Workshop on Upland Cultivation in the Context of Increasing Economic Integration in the Greater Mekong Subregion
(June 20 – 22, 2007 – Mekong Institute, Khon Kean, Thailand )
The Context and Theme of the Workshop:The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) which comprises of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan and Guangxi provinces of PRC, is home to over 250 million people with a large majority residing in the rural areas. In spite of the fastest growing economy, the rural livelihood system in the region is essentially based on subsistence agriculture. Farming systems in the upland areas (the hills and the mountains) of the GMS are characterized by shifting cultivation of paddy and field crops. The human population pressure and the changing social and economic contexts have been the major driving forces in the farming systems transformation in the region. Intensification of farming systems and the introduction of cash crops in the upland farming systems are the responses to increasing population pressure and increasing market access. In recent years, the promotion of export-orientated crops has been perceived as the key to economic integration and growth in the GMS. Private investments have been encouraged to expand the market economy in the GMS. Consequently, subsistence agriculture-based rural livelihood systems in the upland areas of the GMS are rapidly undergoing transformation towards market-based intensive agriculture.There is a growing awareness about the need for pursuing the impact of farming system transformation, which is influenced by increasing economic integration, especially on the rural livelihood systems in the upland areas of the GMS. Due to this the Mekong Institute (MI) is organising a Workshop entitled ‘Upland Cultivation in the Context of Increasing Economic Integration in the Greater Mekong Sub-region’ from 20 to 22 June 2007 in its premises in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The workshop, taking into account the social, economic, and ecological aspects, will focus on emerging issues of rapidly transforming upland farming systems of the GMS. The themes of the workshop will include:> Agro-ecosystem Dynamics of Upland /Shifting Cultivation Systems> Increasing Economic Integration and Rural Livelihood Changes in the Uplands of GMS> National/Regional Policy on Upland Farming in the GMS> Impact of Economic Corridors development in the Upland Farming Systems of the GMS> Future of Upland Farming System in the GMS RegionParticipants:Delegates of the workshop will include representatives from a wide range of educational, research and policy institutions with active interest in the emerging issues of upland cultivation in the GMS. A total of around 40 delegates are expected in the workshop. Invited resource persons with long research/development experiences in the GMS will provide regional perspectives on the issues to be dealt with. Country paper presentations focusing on national policy and priorities, will be made by participants representing GMS countries. The papers presented in the workshop will be published as workshop proceedings, after editing.Call for Papers:This announcement serves as Open Call for Papers on the five workshop themes mentioned above. Potential contributors are requested to indicate their interest by completing the attached form at the earliest and to send full paper (or at least extended abstract) by 18 May 2007. Notification of the acceptance of the paper and invitation to the workshop will be sent by the end of May 2007.Support for Participation:MI will be pleased to provide full support (workshop fee, travel, accommodation including breakfast, and lunch) to 4 to 6 participants from each GMS country. Preference will be given to authors of workshop papers and the invited speakers.How to Apply for Support?Please complete the attached form duly and send the same to us at any of the following addresses at the earliest.For more information please contact:Dr. Jharendu PantTel: +66 (0) 43 202411/2 Ext.. 127Email: jharendu@mekonginstitute.orgMr. Bhoj Raj KhanalTel: +66 (0) 43 202411/2 Ext.. 401Email: bhoj@mekonginstitute.orgMs. Trinh Thi Khanh ChiTel: +66 (0) 43 202411/2 Ext.. 104Email: chi@mekonginstitute.org(Source:Trinh Khanh Chi, 18 April 2007)
