Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/63265
Title: Gendered Roles in Agrarian Transition: A Study of Lowland Rice Farming in Lao PDR
Contributor(s): Moglia, Magnus (author); Alexander, Kim S  (author)orcid ; Larson, Silva (author); (Giger)-Dray, Anne (author); Greenhalgh, Garry (author); Thammavong, Phommath (author); Thephavanh, Manithaythip (author); Case, Peter (author)
Publication Date: 2020-07-01
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/su12135403
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/63265
Abstract: 

Traditional lifestyles of lowland rice farmers of the southern provinces of Lao People's Democratic Republic are rapidly changing, due to two important trends. Firstly, there is a push towards modernization and commercialization of farming. Secondly, though farmers still focus on rice farming as a key activity, there is an increasing move towards diversification of livelihoods. The changes have seen the uptake of non-rice crops, livestock husbandry and forest and river utilization" as well as non-farming activities. This has influenced gender relations, impacting household agricultural production decisions and amplified transitional trends. To explore the processes, we analyzed data from a study of innovation adoption amongst rice farmers in southern Lao PDR. The study revealed nuances of gender-based differences in the priorities and attitudes towards farming and off-farm activities, as well as differences in behaviour related to the adoption of new practices. Women were more focused on non-farming practices and considered engaging in the modern, non-traditional, economy more so than men. Women also reported experiencing greater challenges when engaging and trading in the agricultural marketplace. The study supports the importance of taking a gendered approach to understanding the inherent complexities within agrarian change.

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Sustainability, 12(13), p. 1-20
Publisher: MDPI AG
Place of Publication: Switzerland
ISSN: 2071-1050
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 3099 Other agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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