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\hypersetup{pdftitle={Contribution of Non"=timber Forest Products to Local Economic Development in Laos: the Case of Cardamom in Luang Namtha Province},pdfauthor={Chalathon Choocharoen, Antonia Schneider, Andreas Neef, Pavlos  Georgiadis},pdfsubject={Tropentag 2010: Abstract},pdfkeywords={Cardamom, Income Opportunities, NTFPs, Qualitative Research, Supply Chain},pdfpagemode=None,colorlinks=true}
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\parbox[b]{13.4cm}{\centering \large{\textbf{Tropentag, September 14-16, 2010, Zurich}}\\[1ex] \Large{``World Food System  ---\\A Contribution from Europe''\\[2ex]}}
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\begin{center}
\Large{\textbf{Contribution of Non"=timber Forest Products to Local Economic Development in Laos: the Case of Cardamom in Luang Namtha Province\footnote{\textbf{Contact Address:} Chalathon Choocharoen, University of Hohenheim, Department of Social Sciences in Agriculture, Stuttgart, Germany, \mbox{e-mail}: \email{c.choocharoen@uni-hohenheim.de}}\\[0.8ex]}}
\normalsize{\textsc{Chalathon Choocharoen$^{1}$, Antonia Schneider$^{1}$, Andreas Neef$^{2}$, Pavlos  Georgiadis$^{1}$}}
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\begin{itemize*}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{1}$University of Hohenheim, Department of Social Sciences in Agriculture, Germany}}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{2}$Kyushu University, Faculty of Agriculture, Fukuoka, Japan, }}}
\end{itemize*}
\index[author]{Choocharoen, Chalathon}
\index[author]{Schneider, Antonia}
\index[author]{Neef, Andreas}
\index[author]{Georgiadis, Pavlos }
\begin{center}
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\textbf{Abstract}
\begin{abstract}
\normalsize{
Expanding economic opportunities for rural smallholders and connecting them to markets by improving existing supply chains leads to a decrease of poverty in rural areas. Cardamom (Amomum spp.) is a non"=timber forest product (NTFP) gathered in forests and cultivated as a domesticated crop in northern Laos. In this study, the economic potential of the crop in conditions of increased resource scarcity is determined and strategies for establishing improved communication channels between researchers and rural farmers are discussed. Fieldwork involved participant observations, group discussions, seasonal calendars and timelines in 18 villages of the study area. Semi"=structured interviews with collectors (n=29), growers (n=41), traders (n=7), representatives of export companies (n=2) and government officials (n=3) identified problems and opportunities within the supply chain of cardamom in the region.



Findings suggest that there is a high demand for cardamom in the Chinese market, especially for improved varieties currently cultivated in the study regions. Cultivation and marketing of the crop provide a significant benefit for rural farmers, especially those with low income opportunities. A shift from collection of wild cardamom to cultivation of improved varieties offers a possibility for those farmers who are highly dependent on the use of declining forest resources, including NTFPs for consumption or sale. Therefore, good agricultural practices for cultivation of cardamom --- provided that access to markets is ensured --- open the potential for alternative income generation. Being ecologically functional and also accepted by the local population, this can strengthen local economies and lead to an expansion of incomes for participating farmers. 



An understanding of the supply chain of cardamom as a high value crop provides insights for improvements and strategies that can be applied to other NTFPs of the area. Further research on the market potential, available infrastructure and knowledge gaps on cardamom diversity suitable for cultivation as well as other underutilised and neglected crops is recommended in order to define further income options for the rural populations of upland regions of Laos. Moreover, policy implications that determine agricultural land use and influence the development of certain NTFPs in the area need to be considered. 



}

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\noindent \textbf{Keywords:} Cardamom, Income Opportunities, NTFPs, Qualitative Research, Supply Chain
\index[key]{Cardamom}
\index[key]{Income Opportunities}
\index[key]{NTFPs}
\index[key]{Qualitative Research}
\index[key]{Supply Chain}
\end{document}