The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos

The rapid expansion of hybrid maize in the uplands of northern Laos is viewed by the government as meeting policy aims related to green economic development. Yet, growing evidence of negative consequences of maize expansion are emerging. Based on farmers’ perceptions, we study: (1) farmers’ reasons...

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Autores principales: Kallio, M.H., Hogarth, N.J., Moeliono, M., Brockhaus, Maria, Cole, R., Bong, I.W., Wong, Grace Y.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2019
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112115
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author Kallio, M.H.
Hogarth, N.J.
Moeliono, M.
Brockhaus, Maria
Cole, R.
Bong, I.W.
Wong, Grace Y.
author_browse Bong, I.W.
Brockhaus, Maria
Cole, R.
Hogarth, N.J.
Kallio, M.H.
Moeliono, M.
Wong, Grace Y.
author_facet Kallio, M.H.
Hogarth, N.J.
Moeliono, M.
Brockhaus, Maria
Cole, R.
Bong, I.W.
Wong, Grace Y.
author_sort Kallio, M.H.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The rapid expansion of hybrid maize in the uplands of northern Laos is viewed by the government as meeting policy aims related to green economic development. Yet, growing evidence of negative consequences of maize expansion are emerging. Based on farmers’ perceptions, we study: (1) farmers’ reasons for adopting and abandoning maize, and; (2) implications of commercial maize expansion on local livelihood security and inclusiveness (food supply, income, risk coping, and ability to join maize growing), and environmental sustainability (productivity, and soil and forest quality) over time (2013 and 2016). Results show that maize has advantages in terms of labour allocation, and it provides much-needed cash income. Yet, swidden is the main food provider and an essential safety net for unforeseen risks (including maize crop failures or price fluctuations). The way that maize was produced did not meet the criteria of green economic development due to its negative effects on the environment (soil and forest degradation) and socioeconomic sustainability (household differentiation, increased economic risks, debts, and food insecurity). By providing a local perspective, this study encourages a critical reflection of the underlying assumptions and conceptualization of the green economy approach in Laos, and argues for policies and measures that consider a more holistic perspective of human wellbeing and the environment.
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spelling CGSpace1121152024-08-30T19:36:47Z The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos Kallio, M.H. Hogarth, N.J. Moeliono, M. Brockhaus, Maria Cole, R. Bong, I.W. Wong, Grace Y. climate change maize swidden agriculture land use change livelihoods The rapid expansion of hybrid maize in the uplands of northern Laos is viewed by the government as meeting policy aims related to green economic development. Yet, growing evidence of negative consequences of maize expansion are emerging. Based on farmers’ perceptions, we study: (1) farmers’ reasons for adopting and abandoning maize, and; (2) implications of commercial maize expansion on local livelihood security and inclusiveness (food supply, income, risk coping, and ability to join maize growing), and environmental sustainability (productivity, and soil and forest quality) over time (2013 and 2016). Results show that maize has advantages in terms of labour allocation, and it provides much-needed cash income. Yet, swidden is the main food provider and an essential safety net for unforeseen risks (including maize crop failures or price fluctuations). The way that maize was produced did not meet the criteria of green economic development due to its negative effects on the environment (soil and forest degradation) and socioeconomic sustainability (household differentiation, increased economic risks, debts, and food insecurity). By providing a local perspective, this study encourages a critical reflection of the underlying assumptions and conceptualization of the green economy approach in Laos, and argues for policies and measures that consider a more holistic perspective of human wellbeing and the environment. 2019-01 2021-03-08T08:18:38Z 2021-03-08T08:18:38Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112115 en Open Access Elsevier Kallio, M.H., Hogarth, N.J., Moeliono, M., Brockhaus, M., Cole, R., Bong, I.W., Wong, G.Y. 2019. The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos. Land Use Policy, 80: 185-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.10.006
spellingShingle climate change
maize
swidden agriculture
land use change
livelihoods
Kallio, M.H.
Hogarth, N.J.
Moeliono, M.
Brockhaus, Maria
Cole, R.
Bong, I.W.
Wong, Grace Y.
The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos
title The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos
title_full The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos
title_fullStr The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos
title_full_unstemmed The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos
title_short The colour of maize: Visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern Laos
title_sort colour of maize visions of green growth and farmers perceptions in northern laos
topic climate change
maize
swidden agriculture
land use change
livelihoods
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112115
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