Email: maliphone@nuol.edu.la

Affiliation: National University of Laos

Nationality: Laos

Sustainable Livelihoods and Gender Roles in Mushroom Farming: A Case Study in Nabong Village, Pak Ngum District, Vientiane Capital, Laos

Abstract

This study examines the intersection of gender roles, livelihood sustainability, and labor-intensive agricultural practices in commercial mushroom farming in Nabong Village, Laos. Using Scoones' Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the research explores how human, physical, natural, financial, and social capital influence livelihood strategies, gendered labor division, and household well-being. Mushroom farming serves as a primary or supplementary income source, supporting rural households by enhancing economic stability, reducing dependency on external markets, and creating employment opportunities.

Research findings reveal a gender division of labor with women primarily responsible for reproductive tasks such as childcare, food preparation, and household management, alongside their major contributions to mushroom farming in tasks such as spawn inoculation, bag preparation, and daily maintenance. Men predominantly engage in physically demanding roles such as substrate sterilization and market logistics, with a notable finding that men take the lead in steaming the substrate bags-a crucial step in the cultivation process. Both men and women experience severe sleep deprivation during peak preparation periods, particularly when handling the intensive steaming and inoculation process at night.

Despite its economic potential, mushroom farming presents challenges including production risks (diseases and contamination), financial burdens (high initial investments), labor intensity, and market competition. The study highlights the need for technological innovations to reduce labor burdens, particularly introducing high-tech, environmentally friendly steaming techniques using electric-powered sterilization to replace traditional fuel-based methods. Such innovations could enhance efficiency, sustainability, and gender equity by reducing the physical strain on both men and women.

The study underscores the importance of gender-sensitive interventions in agrarian livelihoods, emphasizing policies that promote equitable resource access, labor-saving technology, and financial support for small-scale farmers. Addressing gender inequities and technological limitations is crucial for ensuring that mushroom farming remains a sustainable and inclusive livelihood strategy, fostering resilience in rural agricultural communities.

Bio

Dr. Maliphone Douangphachanh is a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos. She holds a PhD in Gender and Development and an MA in Education – Planning and Administration in Education. Her research focuses on agriculture, gender, rural employment, and child supervision, with a strong emphasis on gender-sensitive approaches to agrarian livelihoods and rural development.

She has extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research, including household surveys, in-depth interviews, and field coordination. As a research project coordinator, she has led data collection teams, managed research logistics, and facilitated interdisciplinary collaborations. She is also an experienced resource person for Gender, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion).

Beyond academia, she has contributed to digital innovations for agrarian research, including creating Excel-based CTO survey forms for tablet-based data collection. She was also involved in developing digital content for the Lao coffee value chain game, where she contributed to content creation, game design, proofreading translations (English to Lao), and dissemination strategies.

Her work bridges research and policy contributing to gender-responsive and sustainable development in Laos and Southeast Asia.