Protecting forests and improving agriculture in villages under economical development
Forest conservation led by villagers / Sustainable Agriculture Promotion

?

Program Background

Laos has abundant natural resources provided by its rich natural forested areas. Surrounded by emerging countries such as China, Thailand and Vietnam, Laos has always been influenced by those countries. Recently, the government has focused on large-scale economic development. It sells electricity to neighboring countries obtained by making a dam and opens up forested areas in order to attract foreign companies to manage the rubber and eucalyptus plantations. These developments, however, reduce the forest areas which have been traditionally used by villagers. People, whose livelihoods depend food and income from forest resources, face large-scale changes to their lifestyle.

Summary of activities

(1)Community Forestry

Community forests are being sold to companies without villagers’ agreement by the government of Laos and JVC is making efforts to end this practice. JVC supports LUPLA (Land use planning), registration of a communities’ forested areas as “common forestry”. Based on the experiences in Khammouane province organized since 1993, JVC started a 3-year project in Savannakhet province from January 2009.

2009 Annual Report

1. PRA
Before starting activities in the new locations, JVC researched the villagers’ life in 15 villages through PRA. As a result, JVC learned that there are some villages which are suffering from direct foreign investments and troubles with neighboring villages concerning forest ownership. JVC selected some target villages based on the results of this research because it is possible to use the system of LUPLA to solve these issues efficiently. LUPLA will be started in 2010.

2. Training of “LAWS” and “Natural Resource Management”
It is important to understand the importance of “LAWS” been concerned with forestry, land use and “Natural Resource Management” for villagers to proceed with LUPLA smoothly. As a result, JVC made 700 pieces of calendar which illustrates the LUPLA process and distributed it to villagers with training. Furthermore, JVC held puppet shows for minority groups in 2 villages which helped the audience members study LAWS in a fun manner.

3. Fish Conservation Area
As part of Natural Resource Management activities, JVC fixed rules about the Fish Conservation Area in one village and formally set the Fish Conservation Area with cooperating neighboring villages and the local government. In addition, JVC started research in other villages.

4. Others
JVC set study tours for administrative officers and created opportunities through public hearing for villagers to speak directly about the activity manual of LUPLA revised by government.

2010 Annual Plan

JVC will implement LUPLA based on the research of year 2009. The contents of LUPLA were revised, so JVC will concentrate on the new activity plans. JVC will also continue to protect forestry through Training of Law, Natural Resource Management, and Training for Forest Volunteers.

(2)JVC will combat foods shortages by improving agro-technology.

The disappearance of lands and forests by large-scale economic development means the disappearance of foods gathered from there. This kind of economic development causes food shortage in neighboring villages. JVC will support the villagers’ growing of food stuffs such as rice and vegetables, in agricultural fields.

2009 Annual Report

1. Rice Integration
JVC introduced techniques of SRI to villagers, and amount of harvest were be increased in their rice field. JVC held video screening to introduce SRI to villagers in 6 villages and followed the villagers to other village which had used SRI. In addition, JVC executed the training of SRI and the compost-making. As result, participants started to use these kinds of techniques.

2. Integrated Farming through Fish Breeding and Livestock Husbandry
JVC created an opportunity for people in our target villages to visit the a village using integrated farming techniques and study ways to promote and implement the technique. JVC also held training for domestic animal vaccine inoculations and promoted grassroots veterinarian procedures.

3. Rice Bank
JVC researched the villages’ economic situations and prepared to introduce the “Rice Bank” system to our target villages. “Rice Bank” is the system which people can borrow rice with low interest from the community in case of a shortage of rice. To meet this end, rice is pooled and managed by the community.

4. Repair and Digging Up Wells
To resolve the shortage of water during the dry season, we preformed repairs and the digging of deep wells in cooperation with the villagers. From this action, the villages could obtain their necessary needs for water throughout the year.

2010 Annual Plan

JVC will continue, evolve and expand the activities of 2009 and will start new activities such as Home-gardening, earthworm farming (bami-culture), and Domestic Animal Banks in 5 villages.