Pouthong village is located in Viengkham district. Since 2015, the EFICAS project supports the village community in designing and implementing land use plans that incorporate innovative agroecology practices amongst which the improvement of crop-livestock interactions is central.

Activities have started in 2015 with the participatory identification and fencing of four livestock areas, collectively agreed regulations on animal roaming, sowing of a limited area of improved forages, and the investment in animal health through the training of four village veterinary workers, and the establishment of an animal health revolving fund. In 2016 and 2017, farmers have enlarged and consolidated fences, increased the improved pasture area (up to 60 ha), re-discussed collective vs personal management of fodder resources and invested in animal well-being through the set-up of collective and individual stalls. Animal vaccination rate has tripled and farmers engaged in the short-term fattening of goats have seen their income increased significantly. Few farmers started to collect and use animal manure for their vegetable gardens. In 2018, the set-up of two water tanks close to animal stalls has further tighten-up the links existing between crop and animal production systems. 49 households (out of the 72 village households) are currently engaged in manure composting and vegetable production during the dry season.

A short video on this “vegetable-goat raising” integrated system is available here.