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!