Title of document: SRI in Laos Author: Kazuyuki SHIMAZAKI (Translation from Japanese book Rice Farming Revolution by SRI published by J-SRI in Sept. 2011) Year of publication: 2011 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: System of Rice Intensification The first organization to introduce SRI into Laos was Oxfam Australia, a non-governmental organization (NGO), which conducted the first SRI trials during the rainy season of 2001. The Lao National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), however, conducted its own trials during the dry season of 2001/02 and the rainy season 2002 and concluded that “the likelihood of disseminating SRI throughout Laos is extremely slim.” As a result of this verdict, the spread of SRI within Laos was, thereafter, limited to a very small amount of progress attributable to the support of several international NGOs.   Read More

Title of document: Guideline on SRI Practice in Irrigated Paddy Fields in Laos Authors: Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. in association with NIACONSULT, Inc. & Lao Consulting Group Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Planning; Northern Rural Infrastructure Development, Sector Project; ADB Year of publication: 2012 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: System of Rice Intensification The System of Rice Intensification, known as SRI, is an innovation in rice production systems by raising productivity of the land, labor, water and capital. SRI is a set of modified practices for managing rice plants and the soil, water and nutrients. SRI can produce more paddy yield with less external inputs. Furthermore, SRI is environment-friendly. SRI method can be adopted to any type of rice variety (local variety, HYV, hybrid variety). SRI is an innovation that is constituted entirely of knowledge, but not depending on external inputs and materials.   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: 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: 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: 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: Status of Community Based Forest Management in Lao PDR Authors: Khamphay Manivong and Phouthone Sophathilath Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: RECOFTC; NAFRI Year of publication: 2007 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Agro-forestry Community involvement in forest management was (first) introduced in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in 1989 when the First National Forestry Conference declared the new forest policy direction toward sustainable forest management. In this policy the government officially recognized the importance of local people’s participation in forest management. To ensure the new forest policy’s direction, the Government developed a Tropical Forestry Action Plan (TFAP) in 1990 and officially adopted it one year later. It was the first forest development program that advocated people’s participation in forest management (DOF, 2000). Another important policy instrument that shaped community based natural resource management in the 1990s was the Land Use Planning and Land Allocation Policy, which recognized the rights of local people to use and manage natural resources. It also encouraged local people’s participation in the management planning and protection of the forest. Since then a number of community based forest management (CBFM) models have been developed, tested and applied under different forest and socio-economic conditions in the country. However, whilst various lessons and experiences have been gained from these different models, these experiences have not always been widely documented, exchanged and coordinated.   Read More

Title of document: Consumer perceptions of organic food in  the Lao PDR Authors: Isabelle VAGNERON, Chitpasong KOUSONSAVATH, Maiyer XONG Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: Lao PDR School of agroecology: Organic agriculture Organisation: CIRAD/Oxfam/European Union/National University of Laos Web address: http://laofab.org/document/view/2750 Summary of the document: In general the document indicates the current perceptions and attitudes of end-users (customers, traders, restaurants) towards organic food in the Lao PDR.   Read More

Title of document: 7th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2011-2015) Author: H.E. Dr. Bounthavy SISOUPHANTHONG Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republlic Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: Laos   Read More

Title of document: Profiles of participants attending the multi stakeholder workshops on agroecological transition in the Mekong Region Authors: ALiSEA Team Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: ALiSEA Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam Summary: These 4 documents compile short biographies and contact details of most of the participants who have attended the 4 national multi-stakeholder workshops addressing Agroecological Transition in the Mekong Region organized between March and June 2016 (Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam Lao PDR).   Read More