Laos

The goal is to establish a spatially-explicit typology of upland agricultural systems developed based on the age of fallows and to identify opportunities and risks to intensification. Characterisation of production resources using spatially explicit information will be conducted for the whole province of Oudomxay. Remote sensing analyses and conventional spatial analyses techniques will be used in conjunction with advanced techniques on multiple scale analyses and analyses of patch dynamics to understand the spatial dynamics of system performance and the underlying drivers so as to quantify the potential for intervention. We will also use long time series of images for the quantification of temporal dynamics. The final goal will be to derive a system typology that will permit a systematic targeting of interventions that would improve the livelihoods of upland dwellers. Forster, A. (2007). Analysis of fallow system development in Laos using historical satellite images. MSc-Thesis (supervisors: Tatjana Koukal and Werner Schneider), 90 pp. Forster, A. (2007). Fallow system development in Laos using historical satellite images. Presentation of the MSc-Thesis by Antonia Forster.

A livelihood comprises the capabilities, material and non-material assets, and activities required for a means of living. Livelihoods are sustainable when they can cope with and recover from stresses and shock, and thereby maintain and enhance their capabilities both now and in the future. The objective is to address past, current and future livelihood dimentions by:

• developing a site specific typology of villages and households, based on differential access to assets
• explore existing and new entry points livelihood strategies and formulate livelihood strategy portfolios.
• assess outcomes of households' livelihood strategies in terms of food security, income and well-being.

Leek, Kendra (2007). Natural resources and rural livelihood strategies in Oudomxay, Lao PDR. MSc thesis (presentation). Supervised by Dr. Michael Hauser. Leek, Kendra, Michael Hauser and Douglas White (2007). Wealth, livelihood transitions and poverty in Northern Lao PDR. Why targeted development interventions are needed. Presentation at the Tropentag, 9-11 October 2007 in Witzenhausen (poster).

The objective is to understand the socio-economic factors that influence (enable and impede) the improvement of NTFP supply chains in Oudomxay taking into consideration the preferences, abilities and resources of different stakeholders. The specific objectives are:

• To build a model of the socio-economic factors influencing NTFP supply chains. The model will not only identify the influencing factors, but also how they interact, i.e. the interdependencies between various factors.
• Assess whether a learning alliance is an effective tool to enhance communication and build a common ground between the stakeholders, so as to allow them to improve the supply chain through concerted action.
• Understand the influence of traditional gender specific allocation of household tasks in improving supply chains.

Chain analysis framework: Ribeiro, M.M. (2008). Modelling the factors influencing the commercialisation of paper mulberry bark (Broussonetia papyrifera (L) Vent). A supply chain analysis of a non-timber forest product in Oudomxay, Lao PDR. Dissertation. Supervised by Dr. Ika Darnhofer, Dr. Michael Hauser and Dr. Christian Vogl. (Abstract) Leitner, Kathrin (2007). Domestication of Khamu women through domesticated trees? The impacts of development interventions in Lao PDR. MSc thesis. Supervised by Dr. Ika Darnhofer and Dr. Helmut Lukas. Ribeiro, M.M. and M. Hauser (2007). Using multi-stakeholder processes to improve a supply chain of a non-timber forest product in Lao PDR. Presentation at the Tropentag, 9-11 October 2007 in Witzenhausen (poster). Ribeiro, M.M. and I. Darnhofer (2007). Understanding the supply chain of paper mulberry bark in Lao PDR using causal mapping. Project report, 72 pp.