Population Dynamics and Paddy Holdings in Remote Rural Villages of Northern Laos

Abstract

This study investigated changes in population dynamics and paddy holdings over three generations in two villages established by the Lao people in a basin in northern Laos. In the study area, government policy has promoted migration from highlands since the 1970s. However, there was limited land for new paddy reclamation in the basin, and therefore many residents who migrated from highlands, mainly Khmu people, had limited opportunities to engage in wet-rice cultivation in the basin villages where they resided and ultimately continued the subsistence swidden agriculture they had practiced in the highlands. The common method of acquiring new paddies in basin villages, where it is difficult to develop new paddies, is to purchase paddies from residents who have moved away from the villages. Many residents waited for such opportunities and worked in urban areas to make money to purchase paddies. Migrants from highlands in these basin villages are faced with the choice of staying in the basin, where paddy fields are scarce, or migrating to urban areas. We found that the basin villages functioned as intermediate points for migration between highlands and urban areas.