Rubber in the GMS: An Integrated Research Exercise on Rubber Development in Lao PDR

Rubber in the GMS: An Integrated Research Exercise on Rubber Development in Lao PDR Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh Mr. Souklaty Sysaneth Dr. Monthatip Chanphengxay Mr. Phouvieng Ladavong Dr. Bounthong Bouahom February 2009 The Sustainable Mekong Research Network Contents Acknowledgements iv Acronyms and Abbreviations v Summary 1 1. Introduction 5 1.1 Background 5 1.2 Objectives 6 1.3 Research Questions 6 1.4 Structure of the Report 7 2. Literature Review 8 2.1 Background of Rubber Planting in Lao PDR 8 2.2 Current Rubber Production in Lao PDR 8 2.3 Land Concession Policy 9 2.4 The Existing Policy Support for Farmers Planting Rubber 10 2.5 The Technical Support for the Farmers 11 2.6 The Contract Systems 11 2.7 Benefit of Small-Holder Rubber 13 3. Research Methodology 14 3.1 Research Locations 14 3.2 Research Methodology 15 4. Research Findings 18 4.1 Current Rubber Production in Lao PDR 18 4.2 Existing Policies Related to Rubber Production 23 4.3 Rubber Trading 28 4.4 Some Certain Basic Socio-Economic Backgrounds of the 32 Rubber Farmers 4.5 Rubber Production Systems 39 4.6 Production Investment Costs and Return 43 4.7 Problems and Impacts of Rubber Plantation on Farmers’ 45 Livelihoods 5. Conclusion and Recommendation 50 5.1 Conclusion 50 i 5.2 Recommendations 51 References 53 Annexes 56 ii List of Tables and Figures Table 1: The of current and future predicted total rubber production areas 9 Table 2: The target province and number of interviewees 15 Figure 1: Map of Lao PDR and study locations in five provinces 17 Table 3: Rubber Plantation Area in Each Part of Lao PDR 19 Table 4: External Rubber Investors in Lao PDR 22 Table 5: Loans for Rubber Production in Hat Nhao Village, Luang Namtha 23 Province during 1994-95 Table 6: Planting Arrangements 25 Figure 2: The Average Annual Rubber Price in the Luang Namtha Province 29 Figure 3: Marketing channel of rubber in the Luang Namtha district and Sing 30 district, Luang Namtha province Figure 4: Marketing Channel of Rubber in Thakek, Khammuan Province 31 Figure 5: Marketing Channel of Rubber in the Champasack Province 31 Figure 6: Export Rubber Quantity from Lao PDR to China 32 Table 7: Area of rubber in Vietnam (1976 - 1985) 32 Table 8: The Social Backgrounds of the Interviewed Rubber Farmers 34 Table 9: The Frequencies and Percentages of the Interviewed Rubber Farmers 37 Classified by Some Economic Backgrounds Figure 7: Integrated banana with rubber plantation in Luang Namtha Province 40 Figure 8: Integrated rice with rubber plantation in Vientiane Capital 41 Figure 9: Integrated cattle grazing with rubber plantation in Khammuan 41 Province Figure 10: New planted rubber in Champasack Province 42 Table 10: Estimation of investment on rubber plantation in year 1 43 Table 11: Estimation of investment on rubber plantation from year 2-6 44 Table 12: Estimation of investment on rubber plantation from year 7-25 44 Table 13: The problem issues faced by the rubber farmers 44 Table 14: The Impacts of Rubber Plantation on Small Holder Farms 48 iii ... - tailieumienphi.vn