Alternative Options for Food Security of Rural Poor Farmers

There are several challenges in food security of rural poor farmers in Laos, including low quality of upland agriculture productions, limited technical knowledge and a lack of financial security. Primary objective of the research was to assess alternative options and needs for improving food security of local villagers. The methodology includes reviewing documents and reports, interviewing key informants from the local governments using a mixed quantitative and qualitative data analysis approach. It is found that key alternative options are to improve food security through improving local communities? capacity in food production, and their ability to access markets to sell excess produce, as well as create alternative employment, and provide basic agricultural materials and inputs to local producers. Forest restoration is also important for balancing ecosystem and livelihoods. It is also a crucial element to mitigate climate change and conserve local biodiversity. The suggested recommendation is useful for improving food security of local farmers and sustainable forest management and land use planning or decision making.