Agriculture Policy Researches

1. Agriculture Policy Researches Sub-Sector Working Group Uplands Development (SSWGUp) 24 June 2014

2. Research channels • Policy Think Thank • AGRI-NET (Open call, LARF-NUDP, VIP) • LARF • Others…

3. Challenges • Lack of infrastructure and facilities for some basic research, • Limitation of technical specialist, to ensure the quality of research • A lot of uplands research done and on-going but not systematically disseminated • Upland research scattered and not coordinated especially with PRC • Research rarely presents clear policy recommendations for policy makers However, with an assistance from NUDP and Policy Think Tank Together we can!

4. Upland research

5. Upland research (NUDP) • Food security and nutrition in NU of Lao PDR: case studies in upland areas of LPQ, HP, PSL • Collection of data on gender issues and information about gender discrimination in agriculture and forestry in 6 provinces • Shifting cultivation in Laos: transition in policy and perspective • Cash crop production: case study of smallholder corn production and its impact on rice sufficiency • Role of rural women in the income generation through livestock production and trade in Luangprabang province, northern of Lao PDR

6. Synthesis of policy recommendations on food and nutrition security • Nearly all commercial crops are grown for domestic and export markets. Few are grown for local human consumption. • Consequently, the contribution that cash crops make to food security arises from their impact on income. However, it needs more: • Measures for price stability, especially in the corn market. • Measures and mechanism to stabilize the rice supply.

7. Synthesis of policy recommendations on food and nutrition security • Promote the consumption of diversified foods rather than one or two food items. • Provide incentives for the rearing of livestock and food crops (vegetables). • Adequate education on the nutritional contents of different food items and requisite cooking practices. • Activities that address malnutrition should take into consideration differences across ethnic groups for specific nutritional outcomes.

8. Synthesis of policy recommendations on agriculture commercialization • FOs should be promoted and facilitate access to markets for smallholder farmers. • Ensure agriculture production (ensure supply side in term of quantity and quality (2Q) to meet the demand) • Support establishment of local markets. • DAFO should facilitate win-win contract farming.

9. Synthesis of policy recommendations on shifting cultivation • Link reduced shifting cultivation with food security and economic growth by making sustainable alternative livelihoods available. • Rotational upland rice cultivation is acceptable, unless other rotating with other crops is possible. • Stabilization of shifting cultivation in agreed designated areas is preferred over eradication. • Policies to regulate shifting cultivation should depend on the local physical area.

10. Synthesis of policy recommendations on land administration and management • Land concessions should ensure benefits to famers in the vicinity of concession areas and should not impact on farmers’ agriculture lands • Agricultural concession periods should depend on plantation (e.g., rubber 35 yr.) • Any land reallocation in the village should give priority to families with less land • Land certificates should be issued to all land occupants

11. Synthesis of policy recommendations on gender mainstreaming in agriculture • Additional training is needed at all levels of government on the perception of the significance of gender issues in terms of agriculture development • Women should be provided with equal opportunities for developing their skills • Women should be involved in decision- making processes

12. Synthesis of policy recommendations on sustainable natural resources management • Natural resources and local environments should be conserved to maintain crop yields • Regulations should be reviewed to improve management and collection of NTFPs

13. Thank you