The Lao Uplands Rural Advisory Services

Project

An Introduction

Project Framework

Project Agreement signed by MAF and SDC, on 17 Dec 2014

Phase I duration: 3 years (Dec’14 - Dec’17)Budget: 5 million Swiss Francs ($5.3 mill)Implementing responsibility:

Govt: Department of Agric Extension and Cooperatives (DAEC)

Donor: Helvetas + SNV

BackgroundThe rural economy of Laos is undergoing a

transformation from subsistence to commercial agriculture

Small farmers are faced with many new problems and opportunities, and are in need of better services to help them cope with the challenges

Projects such as LEAP helped to develop approaches and capacity for service delivery, but faced challenges in terms of the efficiency and sustainability

New approaches are now needed, with a stronger focus on the role of farmer organisations and the private sector

Development GoalAn effective, demand-driven pluralistic extension

service delivery system (which involves various providers, including self-determined and independent farmer organisations) has been established to support gender-inclusive agricultural value chains, which improve upland farmer’s food security, opportunities and incomes.

Outcomes

1Upland small farmers have better agricultural productivity and income2Independent farmers’ organisations are providing demand- oriented services to members. 3Demand-driven and gender inclusive advisory services are delivered by state and non-state actors4The policy framework is more conducive for integration of smallholder farmers into value chains

Impact pathway

Management

Location

The project management team will be based in Vientiane

The advisers at national level (PFT) will be based in the Helvetas office, but maintain regular contact with DAEC

In Phase 1, field activities will take place in two provinces: Xieng Khuang and Oudomxay

Each province will have a fulltime project adviser, with support staff

Partners

DAEC, PAECs and DAFOsMAF-DAW, NAFRI,NUOL-FAU, Ag CollegesNational Farmers Association and FOsNPAs: CLICK, GDA and SAEDAPrivate sector t.b.dSector Working Group and SWGABOther upland agric projects eg. NUDP and

SSSJ

Farmer OrganisationsThe empowerment of smallholder farmers is at the

heart of the project. Farmer Organisations are the most important means for achieving this.

FOs help farmers to… Learn from each other Gain access to services Have a stronger voice Coordinate market activity Get a fairer price Make their own plans Manage shared facilities Engage in project activities

Capacity building

Improving the capacity of rural communities is the priority for LURAS.

This will involves… Capacity building for individual FOs Capacity building for the Lao Farmer Network Support for service providers who are helping

build farmer capacity (state and non-state) Strengthening DAEC capacity to perform its

function as a facilitator for FO development

Strategic considerations The project document gives 9 strategic considerations:

Providing women and men small farmers with greater voice and choice

Facilitating cooperation among RAS service providers Improving value chain governance Applying a pluralistic approach to both service delivery and

technical assistance Putting values into practice ‘Rural Advisory Services for everyone’ – gender and social

inclusion Knowing what works and what doesn’t Tackling sustainability of service provision from the outset Prioritising the resilience of smallholder farming systems

The Lao Uplands Rural Advisory Services

Project

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