Farmers in northern Laos are experiencing rapid transformation from subsistence agriucltural production to intensive cash crop cultivation since the last decade. This transformation has been especially accompanied by conversion of sercondary forest areas in the upland which have been part of the upland swidden system into permanent agricultural land. Introduction of new crops such as sugar cane, maize, and rubber are incurring new economic opportunities for the upland farmers which have been primarily dependent on upland rice cultivation for household food consumption. While commercialization of agricultural production in the upland areas is promoted by the government which aims to alleviate rural poverty, by providing an alternative to shifting cultivation and opium production in the upland areas, not all upland communities are able to catpure the emerging opportunities. The current research examines land use change patterns and driving forces of farmer’s decisions on changing land use and selecting crops particularly in areas along the new North-South Economic Corridor that passess through Luang Namtha and Bokeo provinces in northwest Laos. We incoporate spatial analysis using Landsat and Aster sattelite images from different time periods to understand the recent trend of land use change in Sing and Vieng Phoukha District of Louang Namtha Province as well as Houayxay District of Bokeo Province. The research also incorporates different interview techniques including cognitive mapping, group interviews, household interviews to analyze key factors that influenced communities’ land and resource management practices as well as farmers’ decision on land use and selection of crops over the last decade. Finally, the current research incorporates policy review and stakeholder discussions at the local level to understand the gaps bewteen government policies that affect land and resource use in the study sites.
