Title of document: Agroecology Transition in Myanmar: Issues, Status and Stakeholder Mapping Authors: San Thein and Aung Thin Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: GRET / Village Integrated Development Association (VIDA) Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Myanmar This report on situation review of agro ecological transition in Myanmar is the follow up feasibility study (Consultation workshop on agro ecology, held at Yangon, on 12 June 2013) with the support of Groupe de Recherche et d’Echanges Technologiques (GRET) conducting a stock taking of practices, actors, success stories and constraints to adoption of  agro ecology principles in Myanmar agriculture sector. This study aims at further mapping agro ecological initiatives at local, state-divisional and national level. The paper is divided into three parts: the first part explains background context, the second reviews the policy and legal framework promoting or restricting the agro ecological activities and the third part is the explanation of six schools of agro ecological activities at country level, divisional (provisional) and local level and their linkages finally followed by brief discussion of allies and champions in respective activities.   Read More

Title of document: Situation review of agro-ecology initiatives, stakeholders and networks in Lao PDR Authors: Phengkhouane Manivong and  Souliyouan Viengkhamsone gte mso 9]>--> Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: GRET / Faculty of Agriculture Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Laos The Situation review of agro-ecology initiatives, stakeholders and networks in Lao PDR reports the information and data on the six most significant agro-ecological practice/schools (SRI, CA, Organic Agriculture, IPM, Agroforestry and VAC/Integrated farming) collected between October to December 2015. It provides a current status of the policy framework, the stakeholders, the initiatives and the achievements related to the agro-ecology in Lao PDR. A desk review combined with interviews and field visits was used for this study.   Read More

Title of document: Agroecological farming innovations: Case studies in Hoa Binh and Lam Dong province, Vietnam Authors: Pham Van Hoi & Ngo The An Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: GRET/CARES Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Vietnam Given the increasing scope and impacts of environmental pollution and food poisonings in Vietnam since its agricultural sector started with further intensification with more chemical inputs used especially pesticides since early 1990s; increasing opportunity for agricultural exports; and more awareness of governments on importance of agricultural sector as well as agricultural exports which has contributed significantly to national economy since early 2010s, numerous important policies have been formulated to boost agricultural development towards more sustainable, notably on efforts of reduction of pesticide uses. This consultancy mission is a small part of the AFD project which aims at increasing the credibility and visibility of agro-ecology practices towards small-holder farmers as well as other relevant stakeholders such as consumers, policy makers, and private actors. Based on the firsthand information gathered from professional network and government websites, Hoa Binh and Lam Dong were selected for field study in which numerous AE innovative farmers were identified and interviewed for their exisiting farming practices and underlying reasons for restructuring their farms towards more ecological orientation.   Read More

Title of document:  Multiple pathways: case studies of sustainable agriculture in China. Authors: Cook, S. and Buckley, L. (eds.) Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: IIED, London. Year of publication: 2015 Geographic focus: China Chinese agriculture currently faces major challenges. China’s use of fertilisers and pesticides is among the highest in the world. Soil erosion and soil pollution are widespread, as is the loss of agricultural biodiversity as high-yielding hybrid crop varieties replace traditional landraces. Water scarcity is widespread and the rapid pace of urbanisation has led to a mass exodus from rural areas, with major implications on the availability of agricultural labour. There is a small but growing trend towards sustainable food production and consumption in China, witnessed by the rise in ecological farms, organic farmers’ markets in major cities and an increasing emphasis on sustainability elements in Chinese agricultural policies. This report from IIED presents eight sustainable agriculture initiatives from seven provinces in China. The case studies include cooperatives, companies, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives, and government-led and farmer-led initiatives. The report views sustainability in all its social, economic and environmental dimensions. The conclusion is that adopting sustainable agriculture in China is quite achievable from a technical standpoint. The major bottlenecks for moving forward are economic and social. Key challenges include how to ensure an adequate market for the products of sustainable agriculture; how to ensure that market returns reflect the environmental, social and health benefits of more sustainable modes of production; how to ensure that smallholders benefit; and how to find sufficient labour to carry out sustainable agricultural practices in rural areas. The case studies showed that collective organisation was essential to the viability of sustainable agriculture and that external actors and the government played a crucial enabling role in supporting a diversity of pathways to sustainable agriculture.   Read More

Title of document: Organic agriculture in the twenty first century Authors: John P. Reganold  and Jonathan M. Wachter in Nature Plants Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Global level Organic agriculture has a history of being contentious and is considered by some as an inefficient approach to food production. Yet organic foods and beverages are a rapidly growing market segment in the global food industry. Here, we examine the per­formance of organic farming in light of four key sustainability metrics: productivity, environmental impact, economic viability and social wellbeing. Organic farming systems produce lower yields compared with conventional agriculture. However, they are more profitable and environmentally friendly, and deliver equally or more nutritious foods that contain less (or no) pesticide residues, compared with conventional farming. Moreover, initial evidence indicates that organic agricultural systems deliver greater ecosystem services and social benefits. Although organic agriculture has an untapped role to play when it comes to the establishment of sustainable farming systems, no single approach will safely feed the planet. Rather, a blend of organic and other innovative farming systems is needed. Significant barriers exist to adopting these systems, however, and a diversity of policy instruments will be required to facilitate their development and implementation.   Read More

Title of document: Agroecology Stakeholder Mapping and Situation Review in Cambodia Authors: Proyuth Ly and Samphiron Sar Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: GRET Year of publication: 2016 Geographic focus: Cambodia The current report presented results from a study on agroecology stakeholder mapping and situation review in Cambodia conducted within the framework of AFD’s funded regional project “Toward Agroecology Transition in the Mekong Region”, implemented by GRET. The study is one of the four studies, conducted in parallel in four countries including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. The overall objective of the study is to map agroecological initiatives at local and national level and provide a more detailed and accurate account of ongoing initiatives promoting agroecology across the region. The study involves desk reviews including national policy framework, technical reports, articles, books addressing the six identified agroecological practices (SRI, IPM, Organic Agriculture, Integrated Farming, Conservation Agriculture and Agroforestry), interviews with 21 actors actively promoting agro-ecological practices, and field visits to the outstanding sites in four provinces (Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo and Siem Reap). The results of the study is divided into five sections: a review of Cambodia’s policy/regulatory frameworks addressing agro-ecological practices, sustainable development, poverty reduction, food security, GI, GAP etc.; status of the six identified agroecological practices and enabling environment; stakeholder mapping and their account of ongoing initiatives; existing networks promoting agroecology; and stories from the fields.   Read More

This document presents the lessons learnt from Sustainable Agriculture and Market Development Project (SAMADP). It was implemented in Paek district, Xiengkhouang province between 2009 and 2015 by Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association (SAEDA) and District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) of Paek district with the funding from Bread for the World and Fastenopfer. This document describes the integrated approach of the project intervention especially on how the project supported small holder farmers in developing better production techniques, use of farmer expert in technology transfer, facilitation of farmer organization in improving production planning and marketing. In addition, it also shows impact of the project in improvement of farmer’s livelihood, strengthening of public extension services and ensuing sustainability of the environment. Lastly, it describes factors of success and limitations.   Read More

  Organic Farming Success Story: Water Hyacinth Cutter initiation for management of local resources in Agriculture activity   Supported by: Doe Taung Thu Organization   In practice since: 2013   Geographic focus: Myanmar   School of agro-ecology: Organic Agriculture   >>> See on map     Read More

Initiative leaflet: Human Ecology Practical Area (HEPA) Supported by: SPERI Geographic focus: Vietnam School of agroecology: Ecological Farming / Organic Agriculture >>> See on map    Read More

Case study's fact sheet: VIENTIANE ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCER GROUP (2) Civil society organizations: Farmer organization In practice since: 2006 Geographic focus: Laos School of agroecology: Organic Agriculture >>> See on map   Read More