Progressing large ruminant productivity and transboundary disease risk management for smallholder poverty reduction in northern Lao PDR

Abstract

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) is a land-locked nation located in the heart of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), sharing borders with five countries; China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Laos comprises multiple ethnic groups, had a population of 6.3 million people in 2011, a large majority of the population is dependent on agriculture and approximately 66% of the total population in 2008 lives on or below USD 2 per day. Improving large ruminant productivity has been recognised as one of the most important national issues that can provide sustainable growth of the economy and reduce rural poverty and food insecurity. This research used participatory applied field approach involving epidemiological studies and on-farm field research trials. The research has provided substantial information on: the financial impact of the most important TADs, being FMD; current smallholder large ruminant production parameters; and detailed farmer knowledge, attitudes and practices on large ruminant health and production. This information has addressed some of the numerous constraints on smallholder large ruminant health and production in Laos. The financial impact assessment has provided detailed insight into the impact of FMD on smallholder farmers compared with previous studies in the region that have largely attributed benefits in FMD control to the commercial livestock sector. The assessment confirmed that FMD causes significant losses to smallholder farmers and the national economy. The financial losses due to FMD per household ranged from USD 381 in XYL to USD 1,124 in LPB (p < 0.001), being 16% and 60% of annual household income, respectively. At the national level, this study estimated financial losses due to FMD during the recent 2011 epidemic in Laos as approximately USD 13.5 million. However, there was a broad range of outcomes if scenarios of under- and over - reporting of FMD are considered, these being in the vicinity of USD 103.4 million and USD 6.4 million, respectively. This research shows an approach to improve knowledge of smallholders and livestock extension staff in large ruminant FMD risk management. Improved public awareness of FMD control is a very important step for Laos to be able to improve smallholder large ruminant production. In addition to improving biosecurity practices and FMD control, smallholder large ruminant farmers in Laos have to address numerous management constraints, including: health issues (fascioliasis, toxocariasis and Haemorrhagic septicaemia control); nutritional deficits; low reproductive performance and absent or poor breeding management; high slaughter rates of pregnant cows; undeveloped trade and marketing systems; limited veterinary and extension service capacity; and importantly, failures in regulatory compliance. Addressing these issues may offer opportunities for leading large ruminant keepers to develop small to medium sized livestock production enterprises, offering a viable pathway to alleviate rural poverty and improve food insecurity in Laos and the broader GMS.