Strategies for Enhancing Production and Marketing of Dried Freshwater Algae Sheets in Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR

This study was conducted to investigate: 1) socio-economic attributes of farmers producing dried fresh water algae sheets in Luang Prabang province, Lao P.D.R.; 2) current conditions of production and marketing of the farmers; and 3) guidelines for promoting production and marketing of the farmers. A set of questionnaires was used for data collection administered with a sample group of 92 farmers producing dried fresh water algae sheets. Obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Results of the study revelated that most of the respondents were female, 41-50 years old, elementary school graduates and they had 3-5 family members on average. A monthly income of the respondents was less than 5,000,000 Kips. The respondents had 5-10 years of experience in dried fresh water algae sheets production. Most of them (96.7%) had never reared cattle. They searched raw materials from nature in their area (92.4%). Most of the respondents (83.7%) used their own capital for dried fresh algae sheets production. Environmental conditions and capital were key factors effecting production process of the respondents. Distribution market was the main problem encountered which might be due to a stiff competition and difficult market access.