• Date: 28–31 July 2026
• Location: Champasak Province, Laos
• Co-organized by: GRET, PAKA, SAEDA
• Co-funded by: SDC, AFD, and the European Union (EU)

Background and Rationale

The Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA) aims to promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and networking among stakeholders working toward sustainable agriculture in the region. Engaging the media is a key part of this effort, as journalists play a critical role in raising public awareness of agroecological practices and connecting farming communities with wider audiences.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen agroecology networks and media engagement in Laos, ALiSEA — together with GRET, PAKA, and SAEDA — has organized this field visit and exchange activity in Champasak Province. This activity is designed exclusively for journalists, giving them direct exposure to agroecological practices on the ground so they can produce informed, first-hand reporting on agricultural work and food systems in Laos.

Objectives

• Provide journalists with a foundational understanding of agroecology (AE) through an orientation session
• Give journalists direct field exposure to agroecological practices and the people implementing them
• Highlight youth-led agribusiness models and their impact on local communities
• Showcase a farmer-led organic production group as a model of collective transition to organic farming
• Continue to strengthen relationships between ALiSEA and the media sector.
• Promote media engagement in producing news, articles, and stories related to agroecology and agricultural work

Expected Outcomes

• Journalists gain a clear understanding of agroecology and practices through direct field experience.
• Increased media coverage of youth agribusiness and organic farming models in south of
• Strengthened relationships and future collaboration between ALiSEA and the media sector
• Key lessons and stories from the exchange are shared on ALiSEA’s online platforms (Facebook, website)
• Increased public awareness and motivation to support agroecological and organic initiatives in Laos.

Number of Participants

• Journalist: 08 journalists (06 people from Vientiane, 02 people from Chanpasak Province).
• Organization: 05 People: (from Vientiane, 04 People; from elsewhere, 01 Person).

This visit is focused exclusively on journalists to allow for deeper immersion and story development.

Overview of Exchange Areas in Champasak Province

Day 1(in the morning): Orientation — Introduction to Agroecology (AE) for Journalists

• Orientation session introducing agroecology principles.
• Briefing on the field visit program and expectations for media coverage

Place 1: Pak Song District — Young Agribusiness (Coffee and Bees)

Location: Pak Song District, Champasak Province.

• Visit a young female entrepreneur who built her own coffee and bee-keeping agribusiness.
• Learn her motivation and journey to becoming a young agripreneur.
• Highlight how the business creates community impact — purchasing produce from and hiring local community members.
• Discuss challenges and opportunities in scaling a youth-led agribusiness
• Interviews and photo/video opportunities for journalist stories

Place 2: Organic Farming Group

Location: Champasak Province (SAEDA project).

• Visit a model farmer-led organic production group.
• Learn the story of the group’s transition from conventional to organic and group-based production
• Discussion on lessons learned and the group’s impact on the local farming community
• Interviews and photo/video opportunities for journalist stories