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Household and Collective Natural Resource Management Practices Towards Household Food Security in Luang Prabang Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Dissertation Abstract:
Determining the natural resource management practices of people contributes toward improving food security status, but despite this importance, there has been no empirical study done in Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR. This research aimed to analyze the household and collective natural resource management practices (NRM) toward household food security in this province, particularly in Hadsangorn and Hadhouay villages. Using a survey questionnaire, data were obtained from 163 respondents. Descriptive statistics was employed and analysis of variables using Spearman’s rho and stepwise regression were done to analyze the relationship between the household level and collective NRM practices and household food security of the respondents. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also conducted to confirm and support the data obtained from the survey.
Findings showed that the respondents were mostly middle aged, female, married, natives in the study sites, and had attained basic education. Their households were patriarchal and had an average of around six members, mainly agricultural but land for agriculture was insufficient. They practiced family-based and husband-wife partnership agriculture, yet they still live below the poverty line as reflected in their monthly incomes.
Their awareness about existing soil, forest, and water resource policies was insufficient and they stated these policies were moderately implemented. Governance of soil, water, and forest resources was systematic because it followed the project life cycle. However, their inconsistent and scattered responses in regularity of planning, monitoring, and evaluation entailed uncertain information about soil, forest, and water resource policies that are being implemented in the study sites.
Household level and collective NRM practices need further strengthening because soil, forest, and water resource management are moderately practiced, which entails moderate household and collective effort in NRM. As food accessibility, availability, utilization and stability did not reach the full level of the respondents’ agreement, they are therefore in modest level. The study sites therefore are not sufficiently food secure. The correlation and stepwise regression analyses were able to identify and streamline the NRM practices that need to be focused on so that food security will be further achieved. The study recommends NRM strategies to achieve household food security and these strategies are grounded on the respondents’ NRM practices and priorities.