Country Paper Lao PDR RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN UPLAND LAO PDR Presented by Vansy Senyavong (Director of MHP) Workshop: Indigenous Women, Climate Change and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) Mandaluyong City, Philippines 18-19 th November, 2010 1
Map Of Lao PDR (Note: MHP works in the north-western province of Bokeo) 2
Introduction Lao PDR has the highest percentage of forest cover in South-east Asia, which corresponds to about 35% of total land area 1. However, according to figures produced by the Lao Government, the deforestation rate was about 134,000 hectares per year, or about 0.6% of the total land area for the period between 1992 and 2002 (GTZ, 2009). Lao PDR also has a total of 49 officially recognized ethnic groups in its population of 6 million people, of which about 30% (Austro-Asiatic) are indigenous to Lao PDR. The other 70% belong to either the Lao Thai ethnic group (about 60%) or the Sino-Tibetan/Hmong- Mien ethnic groups (about 10%). The latter groups have migrated into Lao PDR from China over the past 900 years or so. Of these ethnic groups, the indigenous Austro-Asiatic are the most reliant on forests for their livelihoods. Forests provide non-timber forest products (NTFP s) for consumption and sale, construction materials for houses and fences, forage for the grazing of animals, and fuel for cooking and warmth. Further, the overall household assets of Austro-Asiatic peoples are lower than for other groups, making them more vulnerable to household shocks, such as weather events linked to climate change (WFP, 2007). Compared to men, indigenous women play a greater role in ensuring household food security 2 as well as having higher responsibilities to looking after family and children: this means that indigenous women may be at a greater risk from climate change than indigenous men. Causes of Deforestation in Lao PDR The main drivers of deforestation, according to the National Agriculture and Forestry Strategy to 2020 were: Shifting cultivation by local farmers for both subsistence and commercial purposes Large scale forest conversion to tree/agriculture crop plantations by investors Illegal logging followed by conversion to crop production or slash and burn cultivation Commercial timber logging with subsequent lack of reforestation / forest rehabilitation Large infrastructure development projects, mostly hydropower dams Forest fires in the uplands Source: GTZ (2009) One of the main underlying causes of deforestation was population increase. The population increases naturally by about 3% per year in the uplands, meaning that the population doubles every 24 years (NCA, 2009). Other underlying causes of deforestation were the high levels of poverty, unclear laws and regulations especially on land tenure, incomplete land demarcation and weak institutional capacity. External causes are the growing demand for raw materials and energy in the region. Despite efforts of the Lao government to reduce shifting cultivation and to introduce conservation and sustainable management of forests, the deforestation and degradation rate is still alarmingly high (GTZ, 2009). 1 Based on figures of the Department of Forestry, 2007 2 Based on roles of women in Paktha district, Bokeo province (data collected by MHP, 2010). 3
With the loss of its forests Lao PDR loses its unique biodiversity, the availability of forest products and environmental services (soil and water protection, CO 2 sequestration) and the significant potential of forests for sustainable development. Forest loss and degradation affect most severely the poorest segments of Lao society, particularly women, and ethnic groups whose livelihoods are closely dependent on intact forests. Besides, the economic and social impacts of global climate change on the population are already felt and the vulnerability to climate change, especially of the rural poor, is expected to increase (GTZ, 2009) Government Structures for the Management of Climate Change in Lao PDR As a party to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and the Kyoto Protocol, Lao PDR is committed to climate protection. A National Strategy on Climate Change has been prepared, and its implementation is being coordinated by the newly established Climate Change Office under the Department of the Environment (GTZ, 2009). A National REDD taskforce has also been established under the Department of Forestry. The REDD taskforce has received donor support, particularly from the Japanese and German governments, to develop staff capacity, disseminate information on REDD and develop GIS Systems that can be used to monitor deforestation. Two pilot projects have been established in Xayaboury and Houaphan provinces. By contrast, however, Lao PDR is also committed to achieving high GDP growth targets in order to move out of the status of least developed countries by 2020. The government will implement a large number of mega-projects over the next ten years, and many of these involve the displacement of indigenous peoples, as well as increasing climate emissions through a loss of forest cover. These projects include hydropower dams, mining sites, high speed railways and rubber plantations. Observed Climate Change in Lao PDR A comprehensive review of climate data in Lao PDR found that despite wide fluctuations, average annual and seasonal rainfall has been declining in Lao PDR for the last 50 years, while at the same time the average annual and seasonal mean temperatures have been rising (NCA, 2009). North-west Lao PDR has been most greatly affected, since the average decline is of about 62 mm/year during the critical planting season of June, July and August (NCA, 2009). Weather records have been broken in recent times. In 2008, the Mekong River reached record highs and flooded much of the country, while in 2010, the Mekong reached record lows, and sufficient irrigation water couldn t be provided to farmers. In 2009, Typhoon Ketsana came across from Vietnam and flooded the southern provinces, causing widespread flooding, deaths and crop losses. The WFP notes that floods and droughts are a regular event for rural people in Lao PDR. In the previous year to their 2007 food security survey, 34% of farmers/gatherers (a term which best describes upland farmers), had suffered from drought (WFP, 2007). Farmers traditionally cope with drought and other shocks that reduce the food security by turning to the forest for non timber forest products (NTFP s), either for consumption or sale (to buy food). Indigenous peoples and Adaption 4
As this workshop has recognized, climate change is an accelerating process, which will have severe impacts on the most vulnerable populations on the planet. Indigenous peoples, and indigenous women in particular, will be disproportionately affected. In Lao PDR, this generally means poor upland farmers, who have little knowledge or resources to adapt to the expected changes. Adaption is the key term here. We need to identify and undertake activities that increase resilience and decrease vulnerability of upland farmers. The remainder of this paper explores some of the ways in which this can be achieved in Lao PDR, and draws largely upon the findings of research in northern Lao PDR undertaken by the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA, 2009), as well as the experiences of Vredeseilanden (known locally as VECO). Both organizations are international NGO s working in Bokeo province. Adaption 1: Improve Yields Sloping Rice Cultivation To reduce exposure to long periods of water stress and pest losses, new varieties of short duration rice (120-130 days) need to be introduced into the farming system. Such seeds should be able to be multiplied and saved by farmers every year (ie not hybrid or genetically modified varieties). This needs to be accompanied by farmer trials and quality extension. For example, a farmer field school approach would both increase yields, and introduce soil conservation technologies, such as the use of legume cover crops. It is also necessary to reduce post harvest losses, which can often account for up to 20-30% of the total yield, by providing (on a revolving fund basis) rice storage bins that prevent fungal, mice and insect losses, as well as reducing the humidity that reduces germination viability for the following years seed rice. Adaption 2: Revitalise and Protect Local Forests Increasing the amount of food and medicines available in the forest would reduce pressure on other parts of the local ecosystem, and protect biodiversity. This needs a medium to long term commitment by the community. Indigenous women would benefit most from well managed and revitalized forests, since they are mainly responsible for - collecting the daily food needs, such as bamboo shoots, mushrooms and vegetables - collecting pig food, such as banana stalks and large leaved vegetables - collecting and processing certain NTFP s, such as paper mulberry and Boehmeria (locally known as beuak meuak) Local forest management, such as which forests to protect and which can be used for shifting cultivation, are decided by the village committee, which is mostly made up of men. A simple process could include the following steps: identify plant species that have traditionally been considered important for food, medicine, fodder and building materials. Older women in particular would be good sources of knowledge. The missing species could then be reintroduced back into local forests identify areas of forest where the community has traditional ownership using participatory processes (involving men and women), and try to protect these areas by formalizing their boundaries and seeking land titles with local authorities make an assessment of useful species for consumption and sale, and based on community needs and maturation times, make a quota system (or zonal harvesting system) to ensure the sustainable management of these species in the long term. The management committee should include men and women. 5
Adaption 3: Support Irrigated Valley Rice Cultivation In some areas terracing is possible, but farmers lack the materials, labour and knowledge to make it happen. There needs to be sufficient funding made available to carry in cement, rocks and high density water pipe to build small irrigations systems. This needs to be combined with appropriate seeds, a revolving fund for buffaloes, and a farmer field school to introduce farmers to irrigated rice farming techniques, including composting and other local means to improve soil fertility. When provided with the means, farmers are satisfied to contribute the task of opening new paddy land, although when they are chronically short of rice, this can be a slow process. A food for work scheme, that naturally includes women, can be effective in rapidly scaling up terracing, since farmers do not have to rely on time-consuming shifting cultivation for their food needs. Adaption 4: Promote Crop Diversity in Valley Bottoms The fertile floors of the valley bottoms are an unutilized resource in upland communities. While diversity makes sense in a sustainable agriculture system for both risk management and dietary reasons, there is evidence to suggest that local farmers have reduced the diversity in their traditional cropping system over the past few years. There has been an increased emphasis on rice production and consumption, no doubt partially led by the government, which measures poverty in terms of number months short of rice. The opening of roads and markets has meant that farmers who are short of rice prefer to grow cash crops or collect NTFP s to earn money to buy rice, rather than growing their own food crops. In traditional ethnic Khmu (an Austro Asian ethnic group) communities, for example, sweet potato was always traditionally grown as a food crop, to be eaten along with rice as a staple crop. Any leftover could always be fed to pigs. However, studies amongst ethnic Khmu in Bokeo found sweet potato was not grown much any more, since the younger generation did not like to eat it they were already used to and preferred to eat rice. 3 As well as needing less water, potatoes offer much higher yields than rice, with the average yield of improved varieties in neighbouring Thailand being 15 tonnes/hectare (upland rice averages only 1.5 tonnes/hectare). Adaption 5: Increase productivity of small and large livestock The main barrier to improved productivity for upland farmers in livestock is a lack of sufficient feed. Small livestock (such as chickens and pigs) are preferred by women, since they can be readily sold for a small amount of money, unlike a cow, which is a lumpy investment. Indigenous women generally look after the income received, although spending on large items is the decision of both men and women. A farmer field school in livestock, aimed at women, that goes through the steps of improved housing, feeding, vaccination and breeding has been shown to be successful in improving the weight of pigs and chickens (VECO, 2008). However, practical experience suggests that most indigenous women, with their many household tasks, and with rice shortages (and therefore a shortage of bran) were unable to 3 Data from Paktha district, Bokeo province (collected by MHP, 2010). There are similar changes in dietary preference in West Africa, where the younger generation prefers imported rice to traditional foods such as millet and sorghum 6
provide sufficient forage to scale up production. They did receive sufficient support from men in planting forages to scale up their production men perceive it as women s work. Large livestock should be fenced into zones, and sufficient forages planted to ensure a year round supply, since a lack of food in the dry season limits overall carrying capacity. New forages need to be accompanied by trials and extension if adoption is to be successful. Adaption 6: Gender equity for indigenous men and women Like in many other indigenous cultures, there are many gender inequalities between men and women that prevent indigenous communities in Lao PDR from reaching their full capacity to adapt to a changing climate. These inequalities are entrenched in childhood, as little girls know they have to rise early with their mothers to cook, collect water and look after younger siblings, while little boys are able to sleep in and then prepare to go to school. Examples of inequity are not hard to find. The unequal workloads in preparing food for small livestock for example (see above) has meant that family income and nutrition suffers, and malnutrition in under fives (that causes stunting) amongst the Austro-Asiatic ethnic group is 56%(WFP, 2007). MHP s role in better forest management MHP is working to develop a network of indigenous women leaders, and will facilitate workshops that will enable them to discuss these issues in their own language. Without women leaders, it is likely that indigenous communities will continue to fall behind in the context of a rapidly changing environment. It is hoped that the opportunity to share their experiences with other women will be the main driver in growing resilience and reducing vulnerability in their communities. MHP is also identifying key areas of valuable NTFP s, in conjunction with indigenous communities, and mapping them on a Geographic Information System (GIS). Once mapped, it is possible under Lao law to request village communal ownership, which means that they cannot be transferred or sold to other parties. This gives the communities the incentive to manage the forests in the long term. In addition, MHP is currently negotiating with donors to participate in a REDD scheme, that will pay farmers for their environmental service of forest protection. Conclusion Climate change is already impacting upon indigenous communities in Lao PDR. These communities are typically located in the uplands, and already are among the poorest people in Lao PDR. With increasing population and loss of forest resources, their environment is becoming more degraded. There is an urgent need for these communities to slow down this degradation and improve their local resource base. They will need to adapt to a changing climate if they are to survive. Outside resources are required that will enable upland indigenous communities to adapt. Community leaders will need support (in terms of capacity building and budget) if they are going to take the steps needed to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability. Agricultural systems will be need to be modified to reduce the risks from climate change and boost food security. Gender relations between men and women will also have to be changed to ensure that both men and women can equally contribute to maintaining the viability of their communities. 7
References GTZ (2009) Lao-German Co-operation Report on the Programme Preparation Mission to Lao PDR, Program Forest and Climate Protection 2 20 March 2009, report prepared by AGEG consultants. Norwegian Church Aid (2009), Growing Resilience, Adapting for Climate Change in Upland Lao PDR, report prepared by Sean Foley of EcoAsia consultants VECO (2008), Report of the Farmer Field School for Women, Internal document by VECO Lao. World Food Program (2007), Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA), Lao PDR 8