Title of document: Planting fodder crops (Lao language) Authors/editor: Agrisud International Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: Agrisud International, SNV, SDC 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: The first series of Master-Farmers booklets published on ALiSEA is to support the establishment and management of improved pastures for big livestock.   Read More

Title of document: The Lao Coffee Notebook Authors/editor: RURAS and Comma Coffee Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: RURAS and Comma Coffee Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Coffee Production, processing roasting and brewing, including a map, statistics…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): https://laocoffee.org/2020/10/03/lao-coffee-notebook/ Summary: The Lao Coffee Notebook is now available! Produced by LURAS in cooperation with Comma Coffee, this unique notebook is packed with information about coffee production, processing roasting and brewing, including a map, statistics and a Lao-English wordlist, all of which has been beautifully illustrated by Tina at Helvetas.   Read More

Title of document: Lao’s Agricultural Statistics Year book 2019 Authors/editor: MAF Journal’s name if any:  Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Lao’s Agricultural Statistics in 2019…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The information presented in this yearbook has been mainly collected by the Technical line Department concerned within the MAF. Other information has been obtained from Lao Statistics Bureau under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment and others agencies.   Read More

Title of document: LIVING LANDSCAPES Embracing Agro-Biodiversity in Northern Laos Authors/editor: Andrea Rodericks Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: TABI 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): https://www.phakhaolao.la/publications/living-landscapes-embracing-agro-biodiversity-northern-laos?fbclid=IwAR1PdBY2QRGw9A9Yqunt03SZTJw7EqO1gJnHpI7250CwFQD9CNP9O9qgh_c Summary: The Lao uplands have long been recognized for their rich agro-biodiversity. Home to globally important species of animals, plants, and micro-organisms, this agro-biodiversity is the legacy of the upland farmers’ agricultural knowledge and practices passed down over generations. Towards the end of the 20th century and the start of this one, the agrarian transition and the integration of Laos into the regional and global economy brought economic opportunity to upland communities. It also brought challenges and contradictions for traditionally subsistence farmers and threats to the biodiversity of the region.   Read More

Title of document: ASEAN Action Plan on Fall Armyworm Control Authors/editor: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ASEAN Secretariat, FAO Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: ASEAN Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first reported in Southeast Asia in late 2018 in Thailand and Myanmar. It has since rapidly spread, and its presence is now confirmed in almost all ASEAN countries. The pest, which feeds on more than 350 plant species, can cause major damage, particularly to maize crops. Now it is endemic in the region, management will need to be focused on control rather than eradication. The impact of the Fall Armyworm’s presence in the ASEAN region will be considerable. Estimates using 10% crop damage across ASEAN maize crops indicates an annual US$884 million cost. Both in lost farmer income and as buyers are forced to import maize. ASEAN farmers are in urgent need of effective, locally valid and regionally relevant management solutions. Appropriate, cost-effective and practical integrated pest management (IPM) methods also wait to be developed, validated, promoted and/or scaled up.   Read More

Title of document: Rapid Assessment of Food Security and Agriculture in Lao PDR Authors/editor: WFP, FAO, MAF Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: WFP, FAO, MAF Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: markets, trade, investment, food security, nutrition…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: While there have been just 19 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) to date in Lao PDR, the country – as with other countries around the world – has been affected by secondary social and economic impacts as a result of measures instituted to stop the spread of the virus. This survey seeks to measure the impact of the crisis on food security and agriculture in order to identify bottlenecks and affected populations/provinces, and ultimately guide any required response…   Read More

Title of document: EFICAS Know-How Series “Community-based Agricultural Development Planning (CADP)” Authors/editor: Jean-Christophe Castella, Pascal Lienhard, Hoa Tran Quoc, Chanthasone Khamxaykhay, Sisavath Phimmasone, Soulikone Chaivanhna, Chanthavone Phonekhampeng Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: EFICAS Year of publication: 2020 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example AGROECOLOGICAL INNOVATION FARMERS OWN EXPERIMENTS ENGAGE …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: An emphasis was given over the past decade to participatory land-use planning (PLUP), with strong policy support, development of methods and tools. Land-use planning has gradually improved with increased farming communities' participation and ownership of the planning process, and improved techniques for data collection and mapping. Initial participatory diagnostic usually includes an inventory and prioritization of village problems, a description of village history and demography, the identification of farming practices, of constraints to local development, as well as technical and organizational levers to improve systems performance. Unfortunately, the PLUP process usually ends with a PLUP report and map set at the entrance of the village, whereas it should be the starting point towards the effective implementation of the plan. Land use planning is not only about supporting the initial diagnosis but also about supporting the implementation of a collectively-agreed territorial plan, which still remains a challenge. Over the past 5 years, the Eco-Friendly Intensification and Climate-resilient Agricultural Systems (EFICAS) project have been working on how to translate these PLUP into action plans and notably into Community-based Agricultural Development Plans (CADPs). A CADP is an action plan: 1) that engages the whole village over several years, 2) that is negotiated and implemented by the village community and district extension agents together, 3) that (hopefully) receives the support of multiple partners/projects for implementation, and 4) that provide clear indicators to monitoring implementation and impacts. This is an adaptive learning process in which the planning, implementation, and monitoring activities are highly inter-related. This manual aims to provide field practitioners with basic information and tips on how to plan, implement, and monitor a CADP.   Read More

Title of document: Farmers’ access to credit in the Lao PDR Authors/editor: NUOL & NAFRI Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: NUOL & NAFRI Year of publication: 2019 Geographic focus: Lao PDR Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: …) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): http://laofab.org/document/view/4237 Summary: This study evaluates the access to finance of three main agriculture activities including rice, pig, and maize. The main determinants of the access to finance experience in farming, education, land size and number of workers. Farmers with at least primary school education have a higher probability of obtaining credit than those who have no school attainment. The analysis of farmer credit risk, based base on the 5 Cs principle, suggests that most farmers have a relatively high level of risk, which is likely to limit their access to credit…   Read More

Title of document: Non-Timber Forest Products in the Green Economy of Lao PDR Authors/editor: Micah L Ingalls, Phetsaphone Thanasack, Cornelia Hett, Andreas Heinimann, Khamphou Phyoyyavong Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: TABI 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): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339301368_Non-Timber_Forest_Products_in_the_Green_Economy_of_Lao_PDR?fbclid=IwAR1zZxZOTIfXR-kecPZYrrPrJKe6n1fsvBwFQxe7O-OidjTs80dge1Ile_A Summary: Poster from The Agrobiodiversity Initiative Project which underlines the importance of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) for upland families in Laos.   Read More

Case study's fact sheet: Bounhome farm Civil society organizations: farmer In practice since: 2014 Geographic focus: Lao PDR School of agroecology: Organic Agriculture >>> See on map    Read More