Title of document: Proceedings of the regional workshop: Towards a regional initiative to develop E-learning resources in Agroecology - Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 11th of October 2017 Authors: Florent Tivet Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ACTAE/CIRAD_GRET Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Mekong Region Summary: Based on on-going activities in the field of training and higher education implemented by a range of partners within ACTAE project and beyond (see program of the event) a regional workshop was organized in Phnom Penh on October 11 2017 bringing together different partners involved in training, awareness raising and higher education. This workshop was organized on the continuity of a 1st event organized by ALISEA in Vientiane in June 2017. A diversity of participants attend the event with representatives from several universities in the region (Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar), research institutions, representatives from Ministry of Agriculture, departments of Agricultural Land Resources Management, and NGOs. The first focus of the event was on e-learning as an integrated tool between different actors and beneficiaries. Discussions were conducted prior the event one between ITC, SupAgro, RUA, Queensland University, GDA/DALRM, GRET and CIRAD to identify common expectations for this event and outputs.   Read More

Title of document: ALiSEA experience sharing workshop: Review of existing pedagogical materials and initiatives for mainstreaming agroecology practices in Laos Authors: Pierre Ferrand, Claire Georges, Hongnapha Phommabouth Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ALiSEA/GRET Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Laos Summary: This experience sharing workshop is part of the activities implemented by the Agroecology Learning alliance in South East Asia (ALiSEA) to foster multi stakeholder collaborations in regards to promoting an agroecological transition. It is more especially embodied in the support provided to the Faculty of Agriculture from the National University of Laos through the ALiSEA Small Grant Facility to develop new AE pedagogical material. Their project aims at both producing an updated learning and teaching manual for Agroecology with the collaboration of the Departments of Agriculture from three other universities (Souphanouvong, Savannakhet and Champhasak) as well as revising the syllabus for agroecology courses in order to harmonize them at national level. It was expected in particular to provide an opportunity for synergizing one another’s activities. This was a great opportunity for the different participants to present and confront the outcomes of their respective projects with other initiatives in Laos and learn from their previous experiences. In addition, it was expected to establish a framework for future Agroecology trainings and pedagogical material production.   Read More

Title of document:  Land tenure in rural lowland Myanmar: From historical perspectives to contemporary realities in the Dry zone and the Delta_Myanmar version Authors: M. Boutry, C. Allaverdian, M. Mellac, S. Huard, U San Thein, Tin Myo Win, Khin Pyae Sone Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation:  GRET Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Myanmar  Summary: During the critical years following the 2012 land reforms undertaken in the midst of Myanmar’s political transition, Gret conducted an in-depth study combining qualitative and quantitative surveys in nine villages of Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun townships (Delta) and nine villages in Monywa and Yinmabin townships (Dry Zone). The full report and the synthesis are the result of more than two years in-depth research and 13 months of fieldwork that involved an inter-disciplinary team of 11 international and Myanmar researchers. It provides a better understanding of land dynamics at the local level and proposes a new reading of issues faced by rural households in these days of reform   Read More

Title of document:  Land tenure in rural lowland Myanmar: From historical perspectives to contemporary realities in the Dry zone and the Delta_EN version Authors: M. Boutry, C. Allaverdian, M. Mellac, S. Huard, U San Thein, Tin Myo Win, Khin Pyae Sone Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation:  GRET Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Myanmar  Summary: During the critical years following the 2012 land reforms undertaken in the midst of Myanmar’s political transition, Gret conducted an in-depth study combining qualitative and quantitative surveys in nine villages of Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun townships (Delta) and nine villages in Monywa and Yinmabin townships (Dry Zone). The full report and the synthesis are the result of more than two years in-depth research and 13 months of fieldwork that involved an inter-disciplinary team of 11 international and Myanmar researchers. It provides a better understanding of land dynamics at the local level and proposes a new reading of issues faced by rural households in these days of reform   Read More

Title of document: Presentations from the Regional Forum on Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in the Mekong Sub-Region towards Food Security, An Giang University, Vietnam 6-7 November 2017 Authors: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: An Giang University, ALiSEA, SEARCA Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Mekong Region Summary: The Mekong Sub-region is rapidly becoming a new frontier of economic growth in Southeast Asia due to its rich human and natural capital (ADB 2017). Its suitability for a wide range of crops has made agriculture one of the sub-region’s important economic sectors. It has also led to increased trade and investment linked to regional integration. More than two-thirds of the population of the countries comprising the Mekong Sub-region rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods (WWF Greater Mekong). These countries are Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The People's Republic of China (Yunnan Province) is a part of this sub-region but for purposes of this forum is not included. The forum aimed to share research findings from SEARCA SFRT grantees across the Mekong Sub-Region, as well as develop research to address gaps, towards the promotion of ecological farming, adaptation to climate change, and improving rural livelihoods and food security. This forum covered Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) research from 2013 to 2016 where 11 out of 15 studies of Vietnamese and Myanmar grantees are relevant to the above subject (none from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand for the period). The expected participants were selected local researchers from universities in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta, SFRT grantees and SEARCA Fellows/scholarship alumni from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. It also featured research conducted by the Research Center for Rural Development (RCRD) of An Giang University under the project component Agroecology Learning Alliance in South East Asia (ALiSEA). The ALiSEA component supports activities aimed at increasing visibility and credibility of the agroecology movement, and scaling up the development and adoption of agroecological practices among farmers. Here are the presentations of the Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) research from 2013 to 2016: Assessment of Impacts of and Adaptation to CC in Fisheries and Agriculture - Mac Nhu Binh Assessment of the Impact of CC to Aquaculture Fisheries Household - NTHDiep Assessment of Traditional Rice Based Farming Systems - LT Phong Climate Change Impact on Rice Production and Adaptation - Huynh Viet Khai Enhancing Marketing Capacity for Agriculture Cooperatives - QTXuan Gender roles and relationship in water management - Nguye Van Thai Impact of Rural Out-migration on the Resilience of Agricultural - Seinn Seinn Mu Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in the Mekong Sub-Region_ Ngo Thanh Son   Read More

Title of document: Presentations from the Regional Forum on Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in the Mekong Sub-Region towards Food Security, An Giang University, Vietnam 6-7 November 2017 Authors: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: An Giang University, ALiSEA, SEARCA Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Mekong Region Summary: The Mekong Sub-region is rapidly becoming a new frontier of economic growth in Southeast Asia due to its rich human and natural capital (ADB 2017). Its suitability for a wide range of crops has made agriculture one of the sub-region’s important economic sectors. It has also led to increased trade and investment linked to regional integration. More than two-thirds of the population of the countries comprising the Mekong Sub-region rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods (WWF Greater Mekong). These countries are Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The People's Republic of China (Yunnan Province) is a part of this sub-region but for purposes of this forum is not included. The forum aimed to share research findings from SEARCA SFRT grantees across the Mekong Sub-Region, as well as develop research to address gaps, towards the promotion of ecological farming, adaptation to climate change, and improving rural livelihoods and food security. This forum covered Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) research from 2013 to 2016 where 11 out of 15 studies of Vietnamese and Myanmar grantees are relevant to the above subject (none from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand for the period). The expected participants were selected local researchers from universities in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta, SFRT grantees and SEARCA Fellows/scholarship alumni from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. It also featured research conducted by the Research Center for Rural Development (RCRD) of An Giang University under the project component Agroecology Learning Alliance in South East Asia (ALiSEA). The ALiSEA component supports activities aimed at increasing visibility and credibility of the agroecology movement, and scaling up the development and adoption of agroecological practices among farmers. Here are the presentations of the plenary session: Development potentials for floating rice cultivation in Ayeyarwady Delta Region, Myanmar - Nilar Aung Integrating collaborative co-designed research and citizen sciences for conservation of floating rice in the Mekong Region, Vietnam - Dr. N V Kien Sarus crane, an indicator of sustainable agriculture in the Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar - Tran Triet Scoping Floating rice based agro-ecological farming system, Myanmar - Dr Thein Tun Trade-offs between ecosystems services in rice cropping system, Cambodia - Dr Malyne Neang   Read More

Title of document: Presentations from the Laos Vegetable Forum 2017: Fostering a safe and sustainable vegetable sector Authors: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CRS, KEI, NAFRI, ACIAR Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Summary:  In the Lao PDR, vegetable production provides around 80% of domestic demand, mostly produced by smallholder farmers. Throughout the country, there are large differences in consumption between provinces. Challenges to vegetable production include suboptimal yields, poor competitiveness, high postharvest losses, product that does not conform to quality and safety demands of consumers, limited technical capacity and difficulties in meeting market demand during some periods of the year. Additionally, the recent establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community has implications for cross-border trade regulations. Thus there are many opportunities for both producers and the private sector to benefit from improved connections and sustainability. The vegetable sector offers smallholder farmers an option to diversify their production systems and market opportunities, improve household nutrition and increase incomes for farmers and traders. Importantly, it also offers women a source of income, and can help improve household food security. As the sector develops, opportunities for market engagement, input supply and agro-processing will increase. These challenges and opportunities can be addressed in many different ways, and with a range of stakeholders. In Laos, there are public, private and development partners working to improve the productivity and profitability of the vegetable sector. Bringing these stakeholders together at a forum is a way to understand the current situation in Laos and create potential networks to foster sustainability in the sector. The Lao Vegetable Forum has been organized on 26th October, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Vientiane. The forum had several objectives, including to: -       Highlight the latest research and development activities; -       Forge networks between public, NGO and private sector professionals throughout the region working in this area for communication and collaboration; -       Provide an opportunity to learn about developments in the region; and -       Facilitate the exchange of ideas on sector development. In the first forum, the theme was ‘Fostering a safe and sustainable vegetable sector’. It started with an overview of the current status of the Lao Vegetable Sector. The main sessions focused on introducing different kinds of standards, and then options and examples of smallholder organisation and market arrangements. A final panel discussion was held to highlight the experiences of different kinds of stakeholders within the vegetable sector. Key themes that arised from the presentations and discussions will be synthesised and addressed in subsequent forums.   Read More

Title of document:  Better rice Initiative Asia Capacity Development for rice cultivation Authors: Henrik Beermann, Astari Widya Dharma Journal’s name if any:  Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation:  Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH ; On behalf of The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: ASIAN Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Capacity building strategy, technical processes of developing the CD strategies for sustainable rice cultivation,……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any):  Summary: The German Food Partnership (GFP) aims at fostering the cooperation between private and public sector institutions. Its objective is to promote sustainable growth in agricultural production and improved access to nutrition within the food sector in emerging and developing countries. Public and private actors join forces in order to implement comprehensive projects and programs for sustainable business in these countries. The contribution towards food and nutrition security as well as economic development in rural areas is to be measured by increased agricultural productivity and income, improved availability of nutritious food, and food self-sufficiency. As one of the first concrete initiatives under the GFP umbrella, the Better Rice Initiative Asia (BRIA) is a joint project planned and implemented by private partners in collaboration with GIZ, and public organizations in the respective countries. BRIA aims at improving rice value chains (which include rice based nutrition components) in Southeast Asia (SEA), namely the four SEA countries Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. BRIA’s focus is on strengthening the nutritional and economic situation of rice smallholders, and consumers. The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the workshop and summarize the main lessons learned and recommendations for good practices of capacity development for sustainable rice cultivation in SEA.   Read More

Title of document: Dynamics of Soil Carbon, Nitrogen and Soil Respiration in Famer’s Field with Conservation Agriculture, Siem Reap, Cambodia Authors: Don Immanuel A. Edralin, Gilbert C. Sigua and Manuel R. Reyes Journal’s name if any: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, USA; United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center, Florence, SC, USA. Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: National level Main issues / topics addressed (for example: No tillage; conventional tillage; soil organic carbon; soil quality index; cover crops.…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any):  Summary:  The years of intensive tillage in many countries, including Cambodia have caused significant decline in agriculture’s natural resources that could threaten the future of agricultural production and sustainability worldwide. Long-term tillage system and site-specific crop management can affect changes in soil properties and processes, so there is a critical need for a better and comprehensive process-level understanding of differential effects of tillage systems and crop management on the direction and magnitude of changes in soil carbon storage and other soil properties. A study was conducted in farmer’s field to evaluate the effect of conservation agriculture (CA) and conventional tillage (CT) on soil carbon, nitrogen and soil respiration in three villages of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Soil organic carbon (p≤0.01), soil total nitrogen (p≤0.01) and soil respiration (p≤0.10) for at least in two villages were significantly affected by tillage management. The soil quality was improved in villages with CA compared with villages with CT by increasing soil organic carbon (10.2 to 13.3 Mg ha-1) and soil nitrogen (0.87 to 1.11 Mg ha-1) because of much higher soil moisture (15.7±8.6 to 20.0±11.9%) retained in CA and with reduced soil temperature (30.4±2.0 to 32.4±2.3°C) during the dry period. Additionally, field soil respiration was higher in CA (55.9±4.8 kg CO2-C ha-1 day-1) than in CT (36.2±13.5 kg CO2-C ha-1 day-1), which indicates more microbial activity and increased mineralization of soil organic carbon for nutrient release. The soil’s functions of supporting plant growth and sink of carbon and recycler of nutrients was likely improved in agroecosystem with CA than in system with CT. Our results have suggested that CA may have had enhanced soils’ carbon and nitrogen contents, nutrient supplying capacity and microclimate for soil microorganisms in three villages with vegetable production.   Read More

Title of document:  Agroecology: A Global Paradigm to Challenge Mainstream Industrial Agriculture Authors: Hector Valenzuela Journal’s name if any:  Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Global level Main issues / topics addressed (for example: agroecology; agrobiodiversity; biodiversity; farming systems; organic farming; ecological farming; soil management, convention agriculture meet the basic sustainability criteria…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary:  Considerable controversy continues to exist in scientific and policy circles about how to tackle issues of global hunger, malnutrition, and rural economic decline, as well as environmental issues, such as biodiversity loss and climate change adaptation. On the one hand, powerful vested interests, with close ties to government, media, and academic institutions, propose high-input technology-based solutions, speculative and neoliberal “market-based” solutions, and export-oriented agricultural models. On the other hand, an international scientific and grassroots Food Movement has emerged, calling for a redesign of the Global Food System in support of small-scale agroecological farming systems. A call to re-evaluate our current Food Systems was made in 2008 by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD). Here, using the IAASTD study as a backdrop, we review the recent literature to outline key contentious points in the controversy between the need for high-input and “techno-based” versus agroecological farming models. A critical assessment is made of proposed strategies to protect soil resources, improve nutrient and energy cycles, protect agrobiodiversity, and promote social well-being in rural communities. With an increase in the number of affluent consumers (i.e., the middle class) in the developing world, and with the continued problem of extreme and chronic poverty with other larger sectors of society, Organic Farming and Agroecology models are put forward as a sound social, scientific, and rural development strategy.   Read More