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To facilitate wider learning and exchange, the workshop presentations and materials have been made available through the ALiSEA Knowledge Hub: https://ckan.ali-sea.org/dataset/ws-connecting-forestry-and-agroforestry-cooperatives-with-enterprises

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ALiSEA invites its members and partners to explore these resources and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable forestry and agroforestry value chains.

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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.

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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

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To achieve these goals, the government has outlined seven priority programmes:

• Food security and nutrition.

• Commercial agricultural and forestry production.

• Forest management and conservation.

• Land allocation and management.

• Water resource management.

• Environmental protection.

• Rural development and poverty reduction.

The implementation of this plan is bolstered by significant international partnerships and financial investments, including USD 33 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and USD 4.5 million from the United Nations. Highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, ALiSEA Laos representatives—including SAEDA, PAKA, GRET, and SEED—were invited to join this important workshop.

In its broader role, ALiSEA supports the transition to sustainable food systems in Laos by promoting agroecology (AE) as a core approach. By advocating for climate-resilient farming, organic practices, and seed saving, ALiSEA’s work directly aligns with the National Action Plan’s priorities to protect the environment and enhance food security. Furthermore, ALiSEA ensures this transformation remains inclusive by empowering farmers, youth, and women, ultimately helping to deliver tangible benefits and sustainable livelihoods to communities across the country.

As noted by Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, minister of agriculture and environment, the government remains fully committed to implementing the plan and working with partners to deliver tangible benefits for the population. He emphasized that this integrated approach is a major milestone in Lao PDR’s efforts to transform its food systems and lay a strong foundation for sustainable development.

For more details, you can access the official presentation materials HERE

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Presentations from government and ASEAN representatives introduced the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transition, which aim to connect regional policies with local practices. Group discussions proposed key actions, including planning for agroecology, financing initiatives, building local capacity, and creating pilot projects. The consultation concluded with recommendations to strengthen multi-stakeholder engagement and align local efforts with ASEAN’s regional goals, laying a foundation for a sustainable agroecology transition.

For a detailed summary, you can download the full report here

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Established in October 2023 under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the SSWG-AE aims to facilitate and coordinate the sharing of lessons learned on agroecology, formulate Laos’ vision of sustainable landscape management approaches, and disseminate this vision to the global community. Chaired by the Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM) and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), the SSWG-AE brings together representatives from government agencies, development partners, and international organizations, fostering a collaborative environment for advancing agroecology in Laos.

The inaugural meeting served as a crucial forum for introducing the SSWG-AE, its objectives, and its mandate to its members. Participants delved into the concepts, practices, and challenges of agroecology in Laos, gaining a shared understanding of this transformative approach to sustainable agriculture. Stocktaking of policies related to agroecology and food system resilience provided insights into the current landscape and identified areas for further development.

Civil society organizations shared their experiences in implementing agroecology initiatives in Laos, highlighting the potential of this approach to empower communities, enhance livelihoods, and protect the environment. These experiences served as valuable case studies, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of agroecology in the Laotian context.

In a consultative session, participants identified key action areas for agroecology implementation and suggested topics for future SSWG-AE meetings. This collaborative effort laid the foundation for a comprehensive strategy to advance agroecology in Laos, ensuring that it aligns with the country’s national development goals and contributes to a more sustainable and resilient future.

The inaugural meeting of the SSWG-AE marks a significant step forward in advancing agroecology in Laos. The meeting’s outcomes will inform the development of a national agroecology strategy and contribute to the implementation of the 9^th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (9^th NSEDP 2021-2025).

The presentations are available for download below:

1. Background, objectives, and mandate of the new SSWG Agroecology, presented by Dr Thatheva Saphangthong, Deputy Director General, DALaM [English version] [Lao version]
2. Agroecology concepts, practices and challenges in Laos,  presented by Andrew Bartlett, Senior Policy Advisor [English version] [Lao version]
3. Stocktaking on policies related to agroecology and safe food system, presented by Mr. Somsamay Vongthilath, Deputy Director of Planning division, DOPC / MAF [English version] [Lao version]
4. Civil society experience in implementing agroecology in Laos, presented by Mr Thongdam Phongphichith, Co-Director, SAEDA [English version] [Lao version]

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Date: 24-27 OCTOBER 2023

Time: 08:30 AM – 17:00 PM (GMT +7)

Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Transitioning Towards Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture: A Contribution to Food Systems Transformation (TARASA23) is an international workshop that focuses on the contemporary and unprecedented challenges on a global scale and more specifically the Asia-Pacific region regarding the transition towards agroecology and regenerative agriculture.

The workshop will gather regional and international experts, policymakers, scientists, and representatives from civil society and other constituencies to share their experience and knowledge in the fields of Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture, which would support the transition towards sustainable farming and food systems.

Objectives of the Workshop:

• To share and learn from different experiences in Asia and the Pacific related to agroecology and regenerative agriculture to support farming and food systems transitioning.
• To discuss how to scale the successes and learn from the failures; a major output of the workshop will be to identify the key research and intervention areas to be addressed in each sub-system (technologies/ education/ implementation/ policy/ finance) to support the transitioning towards regenerative agriculture through agroecology in Asia and Pacific.
• To draft a roadmap for an ASEAN Agroecology coalition chapter.

Who should attend?

The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about agroecology and regenerative agriculture, or in getting involved in the movement to transform our food systems. This includes:

• Farmers and ranchers
• Scientists and researchers
• Policymakers and government officials
• Food system advocates and activists
• Consumers

How to register for the event?

To register for the event, please visit the following link: HERE

If you are working in the field of Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture towards food systems, we would be happy to hear and learn about your experiences of your work.  Be one of our speakers during the event by submitting your abstracts following link: HERE

Why this event is important?

The transition to agroecology and regenerative agriculture is essential for creating a more sustainable and equitable food system. These approaches can help us to produce more food with less environmental impact, while also improving the livelihoods of farmers and other food producers.

This event provides an opportunity to learn more about these approaches and how to support their implementation. It is a must-attend event for anyone who is interested in the future of food and agriculture.

If you are interested in learning more about agroecology and regenerative agriculture, or if you are looking for ways to transform our food systems, we encourage you to attend this event.

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Agriculture plays a crucial role in economic development while alleviating poverty and malnutrition as well as preventing environmental destruction and reducing violence. Deprived conditions for agriculture hold grave implications for socio-economic development and sustainable peace in many countries. The escalation or continuation of conflicts worldwide remains the biggest cause of food insecurity. These mainly affect the rural populations, heavily impacting food and agricultural production and smallholder livelihoods. The rehabilitation of agriculture, therefore, has a central role in building and consolidating peace while contributing to food security and rural development.
Food security is a necessary requirement to achieving peace, particularly in countries where agriculture and food production are key to economic and social development. A stable, peaceful environment is the foundation of lasting food security and sustainable livelihoods.

Poor agricultural development and poverty can increase the motivation to join the armed forces to improve one’s standard of living. Sustainable agricultural development and food systems are essential in preventing conflicts and reducing the likelihood of a recurrence of violence. This must rely on the combined efforts of all stakeholders in the value chain, from farmers, input suppliers, processors, traders, distributors, consumers, scientists, and civil society.
For peace-building, the revitalization of the agricultural sector must be supported to increase food production and to generate income opportunities for rural communities, including ex-combatants, women, and young people. Good and stable governance can contribute to the building of sustainable food systems from the local to national to the global level.

Organic agriculture and sustainable food systems can be an effective driver for peace-building activities in conflict and violence-prone areas. It has proven to be effective in increasing and stabilizing yields, particularly in marginal lands. It also provides farmers with a premium return on investment as farmers do not have to invest heavily in chemical fertilizers and pesticides. By reducing the cost of inputs, organic agriculture can help to battle poverty.
Organic agriculture also builds on local management skills and resources, enabling local communities to be food self-sufficient and combat poverty. It also provides diversified, healthy, and nutritious food for farming families and communities. It is a viable option for family farms and smallholders, mostly affected by armed conflict, by supporting food sovereignty, and therefore food security.

Introduction to Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte – “From Arms to Farms: Walking through the Paths of Peace”

Since the 1970s, Kauswagan was the center of decades-long conflict between local insurgencies and the military with the poverty rate at an all-record high of 90%.

In 2010, a new local government leadership stepped in and started to address the root causes of the conflict, which were found to be poverty, food insecurity and inequalities between population groups. The project ‘From Arms to Farms: Walking through the Paths of Peace’, proved very successful in addressing these issues.
As part of the broader Sustainable Integrated Kauswagan Area Development and Peace Agenda (SIKAD PA), ‘From Arms to Farms’ is an agricultural training program that helps former combatants to reintegrate into society while at the same time addressing the food security problem. These combatants agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for farm materials and a decade later, they have become the most exemplary organic farmer leaders in the municipality. The poverty rate has decreased to 20% levels.

The agricultural program covered the areas of demobilization and food security through so-called Peace Path Workshops that sought to restore trust within the different groups of the community, for a durable ending to the conflict to be achieved over time. These workshops were led by the different organizations involved with the project and religious leaders and targeted as many parts of society as possible.

For its efforts, Kauswagan was awarded with the UCLG Peace Prize in October 2016 and an Honorable Mention of the Future Policy Award in 2018.

Important Details of the Paper Call

The 6th OAC will be a physical event. More than two thousand people will attend the events from June 6th
to 9th,2023.

For selected speakers, the hosts will cover the costs of a round-trip economy class flight ticket including domestic flight tickets, 4-day accommodation in Kauswagan, food, and transport within the Philippines. Airport transfers will also be arranged.

Please note that only one speaker per paper will be sponsored.

Guidelines for the Paper Call (Submission Deadline: February 10th, 2023)

Papers submitted must be related to the main theme and should address regional impacts with possible replications in other countries in Asia. Topics relating to the theme will be prioritized.

Papers should stay within the following subthemes:

1. Organic agricultural development, innovations, and successful programs for peacebuilding
2. Governance and social inclusiveness (with a focus on women, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples, youth, etc.) for sustainable food systems
3. Climate change adaptation and natural resource management for food security and peace
4. Government policies and initiatives on organic agriculture and food security
5. Building economic & social empowerment through rural revitalization

Please submit your abstract to: paper@asia.ifoam.bio & lifeng@asia.ifoam.bio and cc:li.feng.organic@outlook.com

After submission, you will be acknowledged of the receipt of the abstract within three working days.

Please use the abstract template given. All paper submissions must follow the format provided. Papers which do not comply with the correct format will be rejected upon submission.

Download template at: https://asia.ifoam.bio/the-call-for-papers-for-the-6th-organic-asia-congress-is-now-open/the-6th-oac-paper-call-template/

All submissions are in the English language.

The abstract is between 1,000 – 1,200 words. The abstract will be included in the official OAC Proceedings.

Notification of paper acceptance will be made at the latest by February 20th, 2023.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Speakers will only be finalized once the VISA to the Philippines has been approved by April 20th, 2023.
If the VISA process is NOT completed by then, the speaking slot will be given to the next speaker on the waitlist.

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