Independent Technical Review: NT2 Agriculture and Livestock Development Plan

IRN and Environmental Defense commissioned an independent review of the Nam Theun 2 Social Development Plan's (SDP) program for agricultural and livestock development. This program forms one important component of the livelihood system for the 6,200 people to be displaced by Nam Theun 2. The review found that the program is unsustainable and has a high likelihood of failure.

Villagers will need to sell vegetables in exchange for rice, and will need to continually make high levels of inputs into their land. If villagers suffer income reductions because of cold winters, drought, market price reductions, or the inability to sell produce, then a vicious downward spiral will lead to the collapse of their farming plots. This could lead to a serious food security situation amongst resettled communities.