| Summary, etc. |
A study of protein sources and demand for human consumption was carried out in eight villages in Xieng Kouang province northeastern Lao PDR. The study focused on two main areas, namely Pek district which was representative of the urban area with service and agricultural sectors, and Phoukout district which was representative of the rural area with Laoloum, Laotheung, and Laosoung ethnic groups. To carry out the study a combination of rapid rural appraisal techniques (RRA) was used. The main animal protein sources which came from different resources for different ethnic groups, were on-farm, aquatic resources, forest resources, and the market. In the urban area the agricultural farming sector consumed 63% of total animal food intake from the market, 27% from on-farm, 7% from aquatic resources, and 3% from forest resources, while the service sector consumed 75% of animal protein from the market, 19% from on farm, 4% from aquatic resources, and 2% from forest resources. In the rural area Laoloum groups consumed on-farm products at a level of 33% of total animal food intake, 32% from market, 28% from aquatic resources, and 7% from forest resources. Laotheung ate on-farm products at level of 38% of total animal food consumption, 24% from aquatic resources, 22% from forest resources, and 16% from the market. For the Laosoung, the sources of animal protein were 49% from on-farm, 19% from the market, 17% from forest resources, and 16% from aquatic resources. Rainfall greatly affected the type and quantity of non conventional food from nature. In years of abundant rainfall, the surplus of gathered food added to the income in addition to being used for daily consumption. Aquatic resources were an important dietary source. According to the study for Laoloum 27% of total animal protein intake came from aquatic animals including wild fish, frogs, crabs, and water insects; 24% for Laotheung, and 16% for Laosoung. Capture fisheries in this area was still traditional. Observations indicated, however, that rural villagers' nutritional status was not only directly related to the degree of availability of animal food in nature, but also was related to on-farm products, and the cash income of the family. The middle of the rainy season was a lean season in which natural animal food was very scarce; in this period the main source of animal food for family consumption came from raised animals i.e. chickens, ducks; and partly buying animal food from the market. In the beginning of the dry season, the villagers again obtained their animal food from natural ponds, streams, from forested areas, and from paddy fields. Natural ponds with water throughout the year were an important food source, especially fish, snails, crabs, small prawns, water insects, water plants. Nevertheless, the other main source of food for family consumption at this time came from vegetables, and partly from wild animals. At the end of dry season natural animal food was in limited supply when compared to the beginning of rainy season and/or the beginning of the dry season. In this season the main source of animal food for family consumption came from animal raising, and partly from the market, because animal food supply from nature was limited. Consumption of animal food purchased from the market was highest in the 111 better off families, in contrast, the low income classes consumed what they had on farm or what they could get from nature. In the urban area, the service sector consumed animal food at a level of 43.3 kg/caput/year, the agricultural farming sector at 42.8 kg/caput/year, which was higher than the average per caput national animal food consumption rate. In the rural area, Laoloum families consumed 22.5 kg/caput/year, approximately the same rate as the average national per caput animal consumption rate, Laosoung ate 15.9 kg/caput/year, and Laotheung 13.1 kg/caput/year which was less than the average national per caput animal food consumption rate. Significant factors affecting the demand function in the urban area were the total income, the number of family members, the price of animal food, and price of substitute goods. The per caput animal food intake declined as family size increased, and the per caput meat consumption increased with income. For the rural area the significant factors affecting the demand function were the number of family members, income generation of the family, and access to the forest and aquatic resources. The per caput consumption increased with income as well as with the opportunity to catch wild terrestrial animals and aquatic animals. However, the increase in the size of the family negatively impacted on per caput animal intake. The study sought to assess the actual animal food resources and sources of supply in northern Lao PDR and endeavoured to provide actual and reliable data to the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, and contribute, therefore, to sound decision-making in relation to development planning in the sector. It attempted to define alternative sources of animal protein which have potential to be increased through appropriate and sustainable farming and production systems and ensure, in the long term, an adequate supply of animal protein in the remote areas. |
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