Shifting into the veggie business “In the past, I cleared parts of the forest by burning to be able to plant rice. I spent long hours in the forest to find wild vegetables, honey and other things to sell, but often it was not enough to get us through the lean season, “ says Saothong Khammany, a 35year-old farmer from Namheang Village in Nalae District of Luang Namtha Province in the Northern part of Laos. For countless generations, burning forest for shifting cultivation, hunting, and foraging for food in the jungle was how people in rural areas of Lao PDR got by. The North of the country is ethnically diverse, with each minority group adhering to different beliefs and ways of life. Some things, however, are universal, such as the reliance on nature and its produce for survival. Burning trees for upland rice cultivation and hunting for food slowly but surely destroys wildlife habitats, creating more and more pressure on ecosystems and impacting the environment severely over a long time. The fumes from burning are harmful to airways and leave children and other villagers coughing with respiratory problems. Saothong’s family was once known as one of the poorest households in the village. Her family planted rice on the mountain slopes, burning the trees of the forest whenever they needed new land. She worked hard, but it wasn’t enough: especially during the rainy season, family members would often go to bed hungry.
This began to change when in 2017, Saothong received seeds, tools, and training on how to set up a vegetable garden. The help came from the World Food Programme’s Local Regional Procurement project. Today, Saothong is one of the most productive vegetable producers in her village and district. She knows how to produce and apply her own biofertilizer so her vegetables grow stronger and taste better. “My family is happier than before, we have more time to make a living. We don’t have to spend long hours in the forest and are not hungry anymore. With my garden, I am able to support my family,” she smiles. Her family, once one of the poorest, has become an example and inspiration to other families who are still struggling. But Saothong is not alone. The Local Regional Procurement project has helped to improve the lives of more than 1,500 people in this area. Farmers now earn an average of US$ 2,500-3,000 per year from their garden, and the valley is vibrant with vegetable gardens. The forest on the mountain slopes is able to slowly regenerate itself since slash-and-burn cultivation has diminished significantly. It’s a win-win situation, both for the people, and their environment.
