3 Current trends in NTFP gathering in uplands of Lao PDR - TABI

Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
Non-Timber Forest Products for Poverty Reduction and Shifting
Cultivation Stabilization in the Uplands of Lao PDR
Paper prepared for the NAFRI Workshop on Poverty Reduction and Shifting
Cultivation Stabilization in the Uplands of Lao PDR: Technologies, approaches
and methods for improving upland livelihoods, January 27-30, 2004.
Authors: Joost Foppes 1 and Sounthone Ketphanh 2
Abstract:
Gathering of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) is as important for human livelihoods in the
uplands of Lao PDR as agriculture and livestock. NTFPs provide food security and they are the
main source of cash income for people who live in the uplands. Key trends in NTFP gathering are
analyzed. NTFPs are promising for the development of forest-based rural micro-enterprises as a
strategy for poverty alleviation. NTFPs also provide a good entry point to community based land
use planning, land allocation and management. This bears consequences for the way upland
development interventions (by Government and donor-supported projects/programs) should be
designed.
Many NTFPs are derived from the mosaic of forests an fallows created by shifting cultivation. A
case is made for the development of long-cycle NTFP production systems that are suited to the
ecology of the uplands in Lao PDR, as a strategy to stabilize shifting cultivation, protect
watersheds and conserve biodiversity of wild and cultivated species of plants and animals.
1 Introduction
In the uplands of Lao PDR, shifting cultivation systems have been the
predominant systems of land use and livelihood for centuries. Literature on
shifting cultivation tends to emphasize the agricultural component of the system.
Fallow vegetation and regenerating forests are described mainly as factors
contributing to crop production in terms of soil fertility, weed suppression and
erosion prevention. Much less emphasis is given to the role of gathering of forest
products as a part of upland livelihood systems and the productivity of shifting
cultivation systems in terms of forest products.
Over the last ten years, a body of evidence has emerged on the importance of
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in rural livelihoods in Lao PDR. NTFPs are
especially important for families in the uplands, most of whom practice shifting
cultivation. Their “pre-occupation” with gathering and hunting can be observed
from several angles:
• The role of NTFPs in livelihoods of upland people
• Time spent on gathering NTFPs, compared to time spent on agriculture
• The role of NTFPs in local knowledge and belief systems
1 Mr. Foppes works for SNV, the Netherlands Development Organisation, attached as NTFP
adviser to the Forest Research Centre. Website: Email: jfoppes@loxinfo.com For more
information on SNV, please consult the SNV website: www.snvworld.org
2 Mr. Sounthone is the head of the NTFP section of the Forest Research Centre, National
Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Dong Dok, Vientiane. Email:
sounthone53@yahoo.com
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
• The way in which shifting cultivators create a wide diversity of ecosystems
that produce a great genetic variety of NTFPs and upland crops
Each of these aspects is briefly examined in chapter 2, leading to the conclusion
that there is a need for a different view on shifting cultivation, especially if the
benefits of NTFPs gathering are added to the equation. Shifting cultivation is not
necessarily a bad practice to be abandoned, but rather an energy-efficient system
providing a highly diversified livelihood pattern. Chapter 3 examines the key
trends that are causing changes to shifting cultivation in the uplands of Lao PDR
and their impact on rural livelihoods and the environment. Left unchecked, these
trends could lead to a rapid increase in poverty and a loss of natural resources
and biodiversity. Chapter 4 examines how NTFPs can provide a vehicle for
sustainable upland development. Shifting cultivation can be modified into long
fallow rotational upland production systems. NTFPs are also a good entry point
for community based forest management and a good basis for income generation,
poverty alleviation and private sector development. Chapter 5 concludes how
these strategies could be applied by extension agencies/projects, researchers and
policy makers.
2 The importance of NTFP gathering versus agriculture
in shifting cultivation systems
2.1 The role of NTFPs in the upland family economy
The mosaic landscape of the uplands of Lao PDR results from a long history of
shifting cultivation. It consists of a variety of forests and fallows, which produce
a great amount of valuable NTFPs, providing a basis for export and cash income
for rural families (see box 1). Roughly 70% of Lao people live in the uplands,
around half of these are practising shifting cultivation in some form or another,
often in combination with other farming systems (UNDP 2002).
Box 1: Typical NTFPs exported from Lao PDR, found in fallows derived from shifting
cultivation, with an estimate of the export volume per product per year.
1 broom grass (Thysanolaema maxima), exported to Thailand to make brooms, 200 ton/year
2 sweet palm fruits (Arenga westerhouttii), exported to Thailand to make sweets, 600ton/year
3 paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), exported to Thailand to make paper, 500 ton/year
4 benzoin (Styrax tonkinensis), exported to France for perfume industry, 50 tons/year
5 peuak meuak (Boehmeria malabarica), exported to China to make glue and joss-sticks, 700 ton/year
6 eaglewood (Aquilaria sp.), exported to Middle East as incense, 20 ton/year
7 bitter bamboo (Indosasa chinensis), exported to China as fresh edible shoots, 200 ton/year
8 cardamom (Amomum sp.). exported to China as medicine, 500 ton/year
(Source: Foppes & Ketphanh, 2000)
Table 2 presents estimates for rural family cash income from NTFPs from a
number of recent publications. Annual family cash income from NTFPs varies
from $69-127, averaging around 45% of family cash income.
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
However, cash income is only a minor part of the total family income. Most of the
crops and products collected by Lao families from nature are directly consumed
by the family, without entering the cash economy. Table 3 shows some estimates
of this subsistence use or non-cash family income.
Table 2: Family cash income from NTFPs per year in four province, various sources (values
recalculated to US$ equivalents to compensate currency changes of Lao kip (LAK), over time).
Location Khammouan Sayabouri Luang Prabang Sekong
Year of data collection 1997 2001 2001 2003
No of villages sampled 5 12 16 3
Cash income per family per year $ $ 170 n.a. $ 259 $ 155
NTFP cash income $ $ 69 n.a. $ 127 $ 12
NTFP cash income % 41% 44% 49% 8%
livestock cash income % 32% 8% 23% 0%
other cash income % 27% 46% 18% 92%
Sources: Khammouan: (Foppes and Ketphanh 2000), Sayabouri: (Foppes, Phoutharath et al.
2001) Luang Prabang: (Yokoyama 2003) Sekong: (Rosales, Kallesoe et al. 2003).
Table 3: Two estimates of cash and non-cash income per family per year of rural upland
households, with special emphasis on the role of NTFP gathering (origingal values were converted
to US$ equivalents to compensate for currency changes of Lao kip (LAK) over time).
Location Khammouan (5 villages Sekong (3 villages)
Year 1997 2003
Cash income per family per year $ 170 155
NTFP cash income $ 69 12
NTFP cash income % 41% 8%
livestock cash income % 32% 0%
other cash income % 27% 92%
Non-cash income/family/year $ 519 815
NTFPs for subsistence $ 200 359
NTFPs for subsistence % 39% 44%
Rice production 46% 32%
Firewood 8% 6%
Other subsistence use 7% 18%
Total cash/non-cash income $ 689 971
cash income % 25% 16%
non-cash income % 75% 84%
from NTFPs $ 269 398
from NTFPs % 39% 41%
Expenditures for rice buying $ 111 87
Rice buying as % of cash income 65% 56%
Sources: Khammouan: (Foppes and Ketphanh 2000), Sekong: (Rosales, Kallesoe et al. 2003).
It is remarkable that non-cash income contributes up to 75-84% of total family
income, cash income only 16-25%. NTFPs provide up to half of this non-cash
income, with an equivalent value of $269-398 per family per year, even in a place
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
like Sekong, where NTFPs are not the main source of cash income, but coffee
plantations.
NTFPs contribute 39-44% of non-cash income, equivalent to about $200-359 per
family per year. The other main element of subsistence consumption is rice. It is
interesting to note that more than half of all cash income is used to buy rice, as
many upland families cannot produce enough rice to feed their families.
The link between NTFPs and food security deserves special mention (see box 2).
Box 2: Forest foods and food security
Food security is the overwhelming concern of most rural families in Lao PDR. Especially in hilly areas,
where people are dependent on upland rice cultivation, most families are unable to produce enough
rice to feed their family all year round. The main coping strategies of poor families are:
• Complementing the diet with forest foods
• Selling NTFPs to buy rice
• Borrowing rice and paying back in labor
A study on consumption of forest foods in three villages in Salavan province showed that:
• Food security is an acute concern of most families in the study area
• All families in the three villages collect forest foods on a daily basis
• Villagers consume a great variety of forest foods, both animal and plant products
• Forest foods are the most important source of food besides rice
Forest foods provide unique advantages as a coping strategy for poor people:
• Availability and dependability
• Diversity (e.g. in the Nakai area, 223 of a total of 306 NTFPs were forest foods, see Foppes
e.a., 1997)
• Nutritional values
• Economic and cultural values
• Forest foods can substitute rice in times of great hunger
• Forest foods can be exchanged for money to buy rice and avoid debt
(Source: Clendon, 2000))
From the above, it seems reasonable to conclude that:
• NTFPs contribute as much if not more than agriculture and livestock to
family incomes of upland families in Lao PDR, most of whom are involved
in shifting cultivation;
• The large amount of NTFPs used for subsistence indicates a strong link
between NTFPs and food security (see also Clendon, 2001). NTFPs are
also a key coping mechanism for the poorest families in times of need.
• Non-cash income or subsistence use is much larger than cash income in
the family economy of upland farmers.
2.2 Time spent on gathering NTFPs and on agriculture
Several studies have estimated time spent on agriculture among shifting
cultivating families in Lao PDR. A recent study in Phongsaly cites an average
input of 210 mandays per family per year (Baudran 1999). There are not many
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
studies available on labour inputs for gathering of NTFPs, which seems to
indicate a research gap. A recent study on harvesting of bitter bamboo shoots in
Oudomxay quotes an average labour input per family of 195 mandays (Morris
and Ketphanh 2002). The harvesting season for bitter bamboos is from
December to April, only four months.
The same families also harvest cardamom, tout tiang bark, red mushrooms,
broom grass commercially during other months of the year. For subsistence use,
families need to collect palm leaves, bamboos, rattans etc for house construction
and tools. Besides that every family has to collect firewood, vegetables, small
water animals (fish, frogs, shells, crabs) and other food products for cooking
every day. It seems reasonable to conclude that the total amount of time spent on
gathering per family per year must be greater than the time spent on agriculture
and livestock.
2.3 NTFPs, local knowledge systems and genetic diversity
People who practice shifting cultivation in uplands of Lao PDR can easily
enumerate hundreds of NTFPs they gather from forests, fallows, wetlands
(Foppes, Phoutharath et al. 2001).
These “repertoires of knowledge” are one of the more visible parts of local
knowledge systems, developed and maintained by local people over centuries.
Other aspects of local knowledge systems are agricultural production and
resource management systems, beliefs and rituals and modes of thought. There is
a growing recognition among social scientists that these local knowledge systems
are essential for sustainable development. They advocate that local knowledge
systems are a key factor explaining the vast genetic diversity of plants and
animals found in uplands of Southeast Asia (Santasombat 2003).
Shifting cultivation systems are regarded as the most energy-efficient agricultural
sytems in the world, where 5-50 units of food energy are obtained for each unit o
of energy expended. In contrast, industrialised agriculture with large fossil fuel
energy inputs need about 5-10 units of fuel energy to produce one energy unit pf
food (Ramakrishnan 1992).
A good example of genetic diversity created by local knowledge is the recent
discovery that Lao PDR is the world’s leading gene pool for rice (see box 3). Local
shifting cultivators turn out to be the main producers of this genetic variety in
rice. Likewise, one could argue that shifting cultivators have actively maintained
a wide variety of wild products in the landscape by the practices of shifting
cultivation and gathering of NTFPs.
Local knowledge systems and local practices such as shifting cultivation, NTFP
gathering and genetic variety of upland rice, should not be regarded negatively.
Government, researchers and development agencies need to rethink the role of
shifting cultivation and local knowledge systems, as part of the solution for a
sustainable use of uplands, NTFPs and the preservation of genetic resources.
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
Box 3: Shifting cultivators as producers of genetic diversity
Researchers of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have recently identified
over 13,000 local varieties of rice cultivated in Lao PDR (Appa Rao 2000). The only other
country in the world to have a similar variety of rice is India, which covers a much larger
area and many more ecosystems than Lao PDR. This makes Lao PDR the world’s most
important gene pool of rice in the world.
The vast majority of these local rice varieties in Lao PDR are glutinous or “sticky” rice
varieties, mostly grown as a staple food in uplands under shifting cultivation. These
varieties were not produced by sophisticated modern researchers, but by local people of
various ethnic groups, practising shifting cultivation in the uplands of Lao PDR. Among
these, women are the main managers and decision makers on rice breeding.
Now these varieties are regarded as a valuable genetic resource for the entire world. This
raises the question, how these varieties should best be conserved. Specialists in
agricultural biodiversity argue that the best way to preserve local varieties is by
preserving the agricultural systems and people that produced these varieties (Gemmil
2001).
For Lao PDR, this would actually mean that the Government would need to preserve and
maintain various ethnic groups living in the uplands, practising shifting cultivation, to keep
this large number of rice varieties intact over time. This poses an interesting new policy
perspective, in relation to the existing policies towards shifting cultivation.
2.4 How shifting cultivation produces a wide range of NTFPs
Shifting cultivation produces a landscape consisting of a mosaic of vegetation
types, representing fallows and forests in various stages of regeneration (Pollini
and Lamxay 1999). Each of these vegetation types produces its own specific set of
harvestable products, or NTFPs (see table 3).
Table 3: Typical vegetation types of uplands of Lao PDR and the products
gathered from them (Adapted from Pollini and Lamxay, 1999).
Vegetation type Age of vegetation Products collected
Upland rice field 0-1 years 7,000 or so rice varieties, 40-60
other crops
Young herbaceous fallow 1-4 years Vegetables, grass for animal
grazing, grass for thatch
Permanent grasslands 5 years and older Grass for animal raising
Young secondary forest 5-15 years Cardamom, tout tiang bark, mak
kha fruits
Bamboo forests 5 years and older Edible bamboo shoots, bamboo
canes
Old secondary forest Over 15 years Timber, rattans.
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
Not all NTFPs are collected from mature forests, many NTFPs are collected from
young fallows, from grasslands and wetlands as well. It would seem fair to
assume that the variety of NTFPs is bigger in a mosaic of vegetation type, as
produced by shifting cultivation, than in a landscape covered by one type of
vegetation (crop fields, mature forest) only.
The dynamics of fallow vegetations, how they depend on fallow length, soil type,
slope aspect, previous vegetation etc, are still little documented and poorly
understood. In a case study from Luang Nam Tha, three types of grass fallows
can be distinguished, only one will develop into woody fallows, which become
secondary forests over time. As cultivation intensifies, the other two, more
permanent grass fallows start to become more common (Pollini and Lamxay
1999).
However in another case study in the province of Phongsaly, not far from Luang
Nam Tha, local people report an increase of forest fallows and a reduction of
grasslands over the past fifty years (Baudran 1999). This increase of forest land
in Phongsaly could well be a result of the settlement of Akha (also known as Ikho
or Kho) people. Akha people in neighboring northern Thailand are reported to
have a habit of regenerating forests for practical and religious purposes
(Santasombat 2003).
More research would seem urgently needed, as it would help us to understand
better how to manage upland forest landscapes. E.g. collectors of edible bitter
bamboo shoots would like to understand better why bitter bamboo forests
suddenly spring up in some places after shifting cultivation and why not in
others. Such knowledge might make it easier to stimulate the natural generation
of these economically lucrative bamboo plots.
3 Current trends in NTFP gathering in uplands of Lao
PDR
NTFP gathering in Lao PDR has changed more rapidly in the last ten years than
in any other period of Lao history. The main factors causing these changes are
evolving markets for NTFPs, population growth, forest conversion for
commercial purposes and Government policies directed at upland use. This
section reviews the main impacts of these key factors on NTFP gathering.
3.1 Evolving markets for NTFPs
Various studies report an increasing trade in NTFPs to neighbouring countries:
China, Vietnam and Thailand (Yokoyama 2003), (Sayakhoumane and Bott
2002). Exports of NTFPs from Lao PDR amount up to several million dollars per
year. Typical products include:
• medicinal for the Chinese medicine market: cardamom (Amomum spp.),
malva nuts, (Scaphium or Sterculia lychnophora), orchid stems
(Dendrobium spp.)
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
• aromatic barks and woods for used for the production of incense and
perfumes: eaglewood (Aquilaria spp.), barks of Boehmeria malabarica,
various Lauraceae species containing saffrol
• food products: sugar palm fruits(Thailand), fresh off-season bitter bamboo
shoots (China)
• fiber products: e.g. bamboo and rattan (Vietnam)
Trends in the commercial use of NTFPs are:
• Prices are staying low as markets are volatile and non-transparent
• Prices are staying low because most products are sold raw, without any
processing or quality control
• Lack of legislative framework to support sustainable trade in NTFPs. A
recent report outlines recommendations how to fill this gap (Sigaty 2003).
• Increased gathering for trade leads to a rapid exhaustion of natural stocks
for some NTFPs, e.g. agarwood, Aquilaria sp. or aromatic barks of
Lauraceae spp. such as “bong” bark.
• Increased demand for NTFPs starts to result in commercial plantation of
economically attractive species, e.g. cardamom (Amomum spp.) and bong
bark (Persea kurzii).
3.2 Population growth
With an estimated population growth of 3.5 % per year, the population of Lao
PDR can be expected to double in twenty years (Foppes, Jenkins et al. 1993).
Without emigration or changes to more intensive land use systems, this
population pressure will lead to a shortening of fallow periods, to the extent that
shifting cultivation will no longer be possible and natural supplies of NTFPs will
disappear. Local communities often report declines in availability of NTFPs over
the past ten years or so (see box 4).
Box 4: Example of declining NTFP resources due to increased population pressure
Forest dwelling communities can make a good estimate of declines in off-takes of NTFPs. The village of Ban
Nong Hin, Champasak, developed management systems that vary from rotational harvesting rattans to
prohibited fishing seasons or total hunting bans for certain species of wildlife.
Changes in off-takes per effort units for 3 key NTFP's over the last 10 years (1989-1999), assessed by
villagers of Ban Nong Hin, Champasak, 17/2/99. (Source: Foppes & Ketphanh, 2000).
NTFP 10 years ago Today
Wildlife Plenty of wildlife: turtles, monitor lizards,
deer, snakes, jungle fowl, other birds. You
could easily hunt them in your backyard.
There was no outside market, no selling.
Only our village hunted (9 families only).
Fish You could catch 4-5 kg within 1 hour. There
were only 9 families. No selling, no
destructive methods used, only traps and
nets.
Rattan In 1 day, you could get 300 stems, or as
many as a man can carry. We used to also
have big diameter rattan, now only small
diameter species.
Many species disappeared: turtle, deer, jungle fowl,
birds. You can walk for 48 hours and still not get
anything. Market demand is big, prices are getting
higher (1 mouse-deer costs 12,000 kip). Many outsiders
come to hunt in our forest. Village has 57 families now.
You can not even get 0.5 kg in 1 hour. There is not
enough to feed all our 57 families. Strong outside
market (2,500 kip/kg). Destructive methods used by
outsiders: explosives, guns, poison. Decline: 90%
You can only get 20-30 stems in a day. Harvesting has
intensified over the last 2 years. 1 stem sells for
200kip. We know there is no quota but we need to sell
anyhow. Decline: 90%.
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
It is difficult to obtain a clear picture of the population dynamics in the uplands.
The challenge remains to find out how conservation of upland resources can be
combined with such a rapid population increase.
In chapter 2, we made a case for sustainable management of NTFPs in the wild.
This is an essential strategy, aimed at preserving the nation’s biological and
genetic resources. Yet it is also obvious that Lao PDR’s natural resources alone
will not be able to provide enough NTFPs for the needs of tomorrow’s population.
Additional production of NTFPs will have to be provided from NTFP gardens and
plantations. More research is needed to develop these plantations, building on
existing local knowledge.
3.3 Deforestation and NTFPs
Shifting cultivation is often blamed for being the main cause of deforestation. Yet
several studies have pointed out that commercial logging and conversion of
forests for commercial plantations (rubber, coffee) are the main causes of
destruction of primary forests in Lao PDR (Ducortieux 2000; Worldbank 2001).
Shifting cultivation is often practiced on secondary forests. Shifting cultivators
sometimes produce more forests than they destroy (Santasombat 2003). Our
perspective on shifting cultivation vis-à-vis deforestation may need to be
redefined. As one author states: “The inclusion of slash and burn agriculture in
the debate on deforestation minimises the role of timber concessions and places
the blame on farmers, who cannot defend themselves” (Ducortieux 2000).
Deforestation for commercial use often destroys the NTFP resources which local
communities used to rely on for food security. In view of the volatile nature of the
markets for plantation crops such as rubber and coffee, one should ask how the
loss of these NTFP resources compares economically to the risks and gains of
these plantations. Studies on costs/benefits and environmental/social impacts
are urgently needed, e.g. in the province of Luang Nam Tha, were thousands of
hectares of primary forest have been converted to rubber plantations in 2003. All
stakeholders should be informed of the outcome of such studies should be shared
with all stakeholders.
3.4 Impact of Government policies on upland NTFP availability
Impacts of certain Government policies on livelihoods of upland farmers have
been reported elsewhere. The main impact on NTFP harvesting seems to be that
policies on reduction of shifting cultivation and land allocation reduce the area of
fallow land producing NTFPs. Land allocation policies may need to revised to
allow village communities to practice long fallow rotational systems that provide
them with the maximum range of NTFPs in a sustainable way (NAFRI LSUAFRP
2003).
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
4 NTFP-based options for sustainable upland
development
In the preceding chapters we reviewed the role of NTFPs in upland development,
as well as the main trends affecting that role. It seems that NTFPs provide a very
good starting point for:
• Maintaining a “social safety net” system for poor upland families
• Community based management of natural resources
• Private Sector Development based on forest products
• Plantations of commercial NTFPs for economic development
Some key strategies for each of these development options are presented here.
4.1 Maintaining basic food security for poor families
Strategies for maintaining the food security and coping strategy role of NTFPs for
poor rural families include:
� Put NTFP activities central in livelihood based strategies
� Apply rapid appraisal tools to identify role of NTFPs in livelihoods and
equity
� Protect access to forest resources for poor families to ensure their food
security
� Promote NTFP agendas as a “must-have” for every rural development
program at province/ district/ community level
� Include NTFP use indicators and criteria in livelihood assessment studies
� Apply economic forest valuation studies to rural development policy
development
4.2 Village-based management of wild NTFPs in natural forests
Strategies for NTFP based community land use planning and biodiversity
conservation include:
� Find what people are using the forest for and issues in this use, then
facilitate a process for solving these issues by agreeing on sustainable use
rules per product, rather than for the entire forest
� In land allocation, not only to focus on demarcation of areas but to
facilitate agreements on the use of specific products inside forest areas
� Develop frameworks for dealing with the use of one forest block by
multiple villages at sub-district level
� Build on local concerns about exhaustion of NTFPs for income, to engage
local communities in using their local knowledge to preserve biodiversity
4.3 NTFPs as a basis for Private Sector Development
Strategies for improving NTFP based private sector trade and industries include:
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
� Strengthening local communities to organize NTFP production and
marketing groups entrepreneurs by organizing producer associations
� Improving business support services for rural micro enterprises
� Strengthen associations of producers and traders at province/national
level
� Developing market and price information systems
� Improving marketing/quota systems and link them to ecological
sustainability criteria/indicators
� Adding value by introducing quality control and product processing
techniques
� Study the potential of standards-based systems, e.g. product certification
� Link NTFPs to eco-tourism (tourists interested to learn about NTFP use)
4.4 Domestication of NTFPs in gardens
� Set up systems to record and support the exchange of local knowledge
regarding domestication and ecology of wild plants and animals
� Identify and protect genetic resources of all NTFP species
� Develop nursery and multiplication systems for key species
� Agroforestry trials to identify best practices for production of key species
in gardens
� Farming systems research to integrate domesticated NTFPs in long
rotation hill farming systems
� Securing intellectual property rights for Lao NTFPs in a context of
conservation of biological/genetic diversity
5 Conclusion
NTFPs are important for survival of upland communities, both for cash income
as well as subsistence use. Upland farmers spend more time per year on
gathering NTFPs than on agriculture. Shifting cultivation and NTFPs are closely
related, both are part of local knowledge systems that should be preserved for
sustainable use and conservation of wild and agricultural genetic resources. Long
fallow rotational systems creating a mosaic of vegetation types are essential for
the maintenance of the genetic variety of upland rice varieties and NTFPs.
Community forest management systems need more legal and training support to
achieve this. Yet these systems will not be able to meet all future requirements for
NTFPs from the local population and export markets. Domestication of NTFPs in
plantations needs to be accelerated to meet tomorrow’s demands. Private sector
development needs to be stepped up to add value by better quality control,
processing and more efficient marketing of NTFPs for income generation.
Marketing analysis systems need to be set up to support these private sector
developments effectively.
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Foppes and Ketphanh, 2004. NTFPs for poverty reduction and shifting cultivation stabilization in uplands of Lao PDR.
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