Different Directions:The farming dichotomy

in Laos

Overview

Dichotomy: a division into two mutually exclusive, opposed or contradictory groups

ie. two different directions

Three perspectives on the farming dichotomy in Laos: Agro-Ecology: Green or Brown Political-Economy: Small-scale or Industrial Social-cultural: Farmers or Labourers

Agro-Ecology

Characteristics of the different directions:

Green Brown

Diversity MonoculturesLow external inputs Chemical dependentLabour intensive Mechanized

Agro-Ecology

this or this?

Agro-Ecology

Some trends: Area under brown agriculture continues to expand There are growing concerns about sustainability Studies and pilots are being carried out, but we

are dealing with ‘wicked problems’ Observation:

Re labour: a major constraint to promotion of sustainable agriculture is that almost all improved practices require more time and effort. The reason herbicides have been adopted is because they make it possible to cultivate larger areas.

Political-Economy

Characteristics of the different directions:

Small-scale Industrial

Inefficient ProductiveLocal markets Export drivenFarmer organisations Crony capitalism

Political-Economy

this or this?

Political -EconomySome trends:

The World Bank has made a strong pitch for reducing number of workers in the agric. sector

Greater regional integration is likely to favour bigger players

Donors and NGOs are supporting FOs, the leadership has other ideas

Observation: Re FO development: there is a big difference between

organising farmers and farmers organising. A lot of the former is happening, much less of the later. And one doesn’t naturally lead to the other.

Socio-Cultural

Characteristics of the different directions:

Farmer Labourer

Indigenous knowledge Vocational skillsFood producer Food consumerSettled Mobile

Socio-Cultural

this or this?

Socio-CulturalSome trends:

Cultural erosion is happening at a rapid pace, including loss of ITK

Spread of ICT is creating access to new knowledge and networks

It’s not clear who the winners and losers are, but ethnic women are vulnerable in this transition.

Observation: Re FSN: development agencies still coming to terms with

the changing roles of farmers. Many of our approaches to nutrition were developed with subsistence farmers in mind, but perhaps the home-gardens-and-small-livestock route is less appropriate for commercial producers.

Concluding observations Much of the development community in Laos is ‘swimming against

the tide’. We are working with a minority of small farmers to support

enclaves of green agriculture, which are surrounded by a brown industrial landscape.

Perhaps we should accept that we are no longer a ‘driver of change’, and pay more attention to mitigation efforts that will reduce negative impacts for the majority of rural people.

For example: Campaigning on safe and effective use of agri-chemicals Networking among farmer organisations to strengthen their bargaining

power Investigating rights violation for migrant/plantation workers Improving measures for control of animal health epidemics Development of new strategies for improving nutrition of rural workers

Thank You