Title of document: UPDATE STUDY ON AGRARIAN CHANGES AND THE STATUS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHERN SAYABOURY PROVINCE Guillaume Lestrelin June Author: Guillaume Lestrelin Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Cirad; DALaM; AFD; European Union Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Conservation Agriculture Between 2001 and 2009, the four districts of Boten, Kenthao, Paklay and Thongmixay in southern Sayaboury Province have been targeted by two AFD-funded projects dealing with research and extension of Conservation Agriculture (CA), namely the “Programme National Agro-Ecologie” (PRONAE) and the “Programme de Capitalisation en Appui à la Politique de Développement Rural - Point d'Application du Sud de la province de Sayaboury” (PASS). PRONAE was essentially focused on technical research and experimentation on Conservation Agriculture in a few localities while PASS was engaged in the dissemination of the research results among farmers of the four districts. In 2008, PASS had set up CA farmer groups in 44 villages, involving about 1100 households and 1500 ha of land cultivated with direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems.   Read More

Title of document: Atlas of Agriculture in the Lao PDR Patterns and trends between 1999 and 2011 Authors: Michael Epprecht, Anne-Kathrin Weber, Rasso Bernhard, Khamlouang Keoka, Thatheva Saphangthong, Vongpaphane Manivong, Phanxay Ingxay, Phanthavong Vongsamphanh, Nicholas Bosoni, Savanh Hanephom, Phonesavan Vanmeexai, Aengsone Kaungbounhieng, Hairkham Sisouvan, Sengphachan Khounthikoumman, Porha Xaichounorxoa, Micah Ingalls, Vong Nanhthavong, Juliet Lu, Inthaneth Norasingh, Urs Wiesmann, Thomas Breu Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CDE, MAF, SDC Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Background on the atlas and the censuses; National context; Agricultural overview; Crops; Rice; non-rice annual crops; Livestock ……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.decide.la/en/downloads/index/Atlas%20of%20Agriculture%20Book.pdf Summary: This new atlas was co-developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of the University of Bern. It combines statistical data from the last two agriculture censuses with detailed geographic information to presents a wealth of new sector-specific information on a large set of highly detailed thematic maps. Not only does the atlas provide new insights into the current socio-economic and agricultural patterns in the country: It also reveals the dynamics over space and time within the decade-long inter-census period, at village-level and for the whole of the Lao PDRThese Guidelines are intended to provide guidance to the policy, planning and technical support services of government, but the requirements of these different end - user groups are diverse. Consequently a scoping analysis was undertaken of the issues and responses of these end-user groups so the Guidelines could be framed to meet their requirements.   Read More

Title of document: Pha Khao Lao Authors: Pha Khao Lao Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Pha Khao Lao Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues / topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The presentation for Agroecology Futures Regional Forum, November 6-8, 2018, Siem Reap, Cambodia   Read More

Title of document: Proceedings of the National Thematic Workshop on "What performance Indicators for Assessing Agroecology Impacts ?" Authors: Pierre Ferrand and Dr. Saythong Vilayvong Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ALiSEA Date: 29th November 2016 Location: LANITH, Vientiane, Laos Geographic focus: Laos Summary: Agro-ecological approaches are seen as convincing and evidence-based alternatives towards sustainable agriculture. They clearly aim at strengthening innovation capacity of family farms, as well as the recognition of their contribution to food sovereignty in the region. They cover technical, economic, societal and policy dimensions of agricultural production respectful of environment. They also contribute to poverty alleviation, food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation However, relying on conventional metrics to measure the performance of farming systems, it is hard to make the case for agroecology. To understand the impact of agroecology requires assessing the performance through a different lens. This report presents the main findings of the discussions held during the 1 day workshop addressing performance indicators for agroecology impacts in Vientiane, Laos, on the 9th of November 2016.   Read More

Title of document: Institutionalizing Agroforestry as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy through Local Capacity and Policy Development in Southeast Asia Authors/collaborators: Lutgarda L. Tolentino, Philippine Agroforestry Education and Research Network, Philippines; Bao Huy, Vietnam Network for Agroforestry Education, Vietnam; Pramoth Kheowvongsri, Thailand Network for Agroforestry Education, Thailand; Anoulom Vilayphone, Lao Network for Agroforestry Education, Lao PDR; Awang Noord Ghani, Malaysia Network for Agroforestry Education, Malaysia. Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry Several studies and literature have indicated the relevance of agroforestry as one of the climate change adaptation strategies of the agriculture sector, particularly those in the marginal areas, which are the most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change. This report highlights the experiences of PAFERN in implementing the project ‘Institutionalizing Agroforestry as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy via Local Capacity and Policy Development in Southeast Asia”, with the hope of inspiring other regional and national institutions in Southeast Asia to collaborate and come up with proactive and more intensive information dissemination and capacity-building programs to enhance the capacities of the upland farmers, agricultural technicians and extension workers of the local government units, academic and research institutions to adapt to the impacts of climate change.   Read More

Title of document: Case studies on rural development and clean agriculture in Laos Author: Sachika Horokawa Name of Journal: Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural development Year of publication: 2013 Geographic focus: Lao PDR School of agroecology: Organic agriculture Organisation: Keio Research Institute at SFC, Kanagawa, Japan Web address: http://aessweb.com/journal-detail.php?id=5005  Summary of the document: This paper presents how local organic farmers adapt to a new method and cope with problems in changing to produce organic agriculture in Nonte village, Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.   Read More

Title of document: ACP-ACTAE Project (2017-2018) – Agroecological Crop Protection Authors: ACP-ACTAE Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ACP-ACTAE Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam Main issues / topics addressed (for example: What is Agroecological Crop Protection (ACP)?; Objective of the ACP-ACTAE project; Budget of the ACP-ACTAE project and financial report…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The ACP-ACTAE project was funded by AFD (Agence Française de Développement) within the ACTAE regional project ("Towards Agroecology Transition in the Mekong Region"). It was carried out between 2017 and 2018 in South East Asia and it gathered numerous partners from Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. The ACP-ACTAE project was devoted to open a new page on Agroecology in the CANSEA platform activities in South East Asia: Agroecological Crop Protection (ACP) corresponds to the declension of Agroecology to Crop Protection. The ACP-ACTAE project has proposed in 2 years a significant number of activities with the partners that are presented in this report and which are, for the most part, available online. This project has made it possible to build a solid base of exchanges and partnerships, making it possible to envisage immediate and concrete collaborations between CIRAD and partners in South-East Asia (particularly in Vietnam), in the field of Agroecological Crop Protection   Read More

Title of document: Adoption of Agroforestry in Mai District, Phongsaly Province - Lao PDR Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: NUPD, Northern Uplands Development Programme; World Renew; AGROASIE Year of publication: October 2014 Geographic focus: Laos Main issues / topics addressed: A Research Project commissioned by World Renew with funding support from NUDP School of agroecology: Agro-forestry Factors that influence the adoption of agroforestry were investigated by conducting semi-structured interviews with men, women, and leader groups in eight target villages, Mai District. A total of 194 persons (33% female) were met by the survey team, representing 18 percent of the adult population. Early findings were then presented at a stakeholder’s workshop in the District centre to examine these findings and consider how agroforestry could assist with rural development.   Read More

Title of document: Managing our natural resources for a better life in the villages of Houaphanh Province: Six Briefs on Bamboo Forest Management and Value Chains Development Authors/editor: Gret, BNDA Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Gret, BNDA Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Huaphan Province is diversity of natural bamboo forest. Recognizing this potential since 2009, GRET through its Bamboo and Rattan project with the Houaphanh government and its Bamboo Taskforce has been supporting the Huaphan Bamboo Sector Development Strategy 2011-2015 & 2016 -2020. 5 bamboo value chains being actively developed within the province and supported by the Bamboo and Rattan Project are 1) Handicraft Value Chain; 2) Mai Khuane Value Chain; 3) Khom (Bamboo Shoot) Value Chain; 4) Broom Grass Value Chain; and 5)Red Mushroom Value Chain... After the project has ended, the Bamboo and NTFPs Development Association (BNDA) will continue to support it. You can view BNDA activities via the Facebook page: “ສະມາຄົມພັດທະນາໄມ້ປ່ອງ&ເຄື່ອງປ່າຂອງດົງ/Bamboo & NTFP Development Association” or by email: [email protected]   Read More

Title of document: The Lao Uplands Sourcebook, Improving livelihoods in the Uplands of Lao PDR, Vol 1, Lao Authors: Bandith Ramangkoun, Michael Victor Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: NAFRI, NAFES, NUoL Year of publication: 2004 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Summary: The Lao Uplands Sourcebook was developed in order to provide field level extension workers, educators and students better access to the wealth of information and experiences in Uplands resource management in Lao PDR. The sourcebook includes 68 articles of best practices, lessons learned, and experiences gained by those working in the uplands. It is intended to provide field workers (provincial and district level staff ) with practical, easy to understand ways to solve problems facing upland development. The compilation can serve as a rich source of ideas and reference materials for trainers. It might also be useful to educators, policy makers, local officials and administrators. While the articles within the sourcebook can be further adapted to create community-based materials, the sourcebook as such is not meant for direct use with farmers or community groups.   Read More