Kim S. Alexander
Rice farming systems in Southern Lao PDR: Interpreting farmers’ agricultural production decisions using Q methodology
Alexander, Kim S.; Parry, Lucy; Thammavong, Phomma; Sacklokham, Silinthone; Pasouvang, Somphanh; Connell, John G.; Jovanovic, Tom; Moglia, Magnus; Larson, Silva; Case, Peter
Authors
Lucy Parry
Phomma Thammavong
Silinthone Sacklokham
Somphanh Pasouvang
John G. Connell
Tom Jovanovic
Magnus Moglia
Silva Larson
Professor Peter Case Peter.Case@uwe.ac.uk
Professor of Organization Studies
Abstract
© 2017 The agricultural sector in Lao PDR is forecast to move from subsistence rice production to a more modernized and market-oriented sector with greater focus on commercialization of agricultural production. Intensification of agricultural production in the southern and central rice growing regions of Lao PDR is problematic as dryland farmers rely on rainfall and soils are poor, yet rural households have been experiencing rapid change in their farming and livelihood systems. This paper employs Q methodology techniques to explore 35 farmers' viewpoints when contemplating their production goals and potential to adopt technologies to improve productivity. Findings describe the two emerging viewpoints among farmers as ‘labour saving productivity maximization’ and ‘traditional labour productivity using improved techniques’. The two viewpoints describe the different issues currently guiding production decisions. While the Lao Government forecasts substantial increases in rice production in the southern plains, farmers will require specialized and tailored support, accounting for their envisaged livelihood and production goals, to allow the sector transformation that many stakeholders currently envisage.
Citation
Alexander, K. S., Parry, L., Thammavong, P., Sacklokham, S., Pasouvang, S., Connell, J. G., …Case, P. (2018). Rice farming systems in Southern Lao PDR: Interpreting farmers’ agricultural production decisions using Q methodology. Agricultural Systems, 160, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2017.10.018
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Oct 30, 2017 |
Online Publication Date | Nov 9, 2017 |
Publication Date | Feb 1, 2018 |
Journal | Agricultural Systems |
Print ISSN | 0308-521X |
Publisher | Elsevier Masson |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 160 |
Pages | 1-10 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2017.10.018 |
Keywords | Q methodology, farmer viewpoints, Lao PDR, agriculture management, farmer attitudes, farm technology adoption, innovation adoption |
Public URL | https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/871689 |
Publisher URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2017.10.018 |
Files
Alexander et al Q methodology_ final resubmission Oct 2017.pdf
(684 Kb)
PDF
You might also like
A Bayesian network model to explore practice change by smallholder rice farmers in Lao PDR
(2018)
Journal Article
Commercialising smallholder agricultural production in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
(2017)
Journal Article