Title of document: Risk Perception and Lowland Rice Farming Change in Savannakhet Province, Southern Laos Authors/editor: Chanthavisouk Ninchaluene, Santi Piyadeth, Ian G. Baird Journal’s name if any: European Journal of East Asian Studies Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Savannakhet University, University of Wisconsin-Madison Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Lowland rice cultivation is changing in southern Laos. A formalised survey and informal interviews in the lowlands of Savannakhet Province indicate that while some farmers still raise water buffaloes, farmers now mainly use hand-held mechanised ploughs to till their fields. More chemical fertilisers are being used, and improved seed varieties have become dominant, with native varieties disappearing. Due to these changes, rice yields have increased substantially, with many more farmers selling surplus rice. The trade-offs are, however, not simple…   Read More

Title of document: Insect Pest Management Authors/editor: Annie Deutsch and Stacy Swartz Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: EDN Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://edn.link/ipm2 Summary: Insect pests affect all forms of agricultural production, from densely planted field crops to high-value nursery plants to grains in storage. This article explains some principles and practices for conducting in-field observations (sampling) to inform pest management decisions. General principles and practices are discussed for detecting, identifying, and monitoring pest populations, in order to inform next steps.   Read More

Title of document: Managing Pesticides for Greener Growth in Lao PDR (Ver. English & Laotian) Authors/editor: World Bank Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: World bank Year of publication: 2021 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Pesticides management is important for sustainable agriculture and green growth. Sound pesticides management and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in particular are widely acknowledged as important mechanisms to mitigate pre- and post-harvest losses and to achieve sustainable agricultural intensification.   Read More

Title of document: Ecological pest control fortifies agricultural growth in Asia–Pacific economies Authors/editor: Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Yanhui Lu, Wenwu Zhou, Matthew J. W. Cock, Steven E. Naranjo, Atumurirava Fereti, Frances E. Williams & Michael J. Furlong Journal’s name if any: nature ecology & evolution Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: nature ecology & evolution Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Asia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-020-01294-y Summary: The Green Revolution is credited with alleviating famine, mitigating poverty and driving aggregate economic growth since the 1960s. In Asia, high-input technology packages secured a tripling of rice output, with germplasm improvements providing benefits beyond US$4.3 billion yr–1. Here, we unveil the magnitude and macro-economic relevance of parallel nature-based contributions to productivity growth in non-rice crops over the period 1918–2018 (across 23 different Asia–Pacific geopolitical entities). We empirically demonstrate how biological control resolved invasive pest threats in multiple agricultural commodities, ensuring annually accruing (on-farm) benefits of US$14.6–19.5 billion yr–1. Scientifically guided biological control of 43 exotic invertebrate pests permitted 73–100% yield-loss recovery in critical food, feed and fibre crops including banana, breadfruit, cassava and coconut. Biological control thereby promoted rural growth and prosperity even in marginal, poorly endowed, non-rice environments. By placing agro-ecological innovations on equal footing with input-intensive measures, our work provides lessons for future efforts to mitigate invasive species, restore ecological resilience and sustainably raise output of global agrifood systems…   Read More

Title of document: Resolving the twin human and environmental health hazards of a plant-based diet Authors/editor: Kris A.G.Wyckhuys, Alexandre Aebi, Maarten F.I.J, .Bijleveld van Lexmond, Carlos R.Bojaca, Jean-Marc Bonmatin, Lorenzo Furlan, Jairo A.Guerrero, Trinh V.Mai, Hoi V.Pham, Francisco Sanchez-Bayo, Yoshinori Ikenaka Journal’s name if any: Environment International, Volume 144, November 2020, 106081 Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Global level Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Fruits and vegetables constitute core constituents of ‘planetary health’ diets…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020320365 Summary: Food can be health-giving. A global transition towards plant-based diets may equally help curb carbon emissions, slow land-system change and conserve finite resources. Yet, projected benefits of such ‘planetary health’ diets imperfectly capture the environmental or societal health outcomes tied to food production. Here, we examine pesticide-related hazards of fruit and vegetable consumption, and list proven management alternatives per commodity, geography and chemical compound. Across countries, pesticide use in these alleged healthful foods is extensive with up to 97% food items containing residues and up to 42% posing dietary risks to consumers…   Read More

Title of document: ASEAN Action Plan on Fall Armyworm Control Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first reported in Southeast Asia in late 2018 in Thailand and Myanmar. It has since rapidly spread, and its presence is now confirmed in almost all ASEAN countries. The pest, which feeds on more than 350 plant species, can cause major damage, particularly to maize crops. Now it is endemic in the region, management will need to be focused on control rather than eradication. The impact of the Fall Armyworm’s presence in the ASEAN region will be considerable. Estimates using 10% crop damage across ASEAN maize crops indicates an annual US$884 million cost. Both in lost farmer income and as buyers are forced to import maize. ASEAN farmers are in urgent need of effective, locally valid and regionally relevant management solutions. Appropriate, cost-effective and practical integrated pest management (IPM) methods also wait to be developed, validated, promoted and/or scaled up.   Read More

Title of document: Pesticides uses and risk perceptions Authors/editor: Eve Bureau-Point Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CNRS, CNE Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Cambodia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: risk perception, the strategies of control…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The presentation for the workshop “Pesticides, Agriculture and Food: Multiple and Growing concerns in Cambodia”, 28th of November 2019   Read More

Title of document: Promoting Organic Agricultural Practices Authors/editor: Mr. NOUN Tum                                 Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: EAC Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Cambodia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Briefing about Khmer Organic Cooperative; Cooperatives we are working with; The agricultural practices of the farmers…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The presentation for the workshop “Pesticides, Agriculture and Food: Multiple and Growing concerns in Cambodia”, 28th of November 2019   Read More

Title of document: Role of Department of Agricultural Legislation on the Management of Pesticides in Cambodia Authors/editor: Mr. Phum Ra, Mr. Kan Kompheak and Thong Soklin        Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: DAL/ MAFF Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Cambodia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: about DAL; Pesticide Management…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The presentation for the workshop “Pesticides, Agriculture and Food: Multiple and Growing concerns in Cambodia”, 28th of November 2019   Read More

Title of document: APICI Project - Cambodia Authors/editor: Lucie Reynaud Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: GRET Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Cambodia Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: about the project: Promoting Agroecology…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The presentation for the workshop “Pesticides, Agriculture and Food: Multiple and Growing concerns in Cambodia”, 28th of November 2019   Read More