Low Levels of Funds For Family Units in rural agriculture in Lao

Low Levels of Funds For Family Units in rural agriculture in Lao

1. High Levels of Debt

   • High levels of whiskey consumption using borrowed money
   • Rice Shortage
   • High health care costs
     • High levels of chronic/serious illness and diseases

2. Low levels of Income

   • Low agriculture production levels
     • Insufficient amounts of rice and crops planted
       • Limited production area
       • Low levels of labor availalbe
         • Poor health of those involved in labor
         • low levels of solidarity within families
         • High levels of youth migration
           • Low levels of confidence in local employment opportunities
     • Lack of livestock
       • High levels/rate of animal death
     • Low rice yield
       • Lack of draught animals to assist in agriculture
       • High levels of pests attacking crops
         • Low amounts of available pest control/ pesticides
       • High levels of lateness in working fields
         • Lack of commitment to small scale agriculture
         • Low levels of family solidarity
         • High levels of hopelessness among youth
       • Lack of services from government departments
         • Low amount of emphasis on rural youth in gov departments
         • Low levels of understanding in gov of what youth need
       • High levels of irregular rainfall
       • Low levels of appropriate rice field land
   • Distance to market is too far to travel
     • Poor road conditions
   • Lack of employment opportunities within commercial agriculture
     • Lack of Access to finance to modernize/ develop ag production and small business
       • Little Access to micorfinance
         • Lack of gov support for microfinance/ other financial instruments
       • Low levels of understanding of already existing funding opportunities
         • Lack of understanding of application process/requirements
         • Application procedures too complicated
       • Lack of community funds to support ag borrowing
     • Low levels of knowledge pertaining to modern agriculture methods
       • Lack of access to non formal agriculture education
       • Insufficient and inadequate vocational training about agriculture
       • Low education level for basic skills that can support farmers