The Role of Capacity Building for Livestock Extension and Development in Lao PDR PDF Download

Author: Viengxay Photakoun
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural education
Languages : en
Pages : 187

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Book Description
"Most farming families in the remote northern uplands of Lao PDR live in relative poverty, relying on subsistence agriculture. Many of the poor farmers are dependent upon government, non-government and other development and private sector organisations for technical advice and support. They need effective extension services to provide advice on marketing information, commercial and technical options, in order to supplement traditional practices and improve their livelihoods. The Lao government wants to reduce poverty through economic growth and providing alternatives to poor households who practice shifting cultivation. However, the district extension staff who are working in remote regions are limited in both quality and quantity. Improving the knowledge and skills of extension staff working with upland rural commodities is a key goal of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This thesis explores the role of capacity building being used for extension staff who are working across a range of livestock projects in the northern uplands of Lao PDR. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Livestock Project Managers and two Provincial Coordinators in five northern provinces to find out what capacity building methods they used and the relative effectiveness of each method. In-depth interviews were subsequently held with 10 District Heads and 20 District Extension Officers to gain more local perspectives on capacity building including factors influencing outcomes at the farmer level. Suggestions on how the capacity building of livestock extension staff can be strengthened and sustained were elicited from all interviewees. In addition, a survey was conducted of 30 District Extension Officers to rate eight capacity building methods against required competencies in livestock production."--Abstract.