Abstract
SUMMARY The government of the Lao PDR has plans to eliminate shifting cultivation by 2010 and poppy growing in 2006. These practices were examined. In 2000, they covered 680,000 ha in upland areas and involved 344,000 farming families. The principal practical alternatives to shifting cultivation such as agroforestry systems, the expansion of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and related livelihood systems are discussed in detail as well as government policies and initiatives to promote them. At present, the government has punitive laws concerning shifting cultivation and most gathering of NTFPs is officially illegal. But it is only just starting to encourage sustainable land use practices. Existing initiatives are discussed and plans are proposed to promote agroforestry and sustainable non-timber forest products management and use as part of a viable strategy to eliminate shifting cultivation and provide alternatives to poppy growing. This must be done with the active cooperation and participation of the upland farmers.
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