What is the project about?

The overall goal of this project is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity resources in agro-ecosystems in Lao PDR. Achieving this will help to realise food security and sustainable economic development. Farmers will be provided with the necessary incentives, capabilities and supporting institutional framework to conserve agricultural biodiversity within farming systems across the country.

The project, implemented by UNDP, with  technical assistance by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will strengthen the technical and institutional capacity to assist the Lao People's Democratic Republic in mainstreaming climate change concerns into sectoral and national development priorities, including the Eighth National Socio-Economic Development Plan.

What have we accomplished so far?

• Lao PDR’s National Plan and strategy development now systematically incorporates agro-biodiversity conservation. 
• Reached 30 government staff members who participated in the ‘Agro-Biodiversity Project On-the-Job Training’, resulting in increased capacity and ability to educate others on sustainable and profitable farming. 
• Built capacity and understanding of native rice based ecosystem farming and integrated pest management with 35 trainers who now have access to over 50 technical training modules.
• Improved livelihoods of 255 farmers and their families in Phonexay District (Luangprabang Province) and Phoukot District (Xiengkouang Province) through vegetable-based ecosystems Farmers’ Field Schools. At the end of the training, the farmers transferred their new knowledge to 186 neighboring villagers at the ‘Farmers Field Day’. 
• Trained over 174 school students on preparing organic fertilizers and  bio-insecticides as well as mixed cropping, students now have use of the 17 project practice sites for vegetable farming.
• Supported farmers in five villages in producing organic native rice and assisting in obtaining certification resulting in higher income per kilo of rice.
• Began surveys on identification of edible and poisonous wild mushrooms which will contribute to sustainable harvests, market information and species identification. 
• Provided local knowledge on wild, edible vegetables, leading to the domestication and conservation of a threatened forest tree (Melientha).

Project documents:

• Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Lao PDR's Agricultural and Land Management Policies, Plans and Programme

• UNDP Lao PDR ABP Project Brief