Lao PDR

Lao PDR, a country in Southeast Asia, is characterized by a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Agriculture is a significant part of the country’s economy, with rice as the primary crop, making the sector crucial for food security and rural livelihoods. The country’s reliance on rain-fed irrigation systems, coupled with increasing climate variability, presents challenges for water management and agricultural productivity.

Approximately 70% of the population is engaged in agriculture, yet inefficient irrigation practices and the need for improved water resource management remain key barriers to sustainable growth. The development of climate-resilient agricultural practices and efficient irrigation systems is crucial for addressing both food security and economic growth in the country.

IWMI in Lao PDR

By means of the Stakeholder Forum of the Sub-sector Working Group on Irrigation (SSWG-IR), IWMI has engaged stakeholders to improve irrigation practices, including exploring opportunities for solar-powered irrigation systems to address water scarcity and energy constraints. IWMI research also promotes integrated rice-fish farming as a sustainable agricultural practice, working on policy engagements to support its adoption across the country.

In addition, our regional workshops on agribusiness public-private partnerships aim to foster collaboration among stakeholders in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam to strengthen agricultural value chains. Through these efforts, IWMI is supporting Lao PDR’s transition to more sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural systems that improve livelihoods and enhance food security.

Country representative

Mark Dubois

Country Representative – Lao & Regional Representative – South East Asia

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Latest Lao PDR publications

Displaying 4 publications

Sustainable water management: community-managed solar groundwater in Laos
2024
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Agroecology / Sustainability / Household consumption / Vegetables / Cash crops / Solar powered irrigation systems / Dry season / Surface water / Women / Rural communities / Water scarcity / Water resources / Water management / Groundwater
Record No:H053245

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Stakeholder Forum of the Sub-sector Working Group on Irrigation (SSWG-IR): the opportunities for solar-powered irrigation in Lao PDR. Report of the Second Semiannual Stakeholder Forum of the Sub-sector Working Group on Irrigation (SSWG-IR), Vientiane, Lao PDR, 14 October 2024
2024
More... | Fulltext (1.58 MB)

This report summarizes the 2024 second semiannual Stakeholder Forum of the Sub-sector Working Group on Irrigation (SSWG-IR), held in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, on October 14, 2024. Organized by the Department of Irrigation (DOI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the forum gathered over 80 participants from government, academia, development organizations, farmer groups, and enterprises. The forum’s main objective was to facilitate discussions on solar-powered irrigation opportunities in Lao PDR. It also presented policy frameworks for irrigation development from 2026 to 2030, seeking initial feedback to shape the upcoming Irrigation Development Master Plan. Discussions emphasized solar-powered irrigation as a climate-resilient, cost-effective option for areas without grid electricity, with benefits for dry-season agriculture, food security, and organic farming.

Cooperation / Food security / Policies / Stakeholders / Groundwater irrigation / Solar powered irrigation systems / Irrigation development
Record No:H053267

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Introducing integrated rice-fish farming in Lao PDR: policy engagements
2024
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This report outlines policies and recommended policy engagements to promote agroecology practices in food production systems in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Literature reviews and field consultation visits were used to collect data on factors and challenges influencing the integrated rice-fish farming practices by farmer households and policy engagements to enhance their local potential and address challenges that may prevent further expansion and sustainable practices. The study found ‘good progress’ in terms of policy and institutional framework, facilitating a gradual transition from conventional farming practice to agroecology into food production systems, although there are some implementation gaps. To facilitate the transition toward improved agricultural practices, the following policy engagements are recommended: ; Conduct regular recognition programs and knowledge dissemination events such as farmer-to-farmer peer learning support households in influencing uptake or scaling and farmer-led hatchery learning. ; Use evidence-based costs and benefits of the rice-fish farmer field trials in policy research. ; Conduct policy research to identify factors enabling integrated fish production in rice fields during dry seasons when many households experience lower production. Some incentives were outlined in the National Policy on the Promotion of Livestock and Aquatic Animal Production. ; Continuing to involve policymakers from sectors in the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative to maintain policy support for agroecological farming practices in the community and further expansions across the country.

Villages / Households / Institutions / Farmers / Sustainability / Agricultural practices / Food production / Agroecology / Policies / Fish culture / Ricefield aquaculture
Record No:H053000

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Regional Workshop on Agribusiness Public-Private Partnerships in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Report of the Regional Workshop on Agribusiness Public-Private Partnerships in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam, Luangprabang, Lao PDR, 15-16 March 2024
2024
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This report documents the regional workshop on agribusiness public-private partnership (agriPPP), organized in Luangprabang, Laos, from 15–16 March 2024, with 47 participants from Cambodia, Vietnam and Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The event was hosted by the Policy Think Tank (PTT) initiative of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The event was supported by a funded project of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS) via the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The overall goal of the workshop was to strengthen effective practices in Agri-PPPs through promoting evidence-based policy formulation practices in the Mekong region. Key specific objectives for the case of Lao PDR were to a) contribute to a consultative process for agribusiness policy development in Lao PDR and b) share practices, experiences and lessons learned on different forms of the Public-Private Partnerships towards sustainable agribusiness practices. This event comprised of a one-day consultation meeting and a half-field visit on the following day. Key sessions of the consultation meeting included a panellist discussion, presentations and discussions.

Rice / Cattle / Cassava / Rubber / Case studies / Communities / Farmers organizations / Public-private cooperation / Policies / Public-private partnerships / Agribusiness
Record No:H052861

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