Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Enhancing on-farm incomes through improved silvicultural management of teak and paper mulberry plantations in Luang Prabang Province of Lao PDR

Project ID:
FST/2004/057
Collaborating Countries:
Lao PDR
Project Locations
Commissioned Organisation:
University of Queensland, Australia
Project Leader
Dr Mark Dieters
Phone: 61 7 3365 7410
Fax: 61 7 3365 1177
Email: m.dieters@uq.edu.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Laos
  • Salwood Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, Australia
  • Souphanavong University, Laos
  • Luang Prabang Agriculture and Forestry College, Laos
Project Budget:
$805,729
Project Duration:
01/04/2008 - 30/03/2012
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Russell Haines
Project Overview

A recent ACIAR scoping study defined a major opportunity for enhancing incomes of farmers living in the upland regions of northern Laos by improving silviculture. This includes inter-planting with a tree-form non-timber forest product, paper mulberry. Focusing on the Luang Prabang province, the project team will help to improve silvicultural management of teak plantations, develop and refine agroforestry systems involving teak and paper mulberry, and implement village-based genetic improvement of teak. The project will establish a farmer-participatory teak selection and testing program and undertake economic and social analyses using assessments of whole-farm budgets in comparison to alternative land-use options. Incorporating paper mulberry into a mixed teak agroforestry system will realise annual incomes from as little as two years after planting.