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: Country Strategy Paper Lao PDR - Pesticide Risk Reduction “IPM Component”/Towards a non-toxic environment in South East Asia – Phase I Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: FAO; FAO IPM; IPM Lao PDR Year of publication: 2013 Year / period of application: July 2010 - June 2013 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues / topics addressed: Pesticide Risk Reduction “IPM Component” School of agroecology: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) / Integrated Cropping Management (ICM) As a result of the Lao PDR joining as member country of the FAO Regional Rice IPM Programme, the Lao National IPM programme was initiated in 1994. The farmer education programme was implemented by the Agricultural Extension Agency (AEA) under the Department of Agriculture (DOA). The first IPM Farmers Field Schools were piloted in lowland irrigated rice ecosystems in Vientiane from 1994 onwards, initially with financial support from the INGO CIDSE. When FAO funding became available in 1996, FFS training in irrigated lowland rice ecosystems was up-scaled to 8 provinces in the central and southern parts of the country. However, with the reorganization of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2000, the national programme underwent several subsequent leadership changes and was institutionally moved to the newlyestablished National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES) in 2001. Subsequently, the programme was transferred back to DOA in July 2005 and is now implemented by the Plant Protection Centre (PPC) based in Salakham. Since 2005, four National IPM Project Coordinators (NPCs) (including two Acting NPCs) were appointed successively. These changes in national, institutional and project leadership have been detrimental to programme development and have weakened national ownership and capacity to implement the IPM programme. Despite these set backs, FAO has continued its support for IPM training capacity building given the tremendous need for basic farmer education on sustainable crop production and protection in the Lao PDR. Over the last decade, various donors have supported the national IPM programme under several FAO Regional IPM Programmes and their associated projects. In recognition of the importance of IPM and farmer education for human resource development in the country, the Lao Government also started to provide co-funding for programme implementation as part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Five Year Development Plan (2006-2010). From 2006 onwards the annual government contribution towards strengthening of plant protection networks amounted to Kip 50 million (US$ 6,163). During the last decade, the National IPM Programme also worked with several NGOs such as with World Education and Global Alliance for People and the Environment (GAPE), with Cooperation International Development and Solidarity (CIDSE) for FFS and curriculum reform activities in Agriculture Colleges, with Oxfam-Belgium on capacity building for biological control and integration of Good Agricultural Practices in Vegetable FFSs in Vientiane Province and with INGO SEARICE/Oxfam-Belgium on FFS development for plant genetic resource management and sustainable utilization of agro-biodiversity.   Read More

Title of document: Agroecology & Markets: Setting the scene Authors: Isablle Vagneron Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CIRAD, GRET, ALiSEA Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Laos Main issues / topics addressed (for example: What is agroecology?; Objectives of agroecology; The changing scope of agroecology; Bringing agroecology to markets……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This presentation for Thematic Workshop “Bringing Agroecology to the Market: Innovative Market Approaches and Institutional Settings to accompany the agroecological transition”, 9th February 2018, Vientiane, Lao PDR   Read More

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: 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: Experiences and lessons from The Agrobiodiversity Initiative Authors: Dr. Chanhsamone Phongoudome Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: NAFRI, TABI Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Introduction; Mung bean production in Laos ; Methodology; Findings; Discussions…) 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: Local Agroforestry Knowledge in Southern Laos Authors: Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: CIRAD, ACTAE, CPC Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Background and concepts; Selection of ecosystem services; Conclusion…) 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: The Lao Uplands Sourcebook, Improving livelihoods in the Uplands of Lao PDR 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

Title of document: Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) for sustainable local food systems Authors: IFOAM and FAO Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: FAO and IFOAM Year of publication: 2017 Geographic focus: Lao PDR&Cambodia Main issues / topics addressed (for example: the story of Ms Bouchan: women’s  economic empowerment; The story of Ms Sinsanga and Mr Sengsavang:  spreading knowledge  about organic farming; The story of Ms Sophal and Mr An: organic vegetables  for village markets…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://www.fao.org/search/en/?cx=018170620143701104933%3Aqq82jsfba7w&q=Participatory+Guarantee++Systems+%28PGS%29+in+Lao+PDR+&cof=FORID%3A9&siteurl=www.fao.org%2Fhome%2Fen%2F&ref=www.google.co.th%2F&ss=73j5329j2 Summary: Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) story from Lao PDR and Cambodia by FAO and IFOAM   Read More

Title of document: Lao's Organic Agriculture: 2012 Update Author: Vitoon Panyakul Year of publication: 2012 Geographic focus: Lao PDR School of agroecology: Organic Agriculture Organisation: Earth Net Foundation/Green Net, Thailand Web address:  href="http://unctad.org/en/Docs/Lao%20Organic%20Agriculture%202012%20Update.pdf">http://unctad.org/en/Docs/Lao%20Organic%20Agriculture%202012%20Update.pdf  Summary of the document: The document summarizes the update reports and documents on organic agriculture in Laos. It also consists of results from interview and discussion, comments, suggestions from the key stakeholders in Vientiane Capital and consultant’s personnel opinions in organic agriculture.   Read More