Initiatives to ease climate change impact on farmers

Vientiane Times, 17 May 2010

The Lao government and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) have
introduced climate change adaptation initiatives to mitigate the
impact of climate change on agriculture and the livelihoods of rural
people in Savannakhet province.

Three vulnerable villages in Champhone district were selected as a
demonstration site, where the MRC's climate change and adaptation
initiative will work with local farmers to assess how they may be
affected by projected changes to the climate in coming years,
according to the commission.

The initiatives will also test out measures to adapt to these changes,
particularly in relation to awareness raising and training for
villagers and improving water supply.

Savannakhet provincial programme coordinator, Mr Inpasith Sihalath,
told the Vientiane Times on Thursday that the one-year programme begun
in January will demonstrate farming techniques believed to mitigate
the impact of the changeable climate.

The programme is introducing farmers to particular crop species that
are adaptable to changing weather conditions.

“We are introducing farmers to particular rice species that require
less growing time before harvesting and have better resistance to
flooding,” Mr Inpasith said, adding that the programme would
distribute seeds to farmers.

Early harvest prior to the rainy season means avoiding loss to heavy
rain. These species are suitable for low-lying fields.

The programme is working with selected model families in the three
villages of Kengkok Neua, Nakathang and Taleo, which are most
vulnerable to being flooded in the rainy season.

The programme will also analyse soil quality to help identify which
crops are appropriate instead of rice in flood-risk fields, Mr
Inpasith said.

The MRC says in its news release that the Mekong region is one of the
most vulnerable in the world to the long term impacts of climate
change, due to the relatively high proportion of people living on low
incomes and regional low government capacity to deal with the issue.

“Like other areas of the Lower Mekong Basin, people in Savannakhet are
facing climate risks,” the MRC quoted Mr Synouan Sihalath, Water
Resources and Environment Agency Office Head in Savannakhet province,
as saying.

“Savannakhet is highly vulnerable to floods and drought, and
agricultural areas are affected by climate risks.”

Director of MRC's Environment Division, Dr Pornsook Chongprasith, said
“The demonstration site activities in the four Lower Mekong Basin
countries will benefit the communities directly and provide lessons
learned for up-scaling or replicating.”

The MRC also intends to develop similar sites in Thailand, Cambodia
and Vietnam.