Soil, water and nutrient management for increasing farm household income in drought zones of the Lao PDR

The Lao PDR economy is mainly agricultural in nature accounting for 51% of the total GDP. Agriculture accounts for around 4.5 million hectares, or 19% of total land area. The main purpose is to produce sticky rice, a subsistence crop used largely for domestic consumption and animal husbandry

Soil, water, and plant nutrients are all necessary components of agricultural production. Poor soil and water scarcity are serious difficulties for agriculture in Laos, especially in drought-prone areas. These issues are common in several provinces of Laos, resulting in low yields and farmer income. Because of unsustainable agriculture in the drought zone, the majority of young farmers in distant areas abandoned their farms to work in cities and abroad. Some farmers have attempted to collect and retain rainfall for their farms by building tiny ponds, installing water-softening weirs on small streams (to create a water reservoir), and collecting agricultural leftovers to create compost for their fields. However, farmers continue to face insufficient water due to a lack of proper rainwater storage practices, which has resulted in a drop in soil moisture retention, making crops unsuitable throughout the drought period. Good soil, water, and plant nutrient management will now be considered an alternate option for enhancing agricultural output and farmer income. A holistic demonstration method will be conducted in three provinces (Savannakhet, Saravane, and Champasack) to adopt proper soil, water, and nutrient management techniques that are both appealing to farmers and practical. Read more...