The development of agriculture extension in Lao PDR
Andrew Bartlett
LEAP Lessons Learned and Closing Workshop
8th May 2014
Overview The changing context in Laos Changing need for services Looking ahead – the future of extension
Changing patterns of poverty
Changing access to land
Changing access to markets
Changing access to technology
Changing access to information
A new rural economy –Foreign plantations
A new rural economy –Local entrepreneurs
A new rural economy –Land leasing
A new rural economy –Contract farming
A new rural economy –Farmer organisations
A new rural economy –Less dependence on agric sector
A new policy framework
Prime Ministerial Decrees:Village Clusters, PM/13, 2008Land Leases or Concession, PM/135, 2009Associations, PM/115, 2009Cooperatives, PM/136, 2010Standards for Poverty Reduction, PM/201, 2012MAF organisation and functions, PM/262, 2012
A new policy framework
Strategy for Agricultural Development, 2011 to 2020 “The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) will transition from being a provider of public services to a regulator of private sector involvement in service provision and facilitator of emerging new service providers; also by devolving gradually the provision of services to farmer organizations.
Public services that are no longer needed –instructing villagers
Public services that are no longer needed –promoting basic techniques
Public services that are no longer needed –distributing inputs
Areas where better services are needed –Organisational development
Areas where better services are needed –Business development
Areas where better services are needed –Environmental sustainability
Areas where better services are needed –Food security for vulnerable groups
Looking ahead Known trends, uncertain impacts:
Regional market integration Outflow of rural labour Expansion of ITC
Unknown trends, potentially scary impacts: Climate change Commodity and currency markets Regional political stability
ConclusionsThe context for agricultural extension in Laos is very
different from 15 years ago… and continues to change in ways that are not fully predictable.
Consequently, resilience must be a goal in supporting farming communities that face an unknown future
3 factors that contribute to resilience… Diversity eg. in production systems and marketing Knowledge eg. techniques & prices, rights & resources Organisation eg. groups, associations and networks
ConclusionsWhat are the implications for the future of agricultural
extension services in Laos?Resilience is unlikely to be achieved by creating more
production targets, commodity zones and model farmers
Instead, what is needed are… Pluralism: providing farmers with choices Flexibility: responding to changing needs Facilitation: helping farmers to help each other
The key word is services
Thank you!