Title of document: Agroforestry and livelihoods in Lao PDR: Case studies in Napo and Haitai village, Vientiane Province Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: National University of Laos (NUOL), Vientiane, Laos; in cooperation with VITRI/University of Helsinki, and Kasetsart University, Bangkok; under the framework of the FORMEB project of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Institutional Cooperation Instrument (ICI). Year of publication: 2009 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry A field survey has been conducted to find out information on livelihood and agroforestry of the study area. The study was carried out in two villages of Sangthong District viz, Napo and Haitai. The study was carried out during 14-15th September 2009. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. For the primary data collection, socio-economic survey of 10 villagers has been carried out with a semi questionnaire format. Families were selected upon their dependence on agroforestry for their livelihood. In addition, most of respondents were found illiterate. Paddy is dominant crop in agricultural field and rice selling is the principle source of their income. Although there are several source of income generation activities available like, cattle, buffalo raising, NTFP collection, labour selling, etc. however, villagers overall income still quite low. Both the villages require lots of infrastructure establishment to uplift socio-economic condition. The gender role reveals that, the female working together with male is more efficiently for contributing in the crop filed in various activities.   Read More

Title of document: Exploration of teak agroforestry systems in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Prepared by: Dr Mark Dieters, The University of Queensland Co-authors/contributors/collaborators: Mr Somphanh Sakanphet, Upland Research Center; Mr Houmchitsavath Sodarak, Upland Research Center; Mr Sianouvong Savathvong, Souphanouvong University; Dr Outhai Soukkhy, Northern Agric.& Forestry College; Mr Bounkieng Souliyasak, Northern Agric. & Forestry College; Mrs Khonpanh Kanyavong, Agriculture Research Center; Dr Jonathan Newby, The University of Queensland. Approved by: Mr Tony Bartlett, Research Program Manager for Forestry, ACIAR Year of publication: 2014 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry The accumulated smallholder teak woodlots in Luang Prabang comprise a significant forest resource, comprising 60% of the approx. 25,000 ha of teak plantation in this region of northern Laos. FST/2004/057 commenced in 2008 to investigate improvements of the silivicultural management of these woodlots, and was granted a one-year extension from 2012-2013. The work conducted under the small research activity described in this report was undertaken over a 15 month period in Luang Prabang province, ending in June 2013, to support the transition between an existing ACIAR project (FST/2004/057) and a new project (FST/2012/041) with a much stronger focus on teak-based agroforestry systems.   Read More

Title of document: Indigenous agroforestry practices in two districts in the northern part of Lao PDR Authors: Houmchitsavath Sodarak; Chanhpeng Ditsaphon; Vienghad Thammavong; Nonggnao Ounthammasith; and Olle Forshed Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Northern Agriculture and Forestry Research Centre; Lao-Swedish Upland Agriculture and Forestry Research Programme Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry Objective of the document: To find out and document more about indigenous agroforestry practices in northern Laos so that good ideas and practices could be shared to other farmers to increase their livelihood. Introduction: In the north of Lao PDR people live close to the nature and their main activity is growing rice. Shifting cultivation is the dominating practice and upland rice is the dominating crop on the sloping hills. Paddy field practices are also to some extent common if there is available land for that activity. Also other crops then rice is cultivated in the upland farming land, such as corn, Job’s tear and a wide range of vegetables. These crops are often integrated in the traditional rice shifting cultivation practice or grown more intensively close to rivers where the land is often more fertile. The shifting cultivation practice in Lao PDR has been widely described in literature; see e.g. Roder (2001) and Sodarak (1998), and today we know quite a lot of how it is practiced. Shifting cultivation could be seen as an agroforestry practice since it is, if carried out in a good way with long fallows, a combination of agriculture and forestry. Side by side with the shifting cultivation practice also other agroforestry practices has been carried out for decades. That could be just some few treatments in the natural forest to get a wanted product (see e.g. Ankarfjard 1998) or it could also be highly advanced systems where trees, animals and plants grow together so that they can make benefit of each other. These systems are not so widely described in literature, either internationally or nationally. The range these practices or systems hold is very little known by a wider audience than the actual farmers in the villages. To know more what the farmers traditionally practice and what techniques and plants etc that has been adopted from projects and outsiders are both important factors to understand when further developing the rural upland agricultural and forestry activities. This study which aims to find out more about ongoing agroforestry practices in two districts is hopefully a step on the track to find out more sustainable and acceptable practices for farmers in these areas.   Read More

Title of document: Agroforestry Systems for Upland People in Lao PDR: Production, Benefit, and Farmers’ Satisfaction Analysis Authors: THIPPHAPHONE DOUANGSILA; SUPAPORN POUANGCHOMPU Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Thailand Year of publication: 2012 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry With an increasing population and governmental land-use restriction, shortened fallow periods of some traditional farming systems have contributed to the reduction of agricultural production in the uplands of Lao P.D.R. In response, systems which integrate trees, crops, and/or animals, such as agro forestry have been applied. However, the promotion of agroforestry as an alternative choice for upland farmers has become very challenging as a result of long-term economic incentives. The objectives of this study were to identify agroforestry systems employed, cost and returns, and the satisfaction of farmers, aiming to promote more benefits of agroforestry. Information described in this paper came from a survey of 80 agroforestry farms under a project support in nine villages of two northern districts. The results implied that three main agro forestry systems, based on nature components, have been employed. 81 percent of farmers employed Agrisilviculture, where trees and crops were combined in the same parcel. 14 percent applied Agrosilvopastoral (trees, crops, and pasture/animals), followed by 5 percent who applied Silvopastoral (trees and pasture/animals). In terms of production cost, initial investment in Agrisilviculture cost on average US$ 575 ha-1; while Agrosilvopastoral farmers spent around US$ 795 ha-1 and Silvopastural farmers, an estimated US$ 282 ha-1. After three-years of establishment, most farmers achieved success meeting their food sufficiency needs and obtained additional income from extra production, with average returns from each system about US$ 186 ha-1, US$ 632 ha-1, and US$ 104 ha-1 respectively. With biological and economic advantages produced by natural components in each system, most of farmers were similarly satisfied. Although the systems could not provide immediate-profitable returns, they were able to sustain food production and were profitable for a long-term use. A particular attention and continual technical support from relevant agencies are still required to enhance application of agroforestry.   Read More

Title of document: Rubber Development in the Lao PDR: Ensuring Sustainability Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: MAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; CATCH‐UP Comprehensive Analysis of Trajectories of Change in the Uplands Project (CIFOR/IRD/NAFRI); CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research; GTZ/BMA German Technical Cooperation; IRD Institute for Development Research; IUCN International Union for Conservation; LIWG Land Issues Working Group; NAFRI National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute; NLMA National Land Management Agency; NUOL/FOF National University of Lao PDR/Faculty of Forestry; SDC Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation; Sida Swedish International Development Agency; URDP Uplands Research and Capacity Development Programme/NAFRI Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry Overview of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Display for the ASEAN Rubber Conference: Lao PDR is experiencing a rapid expansion of rubber cultivation. Industry experts predict that the current estimates of 140,000 ha of rubber planted will grow to some 300,000 ha by 2020. The current boom in rubber is being fueled by a demand from rubber markets (particularly China) and investor interest.   Read More

Title of document: Intensifying upland rice Systems with Stick lac Production in Northern Lao PDR Authors: Bounthanh Keoboualapha, Niphavanh Philavanh, Attachai Jintrawet Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO), Louang Prabang, Lao PDR; Crop Section, PAFO, Louang Prabang, Lao PDR; Multiple Cropping Center (MCC), Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand. Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry The Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is a land-link country with a total area of 236,800 km2 and a population of 6.5 million. The country is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by Vietnam to the east, Thailand to the west, Myanmar and China to the north, and Cambodia to the south. About 20% of the area is flat land (70-200 msl), which is prevalent in the southwestern region, while the other 80% is sloping land and mountainous (200-2820 msl), which is predominant in the northern region (Figure 1.). The country has a tropical monsoon climate with mean annual rainfall of 1000-1500 mm.   Read More

Title of document: Food and Nutrition Security ATLAS of Lao PDR Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: World Food Programme (WFP); Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Year of publication: 2013 Geographic focus: Lao PDR The Atlas on Food and Nutrition Security in Lao PDR is based on a conceptual framework developed by WFP/VAM. The framework allows for a comprehensive analysis of food and nutrition security by taking into account household livelihood assets and strategies, contextual factors, shocks and hazards.   Read More

Title of document: Organic Agriculture in Lao PDR Lessons - Learnt from Organic Production and Marketing Groups Authors: Thiphavong Boupha Year of publication: 2014 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues / topics addressed: Organic Production and Marketing Groups School of agroecology: Organic Agriculture 1.Provision of training on organic production technologies, formation, management, ICS and basic business planning of producing groups and processors; 2.Provision of training materials, tools and equipments for organic production; 3.Setting up and provision of group fund and facilitation of access to credit; 4.Support on cost of organic certification; 5.Provision of facilities for market place, and in kind support to producer groups participating in public showcase events and market linkages 6. Provision of linkages among producers, processors, retailers in domestic and export markets; 7.Support on daily working allowance for government staff.   Read More

Title of document: Session 1 Lessons from PROFIL and PRO Rice - Document in Lao language Geographic focus: Lao PDR School of agroecology: Organic Agriculture   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