Title of document: The second 5 year bamboo development strategy (2016-2020), Houaphanh Province Authors: The Provincial Bamboo Task Force supported by GRET Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Houaphan PAFO & DPI Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: Laos The first 5-year Bamboo Development Strategy (2010-2015) has been implemented by the Authorities of Houaphanh Province and of the three Districts of Sam Neua, Viengxay & Sobbao with the support of the Bamboo Project operated GRET and SNV. The value chain approach adopted during the first phase proved effective for mobilizing stakeholders (villagers, traders, investors, government staffs) around five bamboo based value chains: handicraft & furniture (Khouane, Hok, Luang bamboo species) and fresh bamboo shoots (Khom species) for the domestic market and dried bamboo shoots (Hok species), paper pulp (Xang species) and slats & sticks (Khouane species) for the Vietnamese market. Based on the lessons learned from the first phase, a multi level consultation has been organized by the provincial and district authorities in cooperation with the Bamboo Task Force and Gret between May and July 2015. The first phase was estimated to be quite successful, as compared to its original objectives. A second 5-year Bamboo Development Strategy (2016-2020) was then designed, with the following targets : • 5 000 Households involved in bamboo activities (1800 Households in 2015) • Expand the allocation natural bamboo forests to villagers, forest management plans and forest monitoring activities in 10-30 new villages or 5 000 ha (26 villages and 3400 ha managed in 2015) • Generate USD 1,0 million from domestic trade and exports of bamboo products (USD 450 000 generated in 2010-2015)   Read More

Title of document: Situation review of agro-ecology initiatives, stakeholders and networks in Lao PDR Authors: Phengkhouane Manivong and  Souliyouan Viengkhamsone gte mso 9]>--> Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: GRET / Faculty of Agriculture Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Laos The Situation review of agro-ecology initiatives, stakeholders and networks in Lao PDR reports the information and data on the six most significant agro-ecological practice/schools (SRI, CA, Organic Agriculture, IPM, Agroforestry and VAC/Integrated farming) collected between October to December 2015. It provides a current status of the policy framework, the stakeholders, the initiatives and the achievements related to the agro-ecology in Lao PDR. A desk review combined with interviews and field visits was used for this study.   Read More

Title of document: Agroecological farming innovations: Case studies in Hoa Binh and Lam Dong province, Vietnam Authors: Pham Van Hoi & Ngo The An Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: GRET/CARES Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Vietnam Given the increasing scope and impacts of environmental pollution and food poisonings in Vietnam since its agricultural sector started with further intensification with more chemical inputs used especially pesticides since early 1990s; increasing opportunity for agricultural exports; and more awareness of governments on importance of agricultural sector as well as agricultural exports which has contributed significantly to national economy since early 2010s, numerous important policies have been formulated to boost agricultural development towards more sustainable, notably on efforts of reduction of pesticide uses. This consultancy mission is a small part of the AFD project which aims at increasing the credibility and visibility of agro-ecology practices towards small-holder farmers as well as other relevant stakeholders such as consumers, policy makers, and private actors. Based on the firsthand information gathered from professional network and government websites, Hoa Binh and Lam Dong were selected for field study in which numerous AE innovative farmers were identified and interviewed for their exisiting farming practices and underlying reasons for restructuring their farms towards more ecological orientation.   Read More

Case study's fact sheet: Agroforestry for livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Northwest Viet Nam Organizations: ICRAF researchers, 31 households, District extension centres In practice since: 2011 Geographic focus: Vietnam School of agroecology: Agroforestry >>> See on map   Read More

Case study's fact sheet: Farmer - Agroforestery Civil society organizations: individual In practice since: 2006 Geographic focus: Vietnam School of agroecology: Agroforestry >>> See on map   Read More

Title of document: FARMER FIELD SCHOOL GUIDANCE DOCUMENT, Planning for quality programmes Authors: FAO Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: FAO Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Global level Since the development of the farmer field school (FFS) approach in the late 80s in Asia, thousands of FFS have since been implemented across the world, in over 90 countries and across a varied range of contexts and thematic areas. Demand for FFS programmes is increasing, and in several countries the approach is now institutionalized within public extension systems and NGO programmes. It is estimated that by 2015 millions of farmers and agro-pastoralists had benefitted from the unique ability of FFS programmes to address the technological, social and economic needs of smallholder farmers and land users. Considering the expansion of FFS, both in terms of scale and in the application of the approach, concerns have emerged around how to best ensure a minimum level of quality of FFS program implementation and harmonization across programmes and actors, while still maintaining the flexibility required for the continuous adaptation and improvement of the approach. In response to this concern, a Global FFS Review was conducted in 2012 by FAO, including a discussion forum with over 100 participants, who explored the issue of quality in FFS and identified the essential steps and conditions required for setting up strong, solid and sustainable FFS programmes. Based on the results from the Global FFS Review, a Guidance Document for quality FFS programmes was proposed, to serve as a common reference for FFS programme development. This FFS Guidance Document focuses on the process and critical decisions that are necessary when starting a new FFS programme, and guides the reader through the essential steps required to establish a solid basis for such programmes, in tune with the specific local conditions. It also defines the essential elements and processes required to ensure programme relevance, quality, growth and sustainability. The document differs from most of the FFS manuals and guidelines available in that it focuses on providing support to FFS programme managers and formulators, as opposed to FFS field facilitators or trainers, who are the primary target group for most existing manuals.     Read More

Title of document:  Multiple pathways: case studies of sustainable agriculture in China. Authors: Cook, S. and Buckley, L. (eds.) Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: IIED, London. Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: China Chinese agriculture currently faces major challenges. China’s use of fertilisers and pesticides is among the highest in the world. Soil erosion and soil pollution are widespread, as is the loss of agricultural biodiversity as high-yielding hybrid crop varieties replace traditional landraces. Water scarcity is widespread and the rapid pace of urbanisation has led to a mass exodus from rural areas, with major implications on the availability of agricultural labour. There is a small but growing trend towards sustainable food production and consumption in China, witnessed by the rise in ecological farms, organic farmers’ markets in major cities and an increasing emphasis on sustainability elements in Chinese agricultural policies. This report from IIED presents eight sustainable agriculture initiatives from seven provinces in China. The case studies include cooperatives, companies, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives, and government-led and farmer-led initiatives. The report views sustainability in all its social, economic and environmental dimensions. The conclusion is that adopting sustainable agriculture in China is quite achievable from a technical standpoint. The major bottlenecks for moving forward are economic and social. Key challenges include how to ensure an adequate market for the products of sustainable agriculture; how to ensure that market returns reflect the environmental, social and health benefits of more sustainable modes of production; how to ensure that smallholders benefit; and how to find sufficient labour to carry out sustainable agricultural practices in rural areas. The case studies showed that collective organisation was essential to the viability of sustainable agriculture and that external actors and the government played a crucial enabling role in supporting a diversity of pathways to sustainable agriculture.   Read More

Title of document: China’s view on implementation and performance of agroecology Authors: China Ambassador at FAO Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: China Speech given by China Ambassador at FAO Headquarter, 11th March 2016 China’s views on agroecology: How China sees Agroecology, What China has achieved, and what’s China future plan.   Read More

Title of document: The diversity of knowledge, Reflection on the agrobiodiversity @ knowledge programme Authors: Henkjan Laats, Nick Pasciesznik, Edith van Walsum, Janneke Bruil and Danielle Peterson Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Hivos and Oxfam Novib Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: Regional level Despite its importance for food security, smallholder livelihoods and the environment, agricultural biodiversity is disappearing at an alarming rate and with the knowledge in its management and use. With the Agrobiodiversity@knowledged programme, Hivos and Oxfam novib wanted to contribute to solutions for this unfolding drama. This report is the result of a three years knowledge programme of Hivos, Oxfam Novib and civil society organisations and academics working in the field of agricultural biodiversity around the world. It reveals stories of change - changes within people and changes within the programmes of their organisations - related to agricultural biodiversity. www.hivos.org   Read More

Title of document: Organic agriculture in the twenty first century Authors: John P. Reganold  and Jonathan M. Wachter in Nature Plants Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Global level Organic agriculture has a history of being contentious and is considered by some as an inefficient approach to food production. Yet organic foods and beverages are a rapidly growing market segment in the global food industry. Here, we examine the per­formance of organic farming in light of four key sustainability metrics: productivity, environmental impact, economic viability and social wellbeing. Organic farming systems produce lower yields compared with conventional agriculture. However, they are more profitable and environmentally friendly, and deliver equally or more nutritious foods that contain less (or no) pesticide residues, compared with conventional farming. Moreover, initial evidence indicates that organic agricultural systems deliver greater ecosystem services and social benefits. Although organic agriculture has an untapped role to play when it comes to the establishment of sustainable farming systems, no single approach will safely feed the planet. Rather, a blend of organic and other innovative farming systems is needed. Significant barriers exist to adopting these systems, however, and a diversity of policy instruments will be required to facilitate their development and implementation.   Read More