A preliminary assessment of the effect of out-migration on the swidden landscape: A case study in Southern Chin State

A preliminary assessment of the effect of out-migration on the swidden landscape: A case study in Southern Chin StateNyein Chan1* & Takeda Shinya21Assistant Lecturer, University of Forestry, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, MYANMAR2 Professor, Gradaute School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, JAPANOctober 24, 2016

Major referenceMountain Research and Development 36(3): 320-331http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D14-00083.1

OutlineIntroductionObjectivesStudy siteMethodFindingsDiscussionsConclusionKeywordsAboveground biomassCollective swidden practiceOut-migrationREDD+Myanmar

IntroductionSwidden agriculture: primitive form of agriculture in a given condition

SwiddenA land use system, widely used by ethnic groups in SE Asia, that employs a natural or improved fallow phase, which is longer than the cultivation phase of annual crops, sufficiently long to be dominated by woody vegetation, and cleared by means of fire (Mertz et al. 2009)Schematic diagram of traditional swidden system

As you all know, swidden agriculture is 4

Introduction (Contd;)Swidden agriculture: primitive form of agriculture in a given condition

Swidden fallow landscapeA mosaic of forests of different age, including all complexes of woody vegetation derived from the clearing of closed and open forests by swidden cultivation (Brown & Lugo 1990; Lanly 1982)Schematic diagram of traditional swidden system

As you all know, swidden agriculture is 5

Introduction (Contd;)Demise of swidden or transition of swidden into other land uses (Special issues of Human Ecology in 2009 & 2013)Political changesEconomic changesSocial changesOut-migration contributes to household income (Nyein Chan & Takeda, 2016)

As you all know, swidden agriculture is 6

Introduction (Contd;)According to population census 2014 in Myanmar > 9 million ( 18% of total population) out-migrated in and out of the country> 3 million of out-migrants mainly for employmentImpacts of out-migration on swidden landscape - highlighted

Source: DoP, 2015

As you all know, swidden agriculture is 7

ObjectivesSpecific objectivesTo assess the changes in swidden fallow landscapeTo analyze the effect of out-migration on socio-economic status of swiddenersTo estimate the biomass recovery of swidden cultivated fallows abandoned by out-migrated swiddenersOverall objectiveTo contribution to the formulation of REDD+ program at local level, especially in swidden landscape

Study site

T villageEstablished in1957Location2149N; 9328EPopulation523 (2013); ZotungVillage area (ha)ca. 2657LivelihoodSwidden + Terrace + OthersVegetationSub-tropical hill evergreen forestElev: (m amsl)1337EnvironmentalfactorsRainfall: c. 1,450 mm; Temp: 21 C; Soil: Fluvisol

MethodSocio-economic censusSemi-structured questionnairesIndividual interviews vs. group meetingPrimary vs. secondary dataVegetation biomass surveyChronosequence approach (1~9-year-old fallows)Random setting (four plots in each fallow year)Destructive sampling for biomass estimation

FindingsReduce in the number of households & extent of swidden area

Findings (Contd;)Reduce in the number of households & extent of swidden area

Findings (Contd;)Out-migration status in T village (2013)

Findings (Contd;)Effect of out-migration on socio-economic status of swiddeners

Findings (Contd;)Biomass accumulation in swidden fallows

Findings (Contd;)Biomass recovery trend in swidden fallows

Old Forest (OF)

DiscussionsSwidden area decreased in this study due to internal and external factors (terrace farming introduction, elephant foot yam semi-domestication, out-migration, etc.)Similar findings reported by Schmook et al. (2013) in a case study in Calakmul communities, MexicoRemittance from out-migrants contributes to the socio-economic status of swiddeners and also decrease in swidden area (i.e., increase in fallow landscape)

DiscussionsREDD+: dual goal (poverty reduction & environmental conservation) (Hett et al. 2012)REDD+ planning: supportive policies and incentive measuresSupportive policies: Forest transition alternative livelihood activitiesIncentive measures: Agricultural intensification (terrace farming, elephant foot yam semi-domestication, positive market access, transportation infrastructure)

ConclusionNo. of households engaging in swidden decreased by 50% over 2003-201320% of total village population out-migrated for employmentContribution by remittance from out-migrants to the household income significantSwidden fallow landscape increased in biomass accumulation due to increasing trend in biomass recoveryContributed to the fundamentals for REDD+ planning

ReferencesMertz et al. 2009. Human Ecology 37(3):281-289.Lanly 1982. Tropical forest resource (FAO Forestry Paper No. 30). FAO, Rome.Brown & Lugo 1990. Journal of Tropical Ecology 6(01):1-32.Nyein Chan & Takeda, S. 2016. Mountain Research & Development 36(3): 320-331.DoP [Department of Population] 2015. The 2014 Myanmar Population & Housing Census (Union Report): Census report vol.2. DoP, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.Schmook et al. 2013. Human Ecology 41: 93-107.Hett et al. 2012. Mountain Research & Development 32(4): 390-399.