“Agricultural Research in Lao PDR.“ Lao PDR-Thailand Science Technology and Innovation Cooperation Workshop Don Chan Palace Hotel, Vientiane, Lao PDR 1-2 March, 2012 Vanthong Phengvichith, PhD Director of Research Management Division, NAFRI, MAF National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI)

Contents 1.NAFRI strategy and Mandate 2.NAFRI Research programmes ( ) 3.Priority of Agricultural Research in Lao PDR 4.Conclusion

NAFRI’s Strategy & Mandates National Socio-economic Development Strategy up to 2020 Agriculture and Forestry Sector still plays crucial roles in socio-economic development, poverty eradication and sustainable natural resource management MAF needed to change its policy to ensure a balance between rapid economic growth and sustainable development, and has set a strategic orientation for agriculture and forestry towards Sustainable Development, Food and Income Security;

NAFRI’s Strategy & Mandates (cont.) MAF has set 4 Goals: The improvement of livelihoods (through improved agriculture)... has food security as its first priority. Increased and modernized production of agricultural commodities based on organizations of smallholder farmers and private sector... Sustainable production patterns, including the stabilization of shifting cultivation and climate change adaptation measures,...to agro-ecological conditions in each region. Sustainable forest management and preserve biodiversity... This leads to NAFRI to change restructured its mandates and research priorities:

NAFRI’s Policy Directives Vision: Food security, increased income and sustainable utilization of natural resourcesMission: Carry out research for development that focus on Food security, increased income and sustainable utilization of natural resources, and supports policy development, Develop research culture and capability in agriculture and forestry, and Develop an effective communication and information systems

GOALs of NAFRI To develop appropriate methods and technologies to strengthen agriculture production systems for different agro-ecological zones in Laos that focus on ensuring food security as well as income generation opportunities for farmers, To support the development of improved methods to ensure the sustainable management of land and natural resources, To improve access to information and knowledge of different actors so they can make informed decisions at different levels.

RCRC 2 PRC 1 FRC LRCHRCLAReCLWRC ISC 3 ECoRC SAFReC NAFReC NAFRI Research Council Director General AFD RMD PCD 1 NAFRI needs to fit itself into MAF’s Policy and Structure NAFRI’s Structure 3 Management Divisions; 11 Research Centres 350 permanent staffs 1= newly established 2= Changed name 3= newly upgraded

What’s Priority? Research Programs and Area Focus

Research Programmes 1.Food security and Safety 2.Improvement and empowerment of farmers’ livelihoods 3.Sustainable Natural Resources and Agro- biodiversity management 4.Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change 5.Capacity and Research network Development

Program Food security and Safety Program Maximizing return per unit of land through productivity improvement. Increased productivity of potential crops, livestock, fisheries and NTFPs for food security and commercial production, Efficient use of water for agriculture production, Development of cost effective soil improvement technologies, development of integrated farming system for different agro-ecological zones.

Improvement and empowerment of farmers’ livelihoods 1. Improve enabling environment and mechanisms to support agriculture Production Microfinance, development funds and credit, Agri-business development, Development of production group and local service providers, Policy and legal frameworks; Incentives system, Understanding agrarian change and local knowledge systems. 2. Marketing and quality requirements for agriculture and forestry products, Quality and market for agri-products, Impacts of Market and marketing.

Sustainable Natural Resources and Agro-biodiversity management Recommendations on enabling mechanisms to support biodiversity conservation and utilization Improve LUP measures, procedures and methodologies, Land use management systems improvement. Participatory management systems of natural forests that ensure short and long-term benefits, Community-based local resource management (land, forestry and water for agriculture), In-situ and ex-situ conservation; Identification and domestication of species of high potential for development and conservation,

Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change Improved smallholder farmer’s adaptation capacities to climate change Land use planning for the agro-ecological zone where having the risk for natural disaster Develop Agri. technologies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change (MART-Agriculture) Develop strategies that enable policy makers to deliver more effective climate adaptation programs relevant to farmer livelihoods and food security.

Capacity and Research network Development 1. Capacity Development that focusing on three areas: Human resource development, Organisational development, and Institutional development 2. Information services Improve facilities and management systems (ICT, Library, production) Develop AKIS (sharing information, resource and responsibilities; networks; links.) Strengthen multi-level and multi-stakeholders information communication and coordination.

What’s current Agricultural Research Priority?

Current Research priority in the Low land agro-ecological zone Ensuring food security and cash income: – Paddy rice 4.2 million tons annually up to – Meat and fish consumption kg per caput/year Improving productivity of crop production systems Research focus on development of appropriate technologies and suitable varieties for rice other crop production, (Crop breeding for variety improvement, development of agronomy and seed multiplication techniques) More intensive forms of crop production and mechanization, Diversification and moving from subsistence rice production for food and cash crops for the market. Rice CassavaMaizeRubber

Current Research priority in the Low land agro-ecological zone (cont.) Improving livestock production systems to ensuring in food production and income generation Livestock Research: Focus on improving breeds, nutrition, disease and parasite control, improved husbandry (management) and marketing) Improving existing aquaculture production systems and natural fisheries Fisheries Research: Focus on improving brood stock, nutrition, disease control, natural fishery management, environmental protection and marketing.

Current Research priority in the Low land agro-ecological zone (cont.) Efficient use of water for agriculture production Develop efficiency in water utilization in agriculture productions and water harvesting and saving technologies Soil improvement and conservation technologies Development of cost effective soil improvement technologies adapting promisingly proved techniques as a base (e.g. adaptation of zero tillage system). Agro-processing and Marketing Post harvest losses study, development and testing of post- harvesting technologies for important commodities to value added. Increased opportunities for market production are the single biggest motivating factor for farmers to change and improve their farming systems

Characteristic of Uplands: Diverse & Fragile Environment, remote Communities High Ethnic diversity, subsistent farming & food insecurity Major incidences of poverty and food insecurity are found in upland areas Challenge: Stabilization of Shifting for poverty reduction. Sustainable natural forest management (increase forest cover to 70% by 2020) Current Research priority in the Upland agro-ecological zone

Government put more effort on stabilized shifting cultivation

The change of agriculture and the utilization of natural resources in Uplands Land for food production have been replaced by cash crops Rubber Boom High demand on NTFP (over- exploitation) Peuk muaek and cinnamom tree roots

Current Research priority in the Upland agro-ecological zone Food security is the high priority in the upland Intensification and diversification of crop production systems Diversification and moving from subsistence shifting upland rice cultivation to producing a range of crops for food and cash crops for the market. Research focus on development of appropriate technologies for intensification and diversification of farming systems ( Integration Crop-livestock production systems eg. Rubber and livestock, maize and livestock, other agro-foresty...) Forage grass for cut and carry feeding

Current Research priority in the Upland agro-ecological zone (cont.) Improving livestock production systems to ensuring in food production and income generation Research focus on improving nutrition, disease and parasite control, improved husbandry (management), breed and marketing Stylo inter-cropping with rubber Forage grass for cut and carry feeding

Current Research in the Upland agro- ecological zone (cont.) Sustainable use of NTFPs and Forest management Participatory management systems of natural forests that ensure short and long-term benefits, Community-based local resource management (Participatory land use planning) Participatory land use planning SALT NTFPs

Current Research priorities in the Upland agro-ecological zone (cont.) Soil improvement and conservation technologies Development of cost effective soil improvement technologies adapting promisingly proved techniques as a base (e.g. adaptation of zero tillage system). Value addition and quality improvement for agri-products Post harvest losses study and development and testing of post-harvesting technologies for important commodities to add value.

Conclusion Agriculture and Forestry Sector still plays crucial roles in socio-economic development, poverty eradication in Laos, NAFRI’s Research have to focus on Food security, increased income and sustainable utilization of natural resources, and supports policy development, Formation of production group and/or Farmers association and support agri-products processing, marketing and linking farmers to appropriate input i.e. banks/credits are key importance for agricultural development in Laos,

Conclusion (cont.) Improve the capacity of local community through technical service centers are an important factor for the dissemination and adoption of technologies and approaches Strongly participation of stakeholders (including govern. and private sectors) are key importance for agricultural development in Laos

Khob chai Thank you