consumers themselves, as well as gradually increasing number of consumers as foreign tourists, crispy river weed products supply is likely to have opportunity to expand to export market easily because nowadays it has become well known among foreigners, in particular the group of tourists who have a chance to visit Luang Prabang Province. One more reason is that, crispy river weed products have similar characteristic with the products made from sea weed which the people in foreign countries used to consume already, for example, in Korea and Japan. For these reasons, it is a possible condition that it will be acceptable for consumers in overseas markets, especially in the countries where their people consume sea weed like the above-mentioned examples. At the local level, each village with crispy river weed production activity also has different potential and opportunity as shown in Table 12 below, in which data information are received from the survey conducted by LPB provincial Lao women union in 2 villages with crispy river weed production activity.

2

Table 12 Potentials and Opportunity for Crispy river weed production in 25 villages of LPB province

aw Materials Production techniques Marketing iver weed Trade deal with Purc hase Having experience in o difficulty in

availability iver weed seller Order for Processing Crispy river supplying C near village available in big quantity weed products Luang Prabang Donekao x x

Xienglome x

Nounsavath x x x

Phiknoy x x x x

Pha-oh x

Chomphet Mouangkham x x x x

Sanok x x x x

goy Sophoun x

Pak Bak x x

Nongkhieo x x x

am Bak Bom x x x x x Phonxay x x x x x Fah x x x x

Nakhone x x x

Fee x x x x x Nam La x x

Xieng geun Don-moh x x

Pak Khan

Xieng Ngeun x x

Pak Vaed x

Moud

Souanluang

Long-or

Aensavanh x

Viengkham Bouamvane x x

Data source: Provincial Lao Women Union, Luang Prabang Province, 201

In addition, the river weed can be used as raw material for production of feed for livestock which the market demand becomes higher gradually. The reason is that, river weed comprising of high nutrient substance, especially protein, that’s why river weed can be used as alternative source of protein for producing animal feed. These days, Protein sources that are brought to make animal feed mainly getting

26 from animals, such as the kinds of sea fish with small size, which is more and more decreased in quantity. So, using river weed as an alternative source of protein is a way to help reducing impacts on eco-system that means to reduce catching aquatic animals to be used as raw materials for animal feed production.

However, to ensure the sufficient quantity for supplying to the industrial production of animal feed which is now highly increased, to collect natural river weed solely will not be able to response to the need, and also, this method is considered as ecological system destruction. Therefore, if it’s required to use river weed as alternative source of protein at industrial level, it’s required to conduct a research and experiment on possibility in propagating the river weed in form of farm. However, the research and experiment have been initiated in some countries, such as Thailand where this kind of experiment already took place (Traichaiyaporn, Waraegsiri et al. 2006). To use river weed as alternative source of protein for both human being and animal is considered as opportunity, but at the same time, in order to make this opinion materialized at both family level and industry level, it’s necessary to have research and trial activities which seems to be a challenge to utilization of river weed. 9.2. Constrains and Chalenges One of constraints the crispy river weed production is the availability of river weed naturally coming up has been changing as results of human actions, such as the impacts to the water flows and contamination in water current. So, one challenging problem is the supplying of raw materials for the crispy river weed producers. For the short-term of problem solving, there should be setting up of relationship between the villagers in the areas where river weed are available who collect the raw river weed for selling and the villagers in the areas where crispy river weed are produced as commercial goods, including study and research on how to transport the raw river weed by keeping its quality and feature still in good and fresh status while the long-term problem solving may be prompting the propagation of river weed, which to date, in foreign countries there has been study on propagating river weed already. Besides, the villagers in different local areas who collect raw river weed should be promoted and supported in order to enable them process the raw river weed into crispy river weed for commercial purpose. In many local areas, the producers of crispy river weed face problem of insufficient investment capital for their production of crispy river weed combined with a higher production cost, and the market for distribution is not wide enough, including press on their selling price, in other word, they still lack the negotiating power with the traders. The challenge of these circumstances is establishment of production groups that will help to resolve the problem of production cost, help to build negotiating power and help to uplift the quality standard of crispy river weed production as well.

Crispy river weed production is a time consuming activity and ward work. This includes collecting river weed from rivers by oneself which is a hard work. One challenging problem in commercial crispy river weed production is an attempt to find the helping tools and equipment to reduce usage of labor force in each stage of production, especially if they want to upgrade production from the family level to small-scale industry level. Furthermore, the producers should be provided with appropriate knowledge so that they produce crispy river weed with a healthy method, and moreover, the related agency has to issue measures to control the crispy river weed which are disposed for sales in the markets for safety of the consumers. At local level, each village with crispy river weed production activity also has different weak points and constraints as shown in Table 13. The data information is taken from the survey findings of the LPB provincial Lao women union conducted in 21 production villages. The data information were compiled and prioritized potentials, cause of problems related to the crispy river weed production in those 21 villages as shown in Table 14.

27

Table 13 eak points and Constraints in the Crispy river weed production in Luang Prabang Province aw materials aspect Marketing aspect

Problemriver of weedup coming o trading relation with traders People from other come areas to collet ofTechniques processing methods cannotimproved be Lackingcapital of for product. investment Tooprofit small ot big marketing Luang Prabang Xienglome X x x x x

Nounsavath X x x

Phiknoy X x x x

Pha-oh X x

Chomphet Sanok X x x x

goy Sophoun X x x

Pak Bak X x x

Nongkhieo X x x

am Bak Phonxay x x x

Fah x

Nakhone X x

Lee x x x x

Nam La x

Xieng geun Pak Khan X x x x x

Xieng Ngeun X x x x

Pak Vaed X x x x x

Moud X x x x x

Souanluang X x x x

Long-or X x x x x x

Aensavanh X x x x

Viengkham Bouamvane x x x x x

Data source: Provincial Lao women union , LPB 201

28 Table 14 Problems, Potentials and Causes related to Crispy river weed production 21 villages of LPB province

Luang Prabang Chomphet goy Viengkham am Bak Xieng geun

Problems/Potentials Causes -Or -Or -oh

Xienglome ounsavath Phiknoy Pha Sanok Houn Sop Bak Pak ongkhieo Bouamvane Phonxay Fah akhone Lee am La geun Xieng Khan Pak Vaed Pak Moud Soanluang Long Aensavanh There’s no river weed coming up Impact of hydropower dam

- Namkhane dam x x x x x x x x x x

- Nam Ou dam x x x x

- Mekong dam(Mekong water not get lower x x

Impact of mining activity x

Insufficient river weed for crispy river x x x x weed production Purchasing Contact with traders not yet x x x x x x x x x x x x x established Contact for purchasing raw river x x x x x x x x weed with traders available Having problems with techniques Can produce in small quantity, taking much time x x x x x x

Working hard x x x x x

Quality is not good enough x x x x x x x x x x

No experiences in quality development x x x x x x

Villagers had experiences in crispy x x x x x x x river weed production Lack of investment capital, can produce only when Having problem with capital having money to buy spice ingredients, have to sell x x x x x x x x

CRW in low price Cost of spice ingredients rising every year (production Small profit x x x x x x cost rising every year, less profit) Traders press the villager selling price x x x x x x

Market is not so big x x x x

Having quite big market x x x x x x x

Data source : Provincial Lao women union, LPB province , 201

29

Implementing the activity of commercial crispy river weed production has some constraints and problems. According to report from the person who is responsible for implementing the said activity under TABI project at Xienkhouang province during 2014 to 201, it has been found that access to marketing is also an important issue which has to take into account. This situation is shown in Table 1 below. Table 15 Pending issues or weak points in implementing the promotion activity on crispy river weed production in 9 villages of 2 districts in Xiengkhouang province during the year 2014-2015. o. Pending issues or eak points easons Problem solutions – The Members in some – The members of some – The Party Board and production villages didn’t groups still neglected the administration authority pay attention to crispy river activity. campaigned the group weed production; they – Some members didn’t members continue production didn’t follow the techniques want to pay much on the of crispy river weed. 1 that they got trained. spice ingredients, they – Each member has to focus on put spice sauce a little, techniques in CRW production e.g. sesame, tomatoes; as he/ she was trained. The CRW sheet is not delicious and not nice- looking. – Technical advice was not – Some members didn’t – Technical staff from district given to all members yet. attend the meeting on level should hold a techn. technical coaching by Coaching when the members 2 technical staff, but they have readiness to join in the did their production activity. activity on their own. – The production villages are – This difficulty makes some – Should help the villagers in far away from the market; members dislike crispy building contact relations with transport of crispy river river weed production traders so that they go to buy 3 weed for selling is quite activity. from the villagers in the difficult. period that a lot of CRW were produced. Data source: (Nanthavong 201)

Besides the constraints (difficulties) in implementing the activity for promotion of production techniques and marketing, It’s required to raise awareness of the villagers to enable them know the value and benefit of river weed simultaneously so that they have concept and direction on how to conserve, utilize and protect fertility of this kind of natural resources. The reason is that, the river weed’s coming up in Xiengkhouang province now also have impacts from human movement. According to reporting, we know that in recent years the availability of river weed on Nam Khan and Nam Hang rivers reduced, and its quality is not so good like in the past because there is an exploitation of natural resources along the said rivers, especially the snad and white rocks excavation (Nanthavong 201).

9.2.1. ecommendations for the Crispy river weed production groups At initial stage, the project should strengthen the organization of crispy river weed production groups in order to : − Enable them procure the production inputs on behalf of the group(s) so that they can buy with cheaper price ; − Share using different tools effectively, such as the washing machine and other equipment. This will include establishment of saving fund for the group(s) which can be used for resolving urgent problems quickly, for example, the group(s) can procure the production inputs on tome (sesame, plastic bags, and equipment). In addition, the group(s) have to try to improve the storage system for keeping the

31 crispy river weed that the group(s) have produced by packing, storing in proper manners so that the products can be sold at any suitable time, but not only to sell when they are produced. The groups have to pay attention to improve the quality, ensure that the group members produce the crispy river weed with same quality standard. For example, standard for making the spice sauce for sprinkling on CRW sheets, drying, etc., as well as creating various options for CRW products, but basically in form of dry river weed, such as river weed noodle, spicy sauce and river weed powder.

9.2.2. ecommendations for the involved private sector The CRW producers should have contacts/ relations with the raders widely in order to upgrade competition and achieve a large consumer circle in the whole tourists market in Luang Prabang Province and countrywide. The production groups should be able to control the traders’ behavior in falsifying or making fake crispy river weed products. Moreover, the production groups should develop the products with new quality, and to make quality test with the traders and consumers. The producers should get more knowledge in terms of marketing opportunity for crispy river weed, including campaign for their investment in technology of modern packaging and maintaining of products.

9.2.3. ecommendations for linking with the private sector organization The Lao Women Union should help set up the production groups, capacity building in management of the production groups, advertisement on CRW products from local to country level, technical support, and legislative aspect, such as providing a clear standard and logo for certifying the products, etc. As for the institutes, agencies and other private sectors, such as the chamber of commerce, college of agriculture & forestry and universities should give help in aspect of control of standards and research for upgrading the technology applied in production.

9.2.4. ecommendations for the development organization support The organizations have to understand deeply the social-economic significance of using biodiversity for producing crispy river weed as the key supplementary income for many local families. Moreover, we have to understand the economic risk in the local areas in case of disappearance of river weed as results of the development projects making changes in water flow, making water quality contaminated, including applying the chemical products into productions which give negative impacts to people’s livelihood. Besides, support should be provided for a supplementary research in relations to nutrition value and possibility in using river weed as alternative food source with high nutrition value for human kind and for processing animal feed, leading to enhancement of crispy river weed products for export to overseas markets. However, among these recommendations that aim to support the CRW producers, no any recommendation is more important than their own proposals about what they need for their production, and all of such proposals are gathered and put on the Table 16 below, which reflect their requirements for resolving the problems that the CRW producers are facing at present time.

32 Table 16 Proposals on the needs of C in 21 villages in Luang Prabang Province for promotion of commercial C production

Luang Chomphet goy Viengkham am-Bak Xieng geun Prabang

Problem Solutions Grouping

geun -Or -Or -oh

-savanh -savanh Pak Bak Pak ongkhieo Bouamvane Phonxay Fah akhone Lee am La Xieng Khan Pak Vaed Pak Moud Souanluang Long An Xienglome ounsavath Phiknoy Pha Sanok Sophoun 1 Setting up the crispy river weed production groups x x x x x x x x x x x x

Request to have improvement of CRW production quality so that it has uniform 2 x x x x x x x x x x x quality. 3 Request to reduce hard working in the river weed cleansing step. x x x

4 Request to set up a saving fund to help CRW production. x x x x x x

Request to have advertisement in aspect of marketing. x x x x x x x x x

6 Request to stop excavation of sand and rocks on the rivers. x x

7 Request to have training in new techniques for production. x x x x x x x

8 Request to prevent villagers in nearby villages from stealing raw river weed. x

Request for help with equipment, designing packing bags with logo of the production 9 x x x x x x groups. 10 Set up regulation for management of the river weed sources. x x

Negotiating with traders for the fair buying price of raw river weed and selling price 11 x of CRW products. 12 Purchasing raw river weed from other places for CRW production. x x x

33

Annex 1 eferences Anonymous (2011). The Xayaburi Dam: A Looming Threat to the Mekong River. International Rivers. Berkeley, Canada. January 2011.

Foppes, N. (2012). Xaoban Report on Riverweed Producer Group. Vientiane, The Agro-Biodiversity Initiative (TABI) 31.

ICEM (2010). Strategic Environmental Assessment of Hydroprower on the Mekong Mainstream Vientiane, Mekong River Commission.

Kunpradid, T. and P. Leelahakriengkrai (2004). Ecological health monitoring of the Mekong River by using benthic algae in 2003-2004, American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 200.

LWU-LPB (201). Production Survey and Feasibility Study on Freshwater River Weed in 22 Villages, in 6 Districts in Luang Prabang. Vientiane TABI Project-MAF/SDC 10.

Nanthavong, D. (201). Sub-project Annual Report: Crispy Riverweed Production and Quality Improvement for Market Purposes (Phase IV). Vientiane, TABI Project 12.

Peerapornpisal, Y., S. Makonkawkeyoon, et al. (200). Potential of freshwater macroalgae as food and medicine. Bangkok, The Thailand Research Fund 8-1.

Räsänen, T. A. (2014). Hydrological changes in the Mekong River Basin – The effects of climate variability and hydropower development. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group. Helsinki, Aalto University, School of Engineering. Doctor of Science (Technology): 134.

Raven, P. H., R. F. Evert, et al. (2000). Biologie végétale, De Boeck Université.

Sautier, D., B. Souphadthone, et al. (2007). Luang Prabang Crispy River Weed-PEIG Project. Vientiane, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 14.

Traichaiyaporn, S., B. Waraegsiri, et al. (2006). Culture of a Green Alga Genus Cladophora (Kai) as Feed for the Mae-Kong Giant Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey). Bangkok The Thailand Research Fund.

Traichaiyaporn, S., B. Waraegsiri, et al. (2010). Culture of a Green Alga Genus Cladophora (KAI) as Feed for the Mae-Kong Giant Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey) (Phase 2). Bangkok, The Thailand Research Fund 3-8.

Vidal, J. (196). La végétation du Laos, Faculté des Sciences.

3

Annex 2 Village profile, Population and Experiences on Crispy river weed production process in 25 crw prodcution villages, Luang Prabang Province

TT. nr. of Population Ethnicity (h/h o. ame of village Village profile h/h Total F Lao Khmu Mong Established hundreds of years ago; initially the Phouan ethnic group moved from Xiengkouang to make settlement; have skills of iron smith to make 1 Donekao 196 1,076 0 186 10 knife, taking agric. Farming as main occupation. Their reason for moving to settle there because it’s close to Mekong river, easy for fish catching and river weed for using as food is plentiful; the fertile soil is appropriate for farming, raising animals and making crispy river weed. Established around in 1830 (186 years), initially the village people moved from 3 villages to settle together, i.e. Na Jah, P oung and Houaypong villages; the village population includes ethics of Lao, Yuan, Thaifanh (Lao tai). This village has abundance of natural resources, particu larly forests, biodiversity, 2 Xienglome 19 828 449 19 especially aquatic animals, river weed, etc. which is convenient for the villagers to ma ke a living and creating their income generating sources, including crispy river weed production. Established about 60 year ago, initially the people 20 families moved from Phao village, from Na Lek village 18 families, and 21 families from Nathong 3 Nounsavath 122 64 311 122 village which is on the other side of Khan river, near Phik Nhai village. The reason for moving is because they were afraid o f cholera desease; the village has dense forests, abundant of aquatic animals, and plenty of river weed come up at the waterfront of their village, it’s easy for the villagers’ livlihood. This village moved from Phik Nhai village and settled here in 193; the people of this village beongs to Leu ethnic group, at earlier time there were 30 families only who came to settle there because it was easy for them to do rice farming on that low land area, having enough water for farming. It is the 4 Phiknoy 70 344 17 70 administration boundary of Nounsavath village which was allocated for Phiknoy village; the vil lage is located on the riverside of Nam Khan river. There’s plenty of river weed coming up at the waterfront of this village which is easily collected for maiking crispy river weed. Established about 200 years or so ; the villagers are from Lao ethnic group ; making a living is relied on the abundance of Mekong river to be utilized in Pha-Oh 64 309 164 64 daily life consumption as well as to make cash income of their families, such as fish catching, Making crispy river weed which is a long occupational heritage up to now. This is an originally old village of Lao ethnicity; established hundreds of years ago, the villagers have heritage of skill i n making cubic piece of sugarcane juice; the village located on riverside of Mekong river, the villagers have convenience in picking river weed for processing into crispy river weed and for 6 Mouangkham 106 484 211 106 0 0 feeding animals in their families; in former time there is abundant non-timber-forest products (NTFP), fertile soil that is appropriate for agriculture and animal husbandry. Established 200 years ago; in 2007 the people from Dane and Simoungkhoun villages came to join settlement with Sanok village people; now they take occupations in animal husbandry, doing vegetable gardens along the shore of river; there is a lot of river weed coming up in the waterfront near the 7 Sanok 70 32 179 34 23 13 village; but in last two years the river weed was unavailable, so, the villagers have to buy raw river wee d from other areas and bring it to process crispy river weed products to increase more income. This village was established on 1.12.1810; initially this village people moved from Xiengkhor district of Houaphan province; comprising of Lao and Keumu ethnicity. The village is situated on the riverside of Nam Xeng river. The village people take a farming and animal husbandry activities as their occupation; 8 Bouamvane 73 363 180 73 there is abundant forest resources, such as Kaem, Peuakmeak, rattan, dense forests; there is plenty of fish in the river ; it’s easy for the villagers to make a living ; there are a lot of river weed coming up (outcroping) near the village sufficiently for commercial production of crispy river weed. Established about 200 years or so; initially the were some 8 families moving from Xamneua district; at present the villagers have occupation in farming 9 Sop Houn 92 477 23 92 and animal husbandry, and a number of villagers working in guesthouses. Established h und reds of years ago, the villagers are of Lao, Keummu ethnicity. The village has abundant forest resources, aquatic animals, ri ver weed; the 10 Pak Bak 139 64 336 139 village people have occupation in trade, gardening, animal husbandry, fish-catching (fishing). Established in 1978, firstly this village located at Pha Lakmeuang, later, moved to Nongkhieo during the time of bridge construction which seemed to be a 11 Nongkhieo 400 2,117 1,077 226 12 22 mixed group of people, mostly are government staff, civil servants, soldiers, policemen,. This village comprises of 3 ethnici ty people, i.e. Lao, Keummu and Mong. Now the village people work in guesthouses, resorts and small trade business. The village people are Tai Dam ethnicity moving from Thaeng Dis trict in Vietnam. This village is situated on the river bank of Nam Bak river. There is 12 Bomh 349 1,630 814 349 0 0 plentiful of aquatic animals, river weed which are the potentials for the villagers’ livelihood. The villagers take rice farming (rice growing) as main occupation. The village has dense forests, abundant of NTFP facilitating in collection for the family use. Established about 200 years or so. The village people moved from Xiengkhor district of Houaphan province beca use of difficulty in livelihood by an elderly person named grand-father Nakhone leading the group of people came to find a suitable place for making a living. Then they found this abundant 13 Naknoe 24 1,24 613 24 location for settlement, then established this village and gave its name as « Nakhone village ». There are many kinds of NTFP, plenty of aquatic animals; village fish preservation zone is available; there is plentiful river weed which gives facilitation for their livelihood. Presently the people take occupation in

36 TT. nr. of Population Ethnicity (h/h o. ame of village Village profile h/h Total F Lao Khmu Mong rice farming, gardening along the shore of river and making crispy river weed, or small trade business. Established around 100 years or so. Initially the village people moved from Ed district, Xiengkhor district of Houaphan provi nce to find a suitable area for 14 Nam La 143 749 377 143 their livelihood. The village is situated on Nam La riverside, the village people are of Keummu ethnicity . Now the villagers take occupation in rice farming, vegetable gardening and making crispy river weed for daily life consumption. Establishe around 300 years or so. Initially the village people moved from Thaeng district. They belonged to Yuan etnicity in the era of the Grandpa a Saen 1 Fah 209 977 470 209 Xai and Grandpa Saen Khua. Now the villagers take occupation in rice farming, animal husnadry and small trade business. Established around 200 years or so. Initially the village people moved from Thaeng district in Vietnam, led by Grandpa La Cha to find a fertile area for making a living. The group of people belonged to Tai Dam ethnicity comprising of 30 families only. The reason for moving is because of disputes among 16 Lee 119 611 310 the villagers themselves. This village has abundant forest resources, aquatic animals , wildlife animals. Fishery conservation zones, fishery preservation zones have been made available. Plenty of river weed co me up near the village which is enough for crispy river weed production. Nowadays the villagers take occupations in rice farming, gardening, small trade business and commercial crispy river weed production. Established around in 1976. The village people moved from Done village, situated behind Khong village. Majority of villagers were from T haeng district (in Vietnam) who moved to this area because their village got flooded. This village is situated on Nam Bak riverside where plentiful river weed coming up, 17 Phonxay 192 1,102 37 183 9 and qite easy for the villagers to collect it for making crispy river weed. At present the villagers mainly make a living by rice farming, trading, gardening and producing crispy river weed for commercial business. Th is makes river weed not enough for their need, so, they have to buy it from many areas for their crispy river weed production. The villagers are Lao ethnicity, made settlement in this village for many generations already. Settled on Nam Khane riverside , convenient for fish catching (fishing), collecting river weed for family consumption. The riparian soil is very fertile, suitable for agricultural cultivation. There is abundant NTFP 18 Done Moh 214 99 09 186 44 3 facilitating collecting for utilization in daily life. The village people have occupation in rice farming, animal husbandry, crispy river weed production and small trade business. Befor 197 this location was a military camp which some families of soldiers lived there. After the nation had been liberated , offices of department, division and units were established and the families of government staff, soldiers and policemen ca me to live there, comprising of ethnicity, they are Lao, 19 Pak Khan 127 646 324 Keummu, Hmong ethnicity. Those families persuaded their friend and relatives coming to build houses to live there together. Later on, this village was established. Mostly, the village has families of government staff, officials, soldiers, policemen . A number of families have occupations in trade business, farming, animal husbandry, and some are initiating to make crispy river weed. Established around 200 years or so. Firstly, it was founded by Mr. Xieng Ngeun. Most of village people came from the top part of upstream area of Nam 20 Xieng Ngeun 191 970 481 170 21 Khan river. Now the village people have occupations in trade business. Established around 300 years or so. The villagers are members of Yuan ethnicity moving from Xieng Saen because of Burmese aggressive war. They accompanied Chao Anouvong (King Anouvong) downwards to Luang Prabang, then Chao Anouvong offerred them to the King of Luang P rabang (name is unknown). Firstly they had 10 families altogether came to live at Na Khong village. After certain period of time there was esrious de cease occurance two 21 Pak Vaed 181 864 442 181 times. So, they separated from each other, and went to live in diddferent villages like Kasy, Na Nouan, Hard Kheeb, Kok Vane, Na Tane, Long-or, and some of them came to settle on Houay Ed riverside. So, this village is named “Pak Vaed village”. Now the occupations of villagers are small trade business, gardening and making crispy river weed. Established around 300 years, or so. The people are members of Yuan ethnicity who migrated from Xien Saen because of Burmese aggressive war. They came to settle in Houay Moud area, so, the village got the name « Moud village ». This village has abundance of forest resources, aquatic animals, and 22 Moud 160 77 379 160 river weed. But in last 3 years the river weed is not available as resulted from hydropower dam construction. So, the villagers did n’t have raw river weed for making crispy river weed. Presently they have occupations in gardening, rice farming and small trade business. Established 17 years ago. The people were gathered in 1998 (from Simoungkhoun of Xieng Ngeun district, Pha Thoung village, Ph a Leme village). Initially 23 Souanluang 322 1,877 941 126 117 79 there was only 3 families. Their main occupations are gardening, animal raising and samll trade business. Established about 100 years or so. The people are members of Yuan ethnicity migrated from Xieng Saen district of Chian Rai pr ovince, Kindom of Thailand. They came to settle in Xieng Hone, Xieng Lom areas; and a number of people came from Na La, Na Khoune, Na Xao, Na Pho in Xaiyaburi province. Later on, Uncle Nan Vong and Nan Eun led those families to wander along the Nam Khan river until they arrived at a location called « Bouam 24 Long-or 137 702 36 Or ». Thy found that it is a nice location so, they decided to make settlement on this location and gave the name to this village as « Long-or village ». The main occupations of the villagers are doing orchards (fruit-tree plantations), vegetable gardening along the shore of Khan river, animal husbandry and some people making crispy river weed for sales.

37 TT. nr. of Population Ethnicity (h/h o. ame of village Village profile h/h Total F Lao Khmu Mong This village was established about 200 years ago. Initially, they were people living in some 40 families, most of which migra ted from Long Laed and 2 Aensavanh 100 2 297 7 43 Houayseng villages of Phonxay district, and from Hang Na village of Xieng Ngeun district. Main occupation of the villagers are vegetable gardening and animal husbandry as well as doing small trade business. Total 4,189 21,326 10,726 3,653 409 127 Data source: Provincial Lao women union, LPB province, 201

Annex 2 Experiences and People’s Methodology of Crispy river weed production Experiences related to Production process o. ame of village aw river weed selection method aw river weed & Crispy river weed keeping Production Methodology Ingredients River weed of slippery type with nice - - As for raw river weed there isn’t method of long-term Beat ing, cleansing the river weed then laying on the grass tray then Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, looking green color keeping yet. paste the spice sauce on the sheet, and sprinkle sesame on the sheet tomato, dry garlic, salt, seasoning powder, as 1 Xienglome - As for crispy river weed sheet, just pack in plastic bag, then pasting with smashed tomato and garlic sauce. for ginger and galanga will be put upon the tie firmly to prevent air from inhering the bag. It can customer’s order. be kept for use until new production season. Slippery river weed type with nice - - Lacking experince in keeping raw river weed for a Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, looking green color, and should the one long-term use; overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, salt, seasoning powder. As from Nam Khan river. sauce and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface for ginger and galanga, this will be put upon the 2 Nounsavath - Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo customer’s order. the bag, it can be kept until the new season of basketing plate. prodcution. River weed of slippery type is selected, - Never keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Beating and cleanssing the raw river weed, and wash in the bamboo Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, should be inice-looking green, and weed production. basketing tray again, then overlay on the grass tray, pasting the tomato, dry garlic, salt, seasoning powder. As should be the one from Khan river, prepared spice sauce on the sheet, then sprinkle sesame, and decorate for ginger and galanga, this will be put upon the 3 Phiknoy - Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in nicely produced and customers prefer. plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into the surface with smashed garlic and tomato, then dry in the sun. customer’s order. the bag, it can be kept until the new season of prodcution. River weed of slippery type is selected, - Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, nice-looking green. weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, salt, seasoning powder. As - Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in sauce and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface for ginger and galanga, this will be put upon the 4 Pha-Oh plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo customer’s order. the bag, it can be kept until the new season of basketing plate. prodcution.

Early period of the year River weed of - Dry raw river weed is kept in plastic bags by tying Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, slippery typeis selected, river weed of firmly, then use for production during period when overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, ginger, salt, seasoning coarse type is selected in period of raw river weed is unavailable. sauce and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface powder. Sanok Novemver- December; Jan- May select - Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo river weed of slippery type with nice- plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into basketing plate. looking green colour. the bag, it can be kept until the new season of production. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Beating and cleanssing the raw river weed, and wash in the bamboo Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, 6 Bouamvane weed. basketing tray again, then overlay on the grass tray, pasting the tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt,

38 Experiences related to Production process o. ame of village aw river weed selection method aw river weed & Crispy river weed keeping Production Methodology Ingredients -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in prepared spice sauce on the sheet, then sprinkle sesame, and decorate seasoning powder and Knor. plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into the surface with smashed garlic and tomato, then dry in the sun. the bag, it can be kept until the new season of prodcution. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt, 7 Sop Houn suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the face before seasoning powder. drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo basketing plate. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt, -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the face before seasoning powder. 8 Pak Bak plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo basketing the bag, it can be kept until the new season of plate. prodcution. Eerly period of year river weed of -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, coarse type is selected, until the season weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt, 9 Nongkhieo of the slippery type coming up, usually suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the face before seasoning powder. river weed of slippery type with nice- drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo basketing looking green colour is selected. plate. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt, -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface seasoning powder. 10 Nakhone plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo the bag, it can be kept until the new season of basketing plate. prodcution. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt, 11 Nam La suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface seasoning powder. before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo basketing plate. Selecting the river weed type: early -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, period of the year, selecing river weed weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt, of coarse type around October; -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface seasoning powder. 12 Fah - Early November to May, selecting plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo river weed of slippery type. the bag, it can be kept until the new season of basketing plate. prodcution. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, galanga, ginger, salt, -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface seasoning powder. 13 Lee plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo the bag, it can be kept until the new season of basketing plate. prodcution. River weed of slippery type with nice - -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and c leanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesa me, olive, tamarind, looking green colour weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, salt, seasoning powder. As 14 Phonxay -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the face before for ginger and galanga, this will be put upon the plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo basketing customer’s order.

39 Experiences related to Production process o. ame of village aw river weed selection method aw river weed & Crispy river weed keeping Production Methodology Ingredients the bag, it can be kept until the new season of plate. prodcution. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, shallot, galanga, salt, 1 Pak Khan -Not yet having method of keeping CRW for sales in suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface seasoning powder. long time. before drying in the sun. But now they overlay it on the bamboo basketing plate. River weed of slippery type -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, shallot, galanga, salt, 16 Xieng Ngeun -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept by putting in suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface seasoning powder. plastic bags and tie firmly to prevent air from go into before drying in the sun. But now they overlay (spread) it on the the bag. bamboo basketing plate. River weed of slippery type is selected. -Raw river weed can be kept in refrigerator for about 2 - At present, CRW is made by tearing and spreading on the grass tray, Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, 3 days. filtering the boiled spice sauce water, then paste on the CRW sheet tomato, dry garlic, galanga, salt, seasoning -Crispy river weed sheet can be kept in plastic bags, tie surface, then decorate the sheet surface by sprinkling sesame, and powder. 17 Pak Vaed the bags firmly. smashed garlic mixed with tomato. Some families spread river weed on bamboo basketing tray (phuan). Comparing between spreading on grass tray and on bamboo basketing tray, the latter method gives more sheets. River weed of slippery type with nice - -Nver keep raw river weed for processing crispy river Previously, the river weed is beaten and cleanedthen spread out to Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, looking green color. weed. overlay on grass tray, then pasted the sheet with the prepared spice tomato, dry garlic, shallot, galanga, salt, 18 Moud -Crispy river weed sheets can be kept in plastic bags, tie suace and sprinkle sesame on the sheet and decorate the surface seasoning powder. the bags firmly. before drying in the sun. But now they overlay (spread) it on the bamboo basketing plate. River weed of slippery type with nice - -Not yet having method of keeping raw river weed for Beating and cleansing raw river weed, then tear and spread on a piece Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tama rind, looking green color. making CRW in long time. of thin cloth, then filter the boiled spice sauce water, then paste on tomato, dry garlic, salt, seasoning powder. As 19 Souanluang surface ofCRW sheet before drying in the sun for tomato, this will be put upon the customer’s order. River weed of slippery type with nice - -Not yet having method of keeping raw river weed for Beating and cleansing RCW, then tear and overlay on the grass tray, Raw river weed, sesame, olive, t amarind, looking green color. making CRW in long time. then paste the prepared spice sauce on the CRW sheet surface, sprinkle tomato, dry garlic, onion, galanga, salt, 20 Long-or sesame on the surface, decorate the surface then dry the CRW sheet in seasoning powder. the sun. River weed of slippery type and Puffy -Not yet having method of keeping raw river weed for Beating and cleansing raw river weed, then tear and spread on a piece Raw river weed, sesame, olive, tamarind, type with nice-looking green colour is making CRW in long time. of thin cloth, then filter the boiled spice sauce water, then paste on tomato, dry garlic, sallot, galanga, salt, 21 Aensavanh selected. surface ofCRW sheet, sprinkle sesame, decorate the surface with seasoning powder. smashed garlic and tomato before take it to dry in the sun. Data source : Provincial Lao women union , LPB province 201

40