Gendered roles in agrarian transition: A study of lowland rice farming in Lao PDR

Moglia, Magnus; Alexander, Kim S.; Larson, Silva; (Giger)-Dray, Anne; Greenhalgh, Garry; Thammavong, Phommath; Thephavanh, Manithaythip; Case, Peter

Abstract

Traditional lifestyles of lowland rice farmers of the southern provinces of Lao People’s Democratic Republic are rapidly changing, due to two important trends. Firstly, there is a push towards modernization and commercialization of farming. Secondly, though farmers still focus on rice farming as a key activity there is an increasing move towards diversification of livelihoods. The changes have seen the uptake of non-rice crops, livestock husbandry and forest and river utilization; as well as non-farming activities. This has influenced gender relations, impacting household agricultural production decisions and amplified transitional trends To explore the processes, we analyzed data from a study of innovation adoption amongst rice farmers in southern Lao PDR. The study revealed nuances of gender-based differences in the priorities and attitudes towards farming and off-farm activities, as well as differences in behaviour related to the adoption of new practices. Women were more focused on non-farming practices and considered engaging in the modern, non-traditional, economy more than did men. Women also reported experiencing greater challenges when engaging and trading in the agricultural marketplace. The study supports the importance of taking a gendered approach to understanding the inherent complexities within agrarian change.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 30, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 3, 2020
• Publication Date: Jul 3, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 30, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 4, 2020
• Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)
• Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 13
• Article Number: 5403
• Series ISSN: 2071-1050
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135403
• Keywords: rice; gender; smallholder farmers; technology adoption; Lao PDR; innovation diffusion; agrarian transition
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6113347