systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...
systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...
systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...
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12% shallow rainfed (0-50 cm), and 4% intermediate rainfed (50-100 cm)<br />
(Table 3) (Huke and Huke 1990).<br />
Multiple cropping <strong>systems</strong><br />
In Cambodia and Lao PDR, very little area is planted to a second rice crop,<br />
<strong>the</strong>refore, cropping intensity is very low. It is not known how much of <strong>the</strong> rainfed<br />
lowland rice area is planted to secondary crops after rice. Under upland conditions,<br />
land is usually left fallow after a single rice crop. However, limited cropping of<br />
mungbean and soybean has been observed in Cambodia (Nesbitt, 1991, pers.<br />
commun. ).<br />
In nor<strong>the</strong>rn Vietnam <strong>the</strong> dominant cropping pattern is spring-summer rice. In<br />
<strong>the</strong> Mekong River Delta, rice is produced during three major cropping seasons:<br />
Dong Xuan (winter-s ring), He Thu (summer-autumn or midseason), and Mua (wet<br />
season; long duration 7 .<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r crops have high potential in Indochina: sugarcane, coconut, sugar<br />
palm, pineapple, banana, orange, and o<strong>the</strong>r fruit crops. In addition, niungbean,<br />
sweet potato, soybean, and groundnut are important crops.<br />
FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH<br />
Integrated farming traditions are thousands of years old in Indochina, but are not<br />
fully reflected in production or in institutional support to agricultural production.<br />
Increased production of rice and increased productivity of rice-based farming<br />
<strong>systems</strong>, remain primary goals of <strong>the</strong> national plans in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and<br />
Vietnam. Crop selection has been guided by national policies and plans that stress<br />
rice production. Consequently, crop diversification has not occurred to any<br />
significant extent. During <strong>the</strong> past three decades, <strong>the</strong> development of farming<br />
<strong>systems</strong> <strong>research</strong> has mainly occurred in Vietnam, which is <strong>the</strong> focus of this section.<br />
Achievements<br />
There have been various programs and projects to support development plans and<br />
strategies in farming <strong>systems</strong> <strong>research</strong>. In <strong>the</strong> Red River Delta, where rice is <strong>the</strong><br />
dominant crop, short season varieties were introduced to enable farmers to grow a<br />
third crop (e.g., sweet potato, potato, or vegetables). A system of raising livestock<br />
(garden + fish pond + animal house) has been introduced under <strong>the</strong> household<br />
system. Rural industries and handicrafts have been emphasized for nonagricultural<br />
laborers, but difficulties were encountered because of lack of materials and<br />
marketing.