Abstract: In this study, we monitored swidden cultivation and forest fallow management in a Khmu village in Laos. Monitoring was conducted between 2005 and 2015 and covered a full swidden cycle. Through GPS mapping, interviews with swidden farmers, and on-site observation, we examined the present state of swidden cultivation in the village. Swidden farming is found throughout the mountains of Laos; however, there is a current preference for the use of other land-use systems. The recent trends toward a market economy have forced the people and forests in the mountains of Laos to undergo various changes as they integrate into the world market. They have been impacted by the enclosure movement called the Land and Forest Allocation Program, the expansion of the cultivation of cash crops such as maize and Para rubber trees, and re-afforestation aimed at industrial wood resources. Here, we discuss the changes taking place in the relationship between the local people and their swidden cultivation system. We also examine the possibility of stabilizing swidden cultivation in the study areas to ensure a future in which the swidden farmers are able to live with a sense of security. This presentation was given by Shinya Takeda at the IUFRO conference in Beijing, China that was held from October 24-27, 2016.

1. The IUFRO Regional Congress for Asia and Oceania
24 October, 2016, 13:30-15:30
Session 103 @Room 305
"Policies, governance and economics on REDD+ and swidden systems"
Mapping a full cycle of swidden cultivation
in a Khmu village and its implications for
land use stabilization in Laos
Shinya Takeda1
, Riji Suzuki2
, Nyen Chan3
& Lamphoune Xayvongsa4
1)Kyoto University, 2)Kyoto Gakuen University,
3)University of Forestry (Yezin), 4)National University of Laos

2. Swidden farming is found throughout the mountains of
Laos; however, there is a current preference for other
land-use systems. The recent trend toward a market
economy has forced the people and forests in the
mountains of Laos to undergo various changes as they
integrate into the world market. They have been impacted
by the Land and Forest Allocation Program, the expansion
of the cultivation of cash crops such as maize and Para
rubber trees, the increase in logging concessions, and re-
afforestation aimed at industrial wood resources.
Introduction

3. Research SiteResearch Site
•FORCOM: forest management
and community support project,
JICA, Lao P.D.R.
•S village in Luang Prabang
Province
•Khmu people
•84 household opened 96 fields
in 2005
•Monitoring of swidden plots from
2005 to 2016

4. Villagers face difficulties in continuing
swidden agriculture due to of the
limited swidden agriculture area.
During the 2005-2007 period, several
villagers began to rent land in
neighboring villages, and 16 villagers
migrated to other province.

5. 隣村
借地
焼畑
地
S村集落
Swidden farming 2005-2011

6. 年 Number
of HH
Total Area
of swidden
Field
(ha ）
Number of
Plots
Average
size of
Cultivation
Field (ha)
Average
fallow
period
(year)
2005 84 143.65 96 1.71 4.9
2006 82 110.14 99 1.35 4.1
2007 76 107.60 99 1.42 4.1
2008 76 139.78 131 1.84 3.8
2009 75 112.70 114 1.50 3.7
2010 63 89.08 71 1.41 3.7
2011 56 82.63 71 1.48 3.3

7. •Ｍａｉｚｅ
•Ｖｉｅｔｎａｍ
•Ｔｈａｉｌａｎｄ
•Ｙｏｕｎｇ ｆａｌｌｏｗ
•ｗｉｔｈ Ｙａ Ｋｈｉ Ｌｏ
Young fallow: Chromolaena odoratum

8. Fig. Price trend for maize during 2005-2015 (U.S. No.2 Yellow, FOB, Gulf of Mexico)
( Nyein Chan and Takeda, in print)
Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Area harvested (,000 ha) 86.0 113.8 157.7 229.2 207.6 212.7 212.1 196.8 212.0 243.4
Yield (ton/ha) 43.3 39.5 43.6 48.3 54.6 48.0 51.7 57.2 57.3 58.0
Production (mil. ton) 0.4 0.4 0.7 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4
Seed production (,000 ton) 2.3 3.2 4.6 4.2 4.3 4.2 3.9 4.4 4.4 -
Table Maize production in Laos (2005-2014)
2005 2006 2014 2015
‘the end of cheap food’ (The Economist 6 December
2007)

9. Crops n (HHs) Production (kg per HH)
Agricultural crops
Rice 56 1,832.50 ± 147.742
Maize 45 2,263.1 ± 258.68
Red rice 7 765.7 ± 198.35
Cassava 3 2,433.3 ± 1,105.04
Mak kha†
(Alpinia galangal‡
) 1 150.0
Fallow crop
Broom grass 4 122.5 ± 26.58
Table Average production of agricultural crops in S village in 2013
Dec 2012, new road was constructed !
( Nyein Chan and Takeda, in print)

10. •Eaglewood ( Aquilaria spp. ) >10 years
•Para rubber tree ( Hevea brasiliensis ) 7 years
•Paper mulberry ( Broussonetia papyrifera ) 3 years
•Lac ( Laccifer lacca ) + Pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan )
•Livestock
How to modify swiddenHow to modify swidden
agriculture in the project sitesagriculture in the project sites

11. Lac is the resinous protective exudation of aLac is the resinous protective exudation of a
tiny insect,tiny insect, LacciferLaccifer laccalacca ( lac insect ),( lac insect ),
parasitic on certain trees.parasitic on certain trees.

13. • Lac is cultivated in plantations of hostLac is cultivated in plantations of host
trees (trees (Cajanus cajanCajanus cajan) in fallows.) in fallows.
Compared with other ‘New Crops’Compared with other ‘New Crops’
such as Para Rubber and Eaglewood,such as Para Rubber and Eaglewood,
lac allows villagers to earn cashlac allows villagers to earn cash
income in a relatively short time.income in a relatively short time.
• C. cajanC. cajan,, AquiraliaAquiralia spp. and otherspp. and other
perennials planted in fallow fieldsperennials planted in fallow fields
contribute to the ‘stabilization’ ofcontribute to the ‘stabilization’ of
swidden agriculture.swidden agriculture.

14. • Based on the increasing demand forBased on the increasing demand for
lac in the Chinese market, host treelac in the Chinese market, host tree
plantations are being set up on anplantations are being set up on an
increasing scale in Luang Prabangincreasing scale in Luang Prabang
Province. This can be seen as anProvince. This can be seen as an
‘intensification of agricultural land‘intensification of agricultural land
use’ in marginal mountainous areasuse’ in marginal mountainous areas
of northern Laos.of northern Laos.

15. • The “stabilization” of swidden farming is a means, notThe “stabilization” of swidden farming is a means, not
an end itself. For the Kamu people who live onan end itself. For the Kamu people who live on
swidden farming, the important goal is to ensure aswidden farming, the important goal is to ensure a
future where they can live with a sense of security. Forfuture where they can live with a sense of security. For
that purpose, it is necessary to “wait” without hastilythat purpose, it is necessary to “wait” without hastily
seeking immediate results. A broad range of resourcesseeking immediate results. A broad range of resources
to support lives through self-sufficiency is availableto support lives through self-sufficiency is available
from swidden fields and fallowed land. Specializing infrom swidden fields and fallowed land. Specializing in
the selling of non-timber forest products may certainlythe selling of non-timber forest products may certainly
bring about increased incomes, but also runs the riskbring about increased incomes, but also runs the risk
of facing uncertain markets. Market trends cannot beof facing uncertain markets. Market trends cannot be
determined by producers. That is the source of thedetermined by producers. That is the source of the
uncertainty. It is necessary to sustain self-sufficientuncertainty. It is necessary to sustain self-sufficient
lives supported by swidden farming and fallowed landlives supported by swidden farming and fallowed land
and engage in skillful marketing of non-timber forestand engage in skillful marketing of non-timber forest
products.products.

16. • Historically, in widespread areas across SoutheastHistorically, in widespread areas across Southeast
Asia, including Laos, there have existed villages whereAsia, including Laos, there have existed villages where
people have lived by commercializing nature.people have lived by commercializing nature.
Examples abound in various areas where non-timberExamples abound in various areas where non-timber
forest products generated from swidden fallows areforest products generated from swidden fallows are
sold as commodities, and as a result of suchsold as commodities, and as a result of such
production activities, forests and woods have beenproduction activities, forests and woods have been
preserved. Forests in Laos have also been linked topreserved. Forests in Laos have also been linked to
outside markets since ancient times. Such linkage, atoutside markets since ancient times. Such linkage, at
one time severed by wars, is regaining strength thanksone time severed by wars, is regaining strength thanks
to the marketization of the economy. However, theto the marketization of the economy. However, the
ongoing rapid changes will not adjust themselves toongoing rapid changes will not adjust themselves to
the inherent rhythm of swidden farming.the inherent rhythm of swidden farming.

17. • In the swidden fields of the Kamu people, aIn the swidden fields of the Kamu people, a
fallow period of several years must be enduredfallow period of several years must be endured
after one year of farming. Lac is one non-after one year of farming. Lac is one non-
timber forest product that helps people wait outtimber forest product that helps people wait out
those several years. Waiting for opportunitiesthose several years. Waiting for opportunities
to ripen is a shortcut to securing the lives ofto ripen is a shortcut to securing the lives of
the people who live there and the environmentthe people who live there and the environment
that surrounds them. This is what helps peoplethat surrounds them. This is what helps people
achieve the real goal of the “stabilization” ofachieve the real goal of the “stabilization” of
swidden farmingswidden farming
Waiting for opportunities to ripen

18. S village
Khmu swidden cultivation
(2005 ～ 2011 7 years ）
1,673.88ha A
143.65ha B
11.7years (A/B)
4 years
maize
goat, pig, cattle, buffalo
(cassava production for feed)
paper mulberry, lac,
agarwood,
para rubber
commrecial crop productive fallow
continuous
upland farming
Para rubber
plantation
wage labor
The availability of land is
limited, and in turn leading
to semi-commercialized
farming such as maize, red
rice, and cassava.
subsistence upland rice production

19. Swidden transformations and rural livelihoods
Cash crops have often improved livelihoods but
complete specialization for the market increases
vulnerability. (Cramb 2009)
Positive market incentives and supportive
government policies are better than standardized,
top-down directives.
Swidden farming with productive fallows plays a key role
in 1) ensuring livelihood safety of local people against
market fluctuations and 2)conserving biodiversity.
REDD+ integrated with supportive measures and
policy incentives can be potential as a tool to
conserve the secondary forest carbon stocks