.:: Lao Knowledge Base on Conservation Agriculture ::.
4- Livestock interactions
Managing the interface between animal and crop components is crucial to the success of these systems. Overgrazing of cover crop or crop residues during the dry season may leave too little mulch for sowing of the following wet season crop, thereby affecting the main functions of the DMC systems. Specific forage use and control of wild-fires on the landscape unit must be defined by farmers during the dry season.
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CIAT is involved in Lao PDR to improve access to fodder resources
Direct Seeding Mulch-Based Cropping Systems for Rice-Be... Featured
The Plain of Jars is an acid, infertile savannah grassland covering an area of about 60,000 ha in the western region of Xieng Khouang Province, northeastern Lao PDR. In this ecology, farming systems are mainly based on lowland rice cultivation and extensive livestock production. An increase in rice production and intensification of the livestock industry are two key components in the Lao government's poverty alleviation strategy for this area. The main agronomic constraints for developing crops and forage systems are related to serious unfavourable soil chemical characteristics. Low pH, along with nutrients deficiencies (in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium) and high levels of aluminium saturation probably have a negative effect on the growth of upland crops, as well as many pasture species. Moreover, severe phosphorus deficiency generates animal health problems. Since 2004, the Lao National Agro- Ecology Programme (PRONAE) has been working on innovative farming systems based on direc ...
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Improving smallholder income generation by integrating ... Featured
In the four southern districts of Sayaboury province, farmers’ livelihoods primarily depend on rainfed maize cultivation. On average, maize production contributes to 66% of farmers’ annual incomes. That contribution even reaches 80% in Paklay district. The current farming systems – based on intensive monocropping and mining practices (i.e. ploughing on steep slopes, hybrid seeds, and heavy use of pesticides) – involve high production costs and engender a rapid decline in agricultural yields. In order to remedy this situation and improve farmers’ livelihoods, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao PDR launched the PASS-PCADR project with financial support from AFD. The main objectives of this project are related to: (i) soil and environmental conservation, (ii) the improvement and diversification of farmers’ incomes, and (iii) the improvement of agricultural marketing. Alongside DMC extension activities, PASS-PCADR is working to improve smallholder pig raising systems. Improvemen ...
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