LURAS presentation to 5th SC meet

Presentation to Steering Committee 1

Presentation to LURAS Steering Committee

3rd April 2017


Progress Report

October 2016 to March 2017


Summary of Progress• The past six months has seen the implementation of a number of MTR recommendations:

o Developing a clearer strategic focus for the project; o Undertaking capacity assessment for selected farmer organisations;o Improving the planning process for partnership agreements; o Preparing plans for participatory action research (CLEAR approach);o Undertaking a review of the project’s collaboration with the private sector with regard to the tea

sector in Oudomxay.• An important step towards a clearer strategic focus was the completion of the partnerships

with the DAFOs. It is now possible for LURAS staff to concentrate on a smaller number of priorities.

• Whether the priority is a marketing opportunity (such as organic coffee) or a production problem (such as the misuse of pesticides), LURAS has been able to develop an integrated approach involving a number of partners carrying out different types of activity in a coordinated manner.

• This experience provides a strong foundation for the development of Phase II.


Assessment of Progress• The progress report includes an assessment of progress based

on the log-frame indicators • Each Outcome and Output is rated on a 5-point scale as follows:

0 = Nothing done; 1 = Proposals made, but no practical implementation 2 = Implementation started but limited progress 3 = Steady progress, but less than planned4 = Progressing as planned; on track to achieve targets5 = Logframe targets fully achieved

• Using this scale, the Project Management Team rate the current level of progress as 3.5 (compared to 3.0 in last report)


Outcome 1: Upland small farmers have better agricultural productivity and income through better advisory services

• Selected Outputs:o Studies on tea and cardamom were completed by consultants in

Oudomxay. Recommendations were made on production and marketing, and workplans are now being finalised.

o On-going promotion of sustainable agriculture includes:• Development of agro-forestry coffee in Khoun District• Pilot intercropping of maize in Beng and Houn Districts• The LURAS Detox for maize and vegetable communities in Kham District• Support for the operation of organic market in Oudomxay• Community managed facilities (shade houses, small bridge and irrigation

upgrade) for organic veg groups in both Provinces

• Assessment of Progress: 3.5 (compared to 3.0 in last report)


Outcome 2: Self-determined / independent farmer organisations are providing demand-oriented services to members

• Selected Outputs:o New procedure for assessment of FO capacity was developed and applied

to 5 FOs in Oudomxayo LURAS supported the Lao Farmer Network (LFN) to organise a number of

exchange visits between FOs in 4 provinces . o PAFOs and DAFOs have also organised exchange visits for various farmer

groups, including those involved in water management, cattle fattening, and KKN production.

o The project continues to support the LFN Secretariat. The Network has recently expanded for 16 to 23 organisations

• Assessment of Progress: 3.0 (compared to 2.5 in last report)


Outcome 3: Demand-driven and gender inclusive advisory services are delivered by state and non-state actors

• Selected Outputs:o DAEC organised the first ever nationwide meeting of rice farmers, with

participants from 10 provinces, providing an opportunity to share technical expertise and discuss the challenges they face.

o The first stage of the AGREE scheme for young agripreneurs was completed in collaboration with NAFC and SURAFCO. Plans are now being prepared for a second stage that will assist graduates.

o The development of the MAF gender strategy has now been completed, and with LURAS support the document will be disseminated throughout the country.

o The DAEC website has been completed. Please visit the site at http://daec.maf.gov.la

o Assessment of Progress: 3.0 (compared to 3.0 in last report)

http://daec.maf.gov.la/




Outcome 4: The policy framework is more conducive for integration of smallholder farmers into value chains

• Selected Outputs:o A meeting of the Sub-Sector Working Group on Farmers and Agribusiness

(SSWG-FAB) took place in Feb ‘17. The agenda included presentations on the Cardamom study and the AGREE scheme.

o The LaoFAB information service celebrated 10 years of operation. There are now nearly 4,500 members of the discussion group who have posted more thn 25,000 message. The online library contains 2,650 documents.

o An NGO task force – initiated by LURAS advisers – has now produced a voluntary code of practice for agribusiness. This will be tested as part of private sector engagement in the months ahead.

o A number of information materials have been produced relating to the misuse of pesticides, including a policy brief that was distributed a various national meetings

o Assessment of Progress: 4.0 (compared to 4.0 in last report)


Project Highlights


Coffee development in Xieng Khouang

o Market linkages (partnership with Café Meuang Xieng / Saffron)

o Increased production (nurseries to expand area, and F2F training)

o Improved processing (planning and negotiation for establishing the Keoseth Community Coffee Centre – K3C)

• LURAS is taking a systemic approach to the development of coffee farming in XK.

• At the time of the previous SC meeting, a study had been completed and a consultant was being hired.

• Since then, activities have focussed on 3 areas:


Coffee development in Xieng Khouang• Farmer-to-farmer training has involved exchanges with the Coffee

Producers Cooperative from the Bolaven Plateau.

Learning correct Pruning

Preparing a coffee nursery


Coffee development in Xieng Khouang

• Farmer groups are easy to create, but difficult to work effectively. The establishment of the K3C wet-processing centre has been delayed because community members cannot yet agree on the allocation of the land and water.

• Also, the role of group leaders needs to be improved. Sometimes they use market linkages for their own benefit. They also attend training but do not pass on what they learn.

• Building trust, ownership and accountability takes time. The LURAS team and PAFO, is taking a long-term approach, and emphasising the importance of good communication among all the coffee stakeholders.

• Organisational development is just as important as production and marketing... and may be our biggest challenge!


Tea development in Oudomxay• In collaboration with PAFO Oudomxay, the LURAS team

identified forest tea as having a high market potential. In 2016, LURAS signed agreements with two tea companies, however a number of concerns were soon identified.

• The MTR recommended: For the Forest Tea in Oudomxay, LURAS should carry out an assessment of community based natural resource management to understand customary tenurial arrangements, ecological impacts of the tea collection on the forest as a whole (and other NTFPs) as well as arrangement for benefit sharing and management amongst the villagers.

• This study was carried out in February by a team of two consultants


Tea development in Oudomxay• An interesting finding is that there are

three production systems. The most promising is cultivation of tea in fallow land of upland rice, by pruning old trees.

• The consultants have made 13 recommendations (see handout), including:o capacity building for producer groupso register the rights to use land and own

treeso establish a provincial task forceo develop a ‘tea sector roadmap’


Tea development in Oudomxay• The consultants confirmed the market

potential for forest tea, but noted the weak bargaining position of small producers.

• The findings state “The current business model is dominated by the traders, prices paid to primary producers are low and do not provide a fair compensation”

• To improve the bargaining position, the province should consider : o “more equally informed negotiation

processes between stakeholders” o “better alternatives to the present quota

system”


National meeting of rice farmers• Farmers Exchange on Rice

Production and Expansion of Lessons Learnt

• The meeting was organized during 24-25 November 2016

• Total participants 86 people • The meeting was chaired by the

Minister of MAF, H.E. Mr Lien Thikeo• The Lao Farmers Network was

represented by Mr Khamoun• 4 progressive farmers were invited to

present their experiences on rice production


National meeting of rice farmersFour topics presented by farmers1. Dry direct dropping from

Savannakhet2. Wet direct dropping from

Xayyabouly3. Dry broadcasting from Khammouan4. Rice production through machinery

or mechanic


Example: Mr. Khammoun, the president of LFN presented his experience on using machinery in rice production, from seed to harvest


National meeting of rice farmers• The farmers came from 10 provinces where the Govt is targeting food security and

commodity production. • Participants had a chance to gain new knowledge, exchange experience from

different part of the country and network among themselves• They also had an opportunity to present their experiences directly to the MAF’s

leader.• It was the first time that rice farmers have a chance to talk directly to all concerned

technical department like DALAM, NAFRI, DOA and DAEC • All participants understood that rice production is not easy, and the best method in

one area can’t apply to other locations because many factors related such as seed, land, water supply and infrastructure

• The participants also learned about a) the standards and process for sending rice to China from DoA; b) an update on the agriculture land survey across the country from DALAM; c) rice seed information from NAFRI.


National meeting of rice farmers

Participants also had a chance to visit the the

Setha Vangso Farm


Let’s AGREE!• AGREE stands for ‘Agripreneurs for Green Rural

Enterprises and Economy’ • AGREE is a scheme for young entrepreneurs at the

Northern Agriculture and Forestry College in LPB• AGREE is supported by LURAS and SURAFCO• Activities to date (sub-contracted to EDC):

o Weekend workshops on business planningo The first AGREE competition

• LURAS is currently making plans to support some of the AGREE finalists after graduation. This could include..o Cash grantso Advanced trainingo Mentoring visits o A business advice hotlineo An online support group


• The first stage of AGREE started with 52 proposals in October and ended with 12 teams who presented their business ideas to a panel of judges on 21st January.

• The prototype products included out-of-season limes, frozen frogs legs, vermi-compost, ornamental plants, egg trays made from recycled paper... and more

Let’s AGREE!


• The panel of judges consisted of prominent people from the public and private sector in Luang Prabang

• They awarded first prize of 6.5 million kip to three students who developed a plan for processing and marketing a herbal tea made from the flower of the butterfly pea (dok angsan).

• What impressed the panel was the prototype packaging, the financial calculations, and the confidence of the students.

Let’s AGREE!


Priorities for next period


Priorities until end of Phase I• Based on progress to date, the following priorities are proposed for the next

nine months (i.e. until operational completion of Phase 1) :o Follow-up on the recommendations of the strategy studies for tea and

cardamom in Oudomxayo Continue to support the development of the coffee value chain in Khoun

District of Xieng Khouango Provide financial and technical support to other activities planned and

managed by PAFOs in Oudomxay and Xieng Khuang, including:• Applying the EMRIP approach to Khao Kai Noi (KKN) rice, and market

development for Phousan tea in Xieng Khouang• Organic vegetable marketing and scaling-up improved pig feeding in Oudomxay

o Complete construction of two community managed facilities that will expedite expanded production and marketing of vegetables


Priorities until end of Phase I, continuedo Support community-led extension and action research (CLEAR) in selected

communities, arising from the Beneficiary Assessment and the Detox process.o Finalise plans for stage 2 of the AGREE scheme for young agripreneurs, and

support the start up of micro-enterprises by a small number of NAFC graduates.

o Support the process for planning Phase II of LURAS, to start in December 2017

o Continue to promote policy dialogue and information sharing relating to farmers and agribusiness.


Thank You!


Proposed priorities for Phase II


We can do better in the future!• The MTR recommended that the project should develop a clearer

strategic focus, “This would help link activities and build more coherence between different partners and their proposals”.

• Why does the project need a clearer focus?

Too much of this

Not enough of this


We need more of a systemic approachPiecemeal Linear Systemic

Planning based on pre-conceived ideas of what needs to be done

No connection between different interventions No testing of assumptions, no lessons learned Limited interaction among stakeholders

Impact at Activity Level

Planning to address symptoms of a problem, or short-term opportunity The relationship between interventions is pre-determined

No testing of assumptions, limited lessons learned Some coordination among stakeholders, but ownership is limited

Impact at Output Level

Planning to understand and address underlying causes, or longer-term opportunities Feedback loops allow for iterative decision-making and emergent plans Action research to explore different options; new knowledge is generated Dynamic relationships between stakeholders; a learning alliance created

Impact at Outcome Level

✔✗ ✗


Example – the LURAS Detox


What type of systems should we focus on?• The extension system in too large and complex for a single

project to focus on. LURAS needs to focus on extension for something.

• The government is now promoting green development in the 8th NESDP

• The MAF vision includes “developing clean, safe and sustainable agriculture”

• Extension has a key role to play in promoting sustainability:o sustainable farming practices o sustainable market engagemento sustainable rural livelihoods


Proposed priority 1 – farming systems

• LURAS can promote sustainable farming systems through an extension strategy that is both proactive and reactive


Proposed priority 2 – marketing systems

• LURAS can support market systems development in a manner that brings greater income benefits to communities, not just companies


Proposed priority 3 – social systems

• LURAS can give greater attention to the next generation of farmers whose attitudes, knowledge and skills are crucial for the long-term viability of smallholder farming


The emerging strategic focus is ....

Green Extension


Discussion questions• Based on the current policy of the Government and the

experience of LURAS in Phase I, do the members of the Steering Committee think Green Extension is a relevant and feasible goal for the next phase?

• Specifically, does a focus on sustainability represent a suitable strategy for LURAS, if the project applied a systemic approach to promoting...o Sustainable farming practices?o Sustainable market systems?o Sustainable rural livelihoods?


Thank You!

Government & Nonprofit

LURAS presentation to 5th SC meet