Title of document: Rush for cash crops and forest protection: Neither and sparing nor land sharing   Authors: Thoumthone Vongvisouk, Rikke Brandt Broegaard, Ole Mertz, Sithong Thongmanivong Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Journal of Land Use Policy Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Laos Url original document: www.elsevier.com/located/landusepol Summary: In many countries with large tracts of tropical forest. There is a dual focus on enhancing forest protection and increasing commercial agricultural for economic devlopment. Laos is a case in point for this deveopment as the government of Laos has a strong commitment to economic growth, with rural farmers in part help realize through a rush for cash crop production destine to be sold in neighboring countries. Maze cultivation, for example,  is rappidly expanding and grown under a Contract Farming System for Vietnamess market. At the same time, government of Laos attempts to increase nationwide forest cover and prepares for REDD+ (reducing deforestation and forest degradation). This paper explores how the recent boom in cash crops is impacting land use and livelihood local communities, as well as affecting forest conservation in Hua Meuang district of Huaphan province in the northeastern Laos. It also examines how local authorities react to these changes and navigate the contradicting policies. Further more the paper analyzes to what extent the land sparing intention of land and forest land allocation policies are fulfilled.   Read More

Case study's fact sheet: VIENTIANE ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCER GROUP (1) Civil society organizations: Farmer organization In practice since: 2006 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Organic Agriculture >>> See on map   Read More

Title of document: The Lao Uplands Sourcebook, Improving livelihoods in the Uplands of Lao PDR, Vol 2, ENG 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: 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: Lao Agro-Biodiversity Platform 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: Introduction; Challenges and opportunities; Next steps; Demonstration and  Launching…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: Presentation for Sub Sector Working Group Meeting on Agrobiodiversity, 16 August 2018, Vientiane, Lao PDR   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: XAO BAN: Starting the agro-ecological transition among Hmong farmers in NongHet, XiengKhouang Province Authors: Laut Lee and Nongnut Foppes Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Xao Ban Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Laos Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Introducing ourselves; Introducing the XaoBan Group; The farmers: Hmong in Nonghet, Xiengkhouang……) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: This presentation for a brief overview XAO BAN: Starting the agro-ecological transition among Hmong farmers in NongHet, XiengKhouang Province 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: The Lao Uplands Sourcebook, Improving livelihoods in the Uplands of Lao PDR, Vol 4, 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

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: Presentations from the Regional Vegetable Forum 2018: Sharing knowledge to promote development of the vegetable sector Authors: Journal’s name if any: Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: GRET/ALiSEA, LWD, WVI-C, DCA, Banteay Srei, Cambodian Horticulture Quality (CHQ of Plant and Food Research PFR) New Zealand, Oxfam, Caritas Cambodia, World Renew, and Anakot Kumar (AK) Year of publication: 2018 Geographic focus: Cambodia and Lao PDR Main issues / topics addressed (for example:…) School of agroecology (if any): Web address to original document (if any): Summary: The regional vegetable forum 2018, as a part of this series of events, has been again initiated by the ACIAR project ASEM/2012/081 – Improving market engagement, postharvest management and productivity of the Cambodian and Lao PDR vegetable industries. The theme of this forum is ‘Innovations of production and supply chain system for improved off-season vegetable’. This forum is proudly sponsored by Agroecology Learning Alliance in South East Asia (GRET/ALiSEA), Life With Dignity (LWD), World Vision International Cambodia (WVI-C), DanChurchAid (DCA), Banteay Srei, Cambodian Horticulture Quality (CHQ of Plant and Food Research PFR) New Zealand, Oxfam, Caritas Cambodia, World Renew, and Anakot Kumar (AK). The ACIAR project ASEM/2012/081 is the collaboration between the University of Adelaide, Charles Sturt University, Department of Primary Industry NSW, General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA), Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Royal University of Agriculture (RUA), iDE   global, SNV, National University of Laos (NUOL), National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute Lao PDR (NAFRI) and Clean Agricultural Development Centre (CADC). This forum held on the 7th September 2018 at Cambodiana Hotel. The event will look to share knowledge of innovative production systems for off-season vegetable and include an overview of trialled low cost, high performing protective cropping systems and other production innovations, planting methods, irrigation and nutrition, and disease and pest management. The latest studies, lesson learned, and/or research of innovative technologies for off-season vegetable in the region including postharvest handling and management and market access will be shared as the part of the supply chain system. The program will consist of the interactive panels discussion about how the innovative technologies both production and supply chain systems could transfer or share within the vegetable industry in the region. A casual networking forum dinner/cocktails drinks will be hosted at the end of the forum giving participants opportunities to develop connections with agribusiness, agricultural development agents, government actors and research institutes regionally   Read More