SHIFTING CULTIVATION IN THE VIEW OF POVERTY

REDUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION

A case of Van Kieu indigenous people in Quang Tri province, Vietnam

Prepared by: Dang Vu Bao - 07539705Supervised by: S.A Prof. Masaaki YAMADA

Mid-term presentation session11 May 2009

Background - What is shifting cultivation?

Fallowing

Secondary forest

Primary forest

Burning

Planting

Harvesting

Slashing

Shifting cultivation pattern

Plot A1-2 years

Plot C1-2 years

Plot B1 -2 years

Scenario 1

Scenario 2

Statement of Problem

The Government of Vietnam efforts for replacing shifting cultivation with sedentary agriculture since 1968.

However,

After more than 40 years, shifting cultivation is still practiced nationwide.

So,

It is necessary to understand what shifting cultivation really is.

1.16 million ha of shifting fields planted annually by 3.1 million cultivators. (UNDP, 2004)

Study Objective

To discuss the shifting cultivation practiced by Van Kieu people.

In other words,

To record the indigenous knowledge and belief in shifting cultivation practiced by Van Kieu people.

Materials and Methods

Primary data Where 2 villages of 2 communes, Dakrong district Who Van Kieu people: The elders, middle-aged

men and women, the young

How PRAs tools: semi-structured interview, participant observation, field observation

Expected output Narrative-text report

Secondary data Sources Published and unpublished documents,

museums

Mo O commune

Dakrong commune

Findings and discussions

Shifting cultivation by Van Kieu peopleSteps Calendar Tools/technique Belief Customary laws

1. Field selection

February Big knife (Pria), judgment of soil fertility

Taboo, Omen Marking ownership

2. Slashing Feb Mar Pria, axe; stumps left over Auspicious day

3. Burning Mar Apr Pria; biomass as fertilizer Auspicious day Firebreak wall

4. Planting April May Dibbler; intercropping, no tillage

Offering, Rice seedling respected

5. Tending June Aug Xariem, sickle, dibbler; fencing, trapping, weeding,

No fertilizerCattle roaming

6. Harvesting Aug Oct Bamboo basket, plucking the grains by hands

Mother of Rice (Kan Tro)

No intrusion

7. Fallowing 2- 3 years Ownership remained

Shifting cultivation by Van Kieu people

What to do When How What to believeSelect the land or not

What to respect

Select a plot of land

February (lunar month)

1. Use indigenous knowledge to judge soil fertility with indicators such as soil color and cover vegetation.

2. Mark the ownership by making a slot in a tree with a big knife, then inserting some green tree branches into the slot.

DREAM – spiritual approval. If dreaming of guests, child, GOOD OMEN. If blood, cock, BAD OMEN.

TABOO: Banyan tree, tree hit by thunder

A plot of land marked for ownership

Interpretation: primitive but effective

Pointed head of the dibbler

Dibbler used for planting

Interpretation: a plot of land under ownership

Interpretation: food-security

Banana

CassavaMaize

Interpretation: Soil fertility

Reed (grass)

Interpretation: Fallow management

Acacia Fruit-tree

Banana

Interpretation: not much forest cover destroyed

Thank you for your attention!