Agro-forestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. Agro-forestry is a dynamic, ecologically-based, natural resource management practice that,…
Conservation Agriculture (CA) is an agro-ecosystems management approach aimed at improving and sustaining agricultural productivity, increasing profits and food security while preserving and enhancing the resource base and the environment. CA is characterised by three interrelated principles.
Integrated agriculture provides high quality food and other products by using natural resources and regulating mechanisms rather than polluting chemical inputs to secure sustainable farming. The agronomic techniques and biological / physical / chemical methods are carefully selected and balanced taking into account the health of people (i.e. farmers and…
This section addresses integrated farming approaches that have been promoted as alternatives to Green Revolution agriculture since the 1990s for self-sufficient farming. The New Theory farming system in Thailand and the VAC system in Vietnam (VAC in Vietnamese is Vuon, Ao, Chuong which means “garden/pond/ livestock pen”) consist in highly…
Organic agriculture aims at sustaining the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and natural cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of chemical inputs with potentially adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote…
The System of Rice Intensification, known as SRI is an agro-ecological approach for increasing rice productivity (and more recently other crops) by changing the management of plants, soil, water and nutrients.
ALiSEA Online Library contains a wide range of agro-ecology’s documents: backgrounds, case Studies and initiatives fact sheets, presentations, policy documents, toolkits and IEC Materials. All documents are searchable via their Agro-ecological School(s), country, or type. Access now.
On October 25, 2024, the Sub-Sector Working Group on Agroecology (SSWG-AE) convened at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane Hotel. This workshop brought together key stakeholders to discuss the integration of agroecological principles into the Lao Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS) for 2026–2030. Among the notable contributors was ALiSEA, which actively participated as both a speaker and a key supporter of agroecology initiatives in Laos and the ASEAN region. As part of the panel discussions, ALiSEA shared its experiences in supporting capacity building and fostering multistakeholder engagement to promote agroecology. These efforts align with the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecological Transition, which provide a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable agriculture. ALiSEA highlighted key initiatives, including: Knowledge Sharing: Creating platforms for exchanging innovative practices and success stories among farmers, researchers, and policymakers. Policy Advocacy: Engaging with government agencies to align national strategies with the ASEAN guidelines and advance agroecological transitions. Regional Collaboration: Supporting cross-border initiatives that strengthen agroecology as a viable approach to addressing climate change and food security challenges. During Panel B of the workshop, ALiSEA emphasized the importance of multistakeholder collaboration in shaping the ADS. The network’s ongoing efforts, such as the establishment of knowledge hubs and capacity-building activities, were presented as examples […]
By Thuy Thu Doan – CISDOMA The field visit organized for members of the ALiSEA-Vietnam to Mai Son and Moc Chau districts, Son La province, Vietnam was successfully organized by the The Consultative Institute for Socio-Economic Development of Rural and Mountainous areas (CISDOMA), the Vietnam Association of Rural Development Sciences (PHANO) and the Northern Mountainous Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Science and Technology (NOMAFSI). This activity was supported by the Agro-ecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA), within the framework of the Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions in Southeast Asia (ASSET) project – funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU). The field visit took place for 2 days from October 17 to 18, 2024. Twenty participants from the Northern, Central and Southern provinces of Vietnam including experts from research institutions such as the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Northwest University, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Southern Fruit Tree Research Institute and CIRAD; officers of NGOs including Consultative Institute for Socio-economic Development of Rural and mountainous Areas – CISDOMA, Mekong Organics, PGS Vietnam and farmers from SPERI). The visit also received participation of the distributors including food stores of safe and organic products Objective of […]
The National Consultation Meeting on March 15, 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, gathered stakeholders from government, development agencies, civil society, and the private sector to promote agroecology within ASEAN. Led by the Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM) and the French Development Agency (AFD), the meeting highlighted the need for cohesive policies, financing, and partnerships to support sustainable agricultural practices. Stakeholders emphasized aligning agroecology with ASEAN’s existing frameworks, such as the Guidelines on Sustainable Agriculture, and shared insights into the challenges and opportunities of adopting agroecology, including infrastructure, technical knowledge, and market access. Presentations from government and ASEAN representatives introduced the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transition, which aim to connect regional policies with local practices. Group discussions proposed key actions, including planning for agroecology, financing initiatives, building local capacity, and creating pilot projects. The consultation concluded with recommendations to strengthen multi-stakeholder engagement and align local efforts with ASEAN’s regional goals, laying a foundation for a sustainable agroecology transition. For a detailed summary, you can download the full report here
