Agroforestry Livelihood Strategies and Factors Influencing Agroforestry Adoption in Nakai Resettlement Villages, Khammouan Province, Lao PDR
Abstract
The study characterized the agroforestry livelihood strategies of resettled communities and the economic benefits associated with these, discussed the socio-economic factors associated with the adoption of the agroforestry livelihood strategies, and examined the agroforestry livelihood strategies in relation to perceived food sufficiency. Data gathering methods employed were survey, key informant interviews, and transect walk. Randomly selected adopters of agroforestry served as main respondents. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that adopters practiced five different agroforestry livelihood strategies. Rice (Oryza sativa)-based livelihood strategies assured farmers of rice supply, vegetable-based provided the highest income, and pineapple (Ananas comosus)-based was the most diverse in terms of sources of income. Food consumption sufficiency is correlated with most livelihood strategies except for cassava (Manihot esculenta), which had the least agricultural production activity. The average income for all farming systems remained below the poverty line. The major factor influencing the adoption of various agroforestry livelihood strategies was the availability of farm labor. Understanding agroforestry livelihood strategies provides an analytical basis for the design of a sustainable livelihood framework. For resettled villages, it is important that livelihood projects incorporate policies and strategies related to the provision of extension education strategies and marketing support that would link farmers to buyers of their produce.
