June 11, 2026, the Sub-Sector Working Group on Farmers and Agribusiness (SSWG-FAB) held a landmark workshop in Vientiane under the theme “20 Years of SSWG-FAB: Achievements, Lessons Learned, and Remaining Gaps.” The event was co-chaired by Mr. Souvanthong Namvong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Cooperatives (DAEC), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and Mr. Björn Schranz, Head of Programs at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). This important session brought together 70 participants in person and 15 participants online, representing a diverse multi-stakeholder group from government, NGOs, NPAs, research institutes, and the private sector working closely with the sub-sector. Together, they gathered to review the platform’s 20-year history, connect national policy with field realities, address private sector engagement gaps, and navigate a major leadership transition as Switzerland concludes its long-term role.

Reflecting on these two decades of partnership, the Swiss Cooperation Office highlighted that the true value of the working group goes far beyond individual outputs. They shared a vital perspective on the platform’s enduring sustainability, stating, “The key achievement is not individual outputs but the existence of a sustained and functioning platform over time. The strength of the SSWG-FAB lies not in any individual co-chair but in its collective ownership and continued relevance to the sector.”

During the innovative “Pitching Space” session, ALiSEA in Laos delivered a concise presentation mapping out its interventions to support smallholders and promote agroecology. The pitch specifically showcased the ALiSEA Knowledge HUB, a centralized digital knowledge management platform that empowers local farmers, researchers, and extension agents with open access to technical briefs and ecological best practices. By participating, ALiSEA successfully aligned its digital networking and field monitoring efforts with the working group’s broader conversations on modernizing agricultural extension systems.

The post 20 Years of SSWG-FAB: Reflection on Achievements, Lessons Learned, and Remaining Gaps appeared first on ALiSEA.

The post ALiSEA Leaders meet in Vietnam to discuss the future of the Agroecology Learning Alliance in SEA appeared first on ALiSEA.

• 

The post Thematic Webinar: Connecting and Sharing Agroecological Knowledge appeared first on ALiSEA.

Here are some figures worth reflecting on:

• Around one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, amounting to approximately 1.3 billion tonnes every year. (FAO)
• In 2022 alone, the world wasted an estimated 1.05 billion tonnes of food at household, food service, and retail levels—nearly 20% of all food available to consumers. (UNEP Food Waste Index Report, 2024)
• On average, each person wastes around 79 kilograms of food annually—equivalent to more than 1.5 kilograms every week. (UNEP Food Waste Index Report, 2024)
• At least one billion meals are discarded every day worldwide, while an estimated 783 million people continue to face hunger. (UNEP, 2024)
• Food loss and waste account for approximately 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a significant contributor to the climate crisis. (UNFCCC)
• Global agrifood systems are responsible for around one-third of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, from food production and processing to transportation and consumption. (FAO)
• Behind every kilogram of wasted food lies a hidden cost: the land, water, energy, labor, and natural resources used to produce it—resources that could have been used more wisely and sustainably.

In the face of these challenges, agroecology offers a promising pathway toward more sustainable food systems.

By reducing dependence on synthetic inputs, enhancing biodiversity, restoring soil health, making efficient use of natural resources, and strengthening connections between producers and consumers, agroecology helps build food systems that are both environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change.

This World Environment Day, let us take a moment to reflect on the way we produce, purchase, prepare, and consume our food.

• Every meal is a choice.
• Every choice has an impact.
• And every impact helps shape the future of our food systems and the planet we all share.

Together, through responsible production and consumption, we can contribute to a healthier environment, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The post Today, 5 June, is World Environment Day appeared first on ALiSEA.

Expert Insights

A session organized on 07 May 2026 brought together more than 25 participants, including both ALiSEA members and non-members. The session featured a guest speaker, Mr. Chanthavone Phonekhampheng, head of the Soil Degradation Prevention and Land Restoration Unit, DLAM, who shared his hands-on experience and techniques on the rice-duck farming system.

Benefits of the System

The rice-duck system provides valuable opportunities for income diversification, which can improve farmers’ resilience and livelihoods. In addition to harvesting rice, farmers can generate income from selling ducks for meat and producing eggs for both household consumption and the market. The system also helps reduce expenses by lowering the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as ducks naturally control pests and contribute to soil fertility. This integrated approach not only increases overall farm productivity but also reduces economic risks, making it a promising model for sustainable and profitable farming.

Leveraging Digital Knowledge

The session highlighted increasing attention toward the rice-duck system as an innovative and practical solution for sustainable agriculture. Emphasis was placed on its potential to improve soil health, manage pests naturally, and generate additional income for farming households.

As an additional session, Mr. Sengvilayavnh Singthavikhoune, ALiSEA Knowledge Management (KM) Coordinator, introduced the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub. He highlighted the platform as a valuable tool for sharing information, resources, and experiences related to agroecology and sustainable agriculture. The Knowledge Hub aims to connect stakeholders, support learning, and facilitate access to practical knowledge that can be applied in the field. This introduction helped strengthen understanding of how digital tools and knowledge-sharing platforms can support the scaling up of agroecological practices across Laos and the wider region.

The post Thematic Webinar: Rice-Duck Farming – Sharing Experience appeared first on ALiSEA.

The post ALiSEA Hosts Agroecology Training for Members in Battambang appeared first on ALiSEA.

It was conducted from 24th to 26th April 2026. The program brought together approximately 28 journalists (8 women) from 20 institutions to learn more about agroecological practices and its links with healthy diets and safe food systems.

Over the three days, a total of 87 participants attended, including 46 women, among them representatives from ALiSEA, the GRET team, AFD, and Agrisud, as well as local authorities, community members, farmers, and youth participants.

This journalist tour was designed to enhance knowledge of local journalists on agroecology, promote local initiatives, strengthen partnerships among ALiSEA members, and connect journalists with key sources of information within the agroecological ecosystem. Moreover, this tour aimed to promote agroecological practices and increase the visibility of members to the public through the local media outlets.

DAY 1: From farm to plate: how agroecology can participate in building sustainable and safe local food system in Siem Reap Province

Journalists met with TETARD project staff from GRET to learn about best practices before visiting farms to observe how agroecological practices are implemented on the ground. During the tour, they explored how diversified farming improves nutrition by producing a variety of crops that support healthier and more balanced diets for communities.

In addition, journalists had the opportunity to interact directly with farmers, listening to their experiences, challenges, and motivations in adopting agroecological practices. They interviewed TETARD project staff supporting farmers and communities, commune agricultural officers, local authorities, a primary school director purchasing vegetables from the community in the framework of the Home Grown School Feeding Program, and health center staff from Siem Reap.

Besides that, journalists also learned about the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) implemented by ECOFARM Agriculture Cooperative, a community-based certification mechanism that strengthens trust between farmers and consumers. The visits highlighted the importance of local food systems in improving rural livelihoods and reducing dependency on external inputs.

Journalists capturing the story of Rice Husk Vinegar production process

DAY 2: Market for AE products and Processing

The journalists visited the weekly market taking place every weekend in Siem Reap city to meet sellers and consumers and better understand their perceptions of safe food products. They conducted direct interviews with representatives from the Provincial Department of Commerce, the Provincial Department of Agriculture, the Weekly Market Committee in charge of the Weekly Market, consumers, and market vendors to learn more about local demand and trust in safe local agricultural products.

Exploring agroforestry practices in Vanilla and Black Ginger cultivation

The tour traveled to Kulen Mountain to visit communities supported by Agrisud, where farmers practice agroforestry techniques for cultivating vanilla and black ginger. Journalists met with local farmers to learn how these crops are grown and processed to generate additional income and improve family livelihoods through the dried spice producers’ group in Khnang Phnom Kulen.

DAY 3: Youth Engagement in Agroecology (promote Youth initiatives)

The tour traveled to Kampong Thom to learn about youth-led agroecology initiatives. The team visited Sala Visay Commune in Prasat Balangk District to observe young people’s engagement in promoting agroecological transitions. Many of them are returnees from working abroad who have come back to their hometowns to take up farming as a way to generate income and support sustainable agriculture. The initiative was supported by the Action for Development organization in Kampong Thom. This event concluded after they met Young in Kampong Thom.

Journalists interviewed the youths who were in the Agroecology initiative

The post Agroecological Journalist Tour to Siem Reap and Kampong Thom province appeared first on ALiSEA.

As part of ongoing learning and knowledge exchange, the workshop also served as a platform to provide updates from organizations and market actors actively promoting agroecological products and supporting value addition initiatives.

During the session, Mr. Nhoeng Kakada, Agriculture and Value Chain Specialist (AVCS), Lutheran Hope Cambodia Organization (LHCO), presented the context and rationale for introducing the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among local cooperatives, outlining the implementation process as well as key challenges and lessons learned for scaling up the initiative. PGS was being introduced by LHCO under the support of the ALiSEA small grant in 2024.

In addition, Ms. Thai Soda, a vice president of ECOFARM, shared her experiences on the collaboration model and implementation of PGS with customers. She highlighted ECOFARM’s role in promoting agroecological products, the collaborative approach between farmers, cooperatives, and consumers, the mechanisms used to ensure trust and transparency, and the benefits and lessons learned from strengthening linkages between producers and markets.

ECOFARM currently supplies its products through several channels: direct sales to consumers, distribution to nine primary schools in Siem Reap, and partnerships with markets such as Phnom Penh Khmer Community Market and Amarak Phnom Penh Farm. To expand market access, she highlighted the importance of product exhibitions, online promotion, and sponsorship of specific events, as well as organizing farm visits (consumer day or exchange visit) to build trust with potential buyers. She also emphasized that maintaining strong relationships with local authorities plays a crucial role in promoting products and strengthening consumer trust. Furthermore, the weekly market in Siem Reap is one market destination that serves not only as a sales place but also as a space to promote safe products.

The workshop concluded with a perception survey conducted among participants to assess priorities for AE value addition strategies in the Cambodian context. The findings indicated that the most highly ranked strategies included organic and agroecological certification; product processing and diversification; and collective action and cooperative marketing, as well as branding, labeling, and storytelling.

In addition, short food supply chains and direct marketing approaches were recognized as important pathways for enhancing product value and market access. PGS were also included among the strategies assessed; however, the survey results revealed that PGS has not yet attracted significant attention from participants. This suggests a need for increased awareness-raising, capacity building, and demonstration of its practical benefits to encourage broader adoption and recognition.

This webinar was organized by ECOLAND and DPA under the support of the PArTNER project, led by Uni4Coop, and the Agroecology Promotion Program (APP), led by GRET.

Presentations are available to download below:

1. 2026 Thematic March, Introduction to the event
2. Presentation on PGS & Cam-GAP LHCO
3. 3. PGS implemented by ECOFARM in Marketing

The post Online Thematic workshops​ on Update Our Progress on Value Addition for Agroecology Products appeared first on ALiSEA.

To explore this important connection between responsible consumption and sustainable production, ALiSEA Vietnam successfully organized the thematic webinar “Market Access for Agroecological Products: Domestic and Export Perspectives” on 11 April 2026 via Zoom.

The webinar welcomed nearly 100 participants, including 45 men and 51 women, reflecting growing interest in safe, transparent, and responsibly produced food systems.

The session created a valuable space for ALiSEA members, farmers, enterprises, cooperatives, and consumers to exchange practical experiences and insights on how agroecological products can better access domestic and international markets.

Mr. Tran Manh Chien, Founder & CEO of Bác Tôm, shared the journey of building a nature-based food ecosystem rooted in the philosophy of living in harmony with nature. His presentation highlighted that consumer trust is built through transparency, consistent quality, and values-driven business models. Through Bác Tôm & Farms, he demonstrated how healthy food, ecological farming, and community-building can be integrated into one sustainable ecosystem.

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Ngan, Board Member of TRUECOOP and CEO of Viet Haus, shared practical insights into export markets and the growing global demand for organic products. She emphasized that international buyers require strict standards in quality, traceability, certification, and supply capacity. Her message was clear: the market does not lack buyers but lacks products that meet the right requirements.

Ms. Mayu Ino, Founder of Seed to Table Vietnam, shared experiences in connecting farmers, communities, and consumers through education and community-based initiatives. Her presentation highlighted the importance of raising consumer awareness and strengthening collaboration to create long-term positive change in both production and consumption.

The webinar reminded participants that choosing safe and traceable food is not only an act of self-care but also a way to support farmers and businesses committed to responsible production.

Through this webinar, ALiSEA Vietnam continues to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships, and encourage more responsible consumption as a key driver for sustainable and agroecological food systems.

All presentations are available to download below:

1. ALiSEA_Seed to Table_webinar April by Ms. Mayu

2. KSTĐ Trần Chiến_ webinar April by Bác TOm

3. ALiSEA_ Viethaus_ webinar April by Ms. My Ngan.pptx.pptx

Watch the full webinar recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrDthhrA634&t=4s

The post Webinar recap: Market Access for Agroecological Products appeared first on ALiSEA.

A major highlight of the AGM was the focus on the National Nutrition Strategy (2026–2035). This discussion was perfectly timed with the National Stakeholder Validation workshop organized by the Ministry of Health on April 6, 2026. That virtual session aimed to finalize the 10-year strategy with key stakeholders to ensure quality, coherence, and national ownership across the four nutrition systems.

At the AGM, Dr. Khamphouvanh, Director General of the National Centre for Nutrition, presented both the 10-year strategy and the 5-year national action plan (2026–2030) to ensure SUN CSA members are fully prepared for this new phase of implementation.

The morning session included a progress report for 2024–2025 presented by Ms. Phoutthakone. Additionally, UNICEF shared findings from the LSIS III Report, providing the evidence base needed for the network’s future interventions.

The AGM concluded with a call to action from the Co-Chairs, including Dr. Southisouk Inthavilay and Ms. Kelly Khamphousay, urging all 79 members to continue their dedicated coordination toward a healthier future for all in Lao PDR.

In the afternoon, the SUN CSA 2026 Activity Plan was developed through an interactive “whiteboard” session, where the 50 attendees contributed directly to the network’s priorities. The plan is built around four core functions:

• Capacity Building & Knowledge Management: Focusing on technical skills, research, and improved access to nutrition data.

• Partnerships: Expanding collaboration with the private sector, universities, and research institutes, and increasing CSO access to finance

• Policy Dialogue & Nutrition Practice: Contributing member expertise to policy formation and practical implementation.

• Governance & Management: Ensuring a strong and engaged leadership structure.

The network’s governance is managed by a Member Committee (MC), which consists of 10 elected members: 5 from CSOs and 5 from INGOs. During the meeting, it was announced that one MC seat for an INGO representative is currently available. The network is actively seeking a motivated representative from its international member organizations to fill this vacancy.

All the presentations are available to download HERE

The post SUN CSA Annual General Meeting 2026: Collaborating for a Nutritious Lao PDR appeared first on ALiSEA.