.:: Lao Knowledge Base on Conservation Agriculture ::.
Lao PDR
Lao Extension Featured
At this website you can find out what the Government and its development partners are doing to support the efforts of farmers in the Lao PDR. Farming families make up about 80% of the population and agricultural production accounts for half of the national economy. Farmers also play an important role in the management of natural resources, including forests that cover 47% of the country. The well-being of the country depends on the ability of farming men and women to solve their problems, improve production and overcome poverty. It is the job of extension organisations and projects to support the efforts of farmers in achieving these goals.
NAFRI - NAFES Featured
Effective linkages among stakeholders in the agricultural sector are necessary to bring about greater productivity and better livelihoods of rural people. The linkages between extension, research and farmers are especially important. Creating and maintaining these linkages has been a problem in many countries. In Laos , the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is committed to making sure that research and extension organisations are working together in an effective manner. In this respect, the most important organisations under MAF are the National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES) and the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institution (NAFRI). In November 2005, NAFES and NAFRI organised a joint workshop to discuss the issue of linkages. A number of practical recommendations came out of the workshop, including the creation of a joint working group on Agricultural Information Management (AIM). At this website you can download the presentations made at the Research-Extension L ...
Read More...
Agroenterprise development Featured
The tropics possess great wealth in raw materials that have potential demand in local and international markets. Changes in market trends and consumption habits are creating niches for exotic fruits, nuts, medicinal plants, and organic raw materials such as essential oils, natural colorings, spices, and tannins. New opportunities (including new products) have also arisen for traditional commodities such as cassava, sugarcane, and livestock, and for local seed production. However, small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs face numerous barriers to taking full advantage of these marketing opportunities: unfavorable economic models and policies; lack of business experience; ignorance of technologies, markets, and prices; and little support in terms of training, advisory services, and credit. The challenge for CIAT's program in agroenterprise development is to link small farmers to expanding markets so they can develop sustainable livelihoods in the rural sector.
LaoFab Document Repository Featured
This is the document repository for the google group LaoFAB. LaoFAB is a forum for sharing information about Farmers and AgriBusiness in Laos. Members include Government officials, staff of donor agencies and NGOs, project experts, academics and business people.
| © 2009 ORCATAD Project, Nafri Organization |  |
 |
 |