This document summarizes the SRI-LMB project in Laos, which aims to increase crop yields and productivity for smallholder farmers in a sustainable manner. Funded by the EU and implemented by partners, the project trains farmers in SRI and FFS principles. It established sites in 3 provinces to experiment and train other farmers. Results from 2015-2017 showed SRI yielding higher than conventional practices, with more tillers and grains per panicle. Lessons included improving coordination, capacity building, and assisting with mechanization and integrated pest management. Moving forward, the project aims to scale up to more districts and provinces, establish farmer groups, and link SRI to seed production, agriculture centers, and markets.

1. SRI-LMB in Laos
This project is funded by the
European Union
Presented by: Viengxay Photakoun and Kongsy Xayavong
from DTEAP, MAF Laos.
Final Workshop on SRI-LMB 2018
1st - 2nd November 2018, NOVOTEL BANGKOK SUKUMVIT 20
Thailand.
Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry
A project implemented by the Asian
Institute of Technology

2. Objectives
The SRI- LMB project is increase
crop yield, productivity and
Profitability of the smallholders
in rainfed areas of Lower
Mekong Basin region on a
sustainable basis. This is
expected to contribute to
their resilience to climate
change and food security.

3. Project Approach
• The project approach is based on the principles of SRI and Farmer
Field School (FFS). The initial group of district and farmer trainers (FTs)
were trained on experimenting with SRI at provincial level at the
Central Farmer Participatory Action Research(CFPAR)sites.
They in turn conducted training for other farmers and led
experimentation centered on local-specific problems at the Farmer
Participatory Action Research (FPAR)sites in various districts.

4. Project sites
Three provinces were
selected
 Vientiane Province:
VangVieng, Feuang and
Meun districts
 Khammouan: Nakay,
Ghommalath and Mahaxay
districts
 Savannaketh: Xonabouly,
Champhone and
Songkhone districts
CFPAR plot in
Savannakhet
province
CFPAR plot in
Khammouan
province
CFPAR plot in
Vientiane
province

5. Activities completed
 Conduct Inception Workshop in Thalath, Keooudom district, VTP (June
2014).
 Baseline survey (2014)
 Provided 3 Training Courses (CFPARs) (Dry and Wet Season 2015)
 82 FPARs for three provinces (wet season 2015 (28)-2016 (28+18 =
46+36=82)
 Monitoring and Evaluation FPAR activities (wet season 2015-2016)
 Reporting and entry of data in data base for FPAR (2017)
 Organized 3 Provincial Workshops (July 2018).
 Organized 1 National Workshop (Vientiane, 03st August, 2018)

6. 3 CFPAR in 2015
(4 stages, 2 days)
TOT
Transplan-
ting Stage
1
Tillering
Stage
2
Flowering
Stage
3
Harvesting
Stage
4

7. CFPAR implementation
10 Farmers/
District
CFPAR
10 Farmers/
District
10 Farmers/
District

8. FPARs scaling out
District
1st FPAR
2 FT
2nd FPAR
2 FT
3rd FPAR
2 FT
4th FPAR
2 FT
1st FPAR
2 FT
2nd FPAR
2 FT
3rd FPAR
2 FT
4th FPAR
2 FT
5th FPAR
2 FT
6th FPAR
2 FT
7th FPAR
2 FT
8th FPAR
2 FT
2015
28
FPAR
In 2016 a New 18 FPAR + 28 FPAR in 2015 +36 FPAR 2017 = 82 FPAR.

9. Number of FPARs and Farmers Reached 2015 to 2017
2015
2016
2017
28 FPAR
718 pp women
380pp
46 FPAR
1,227 pp and
women 628pp
82 FPAR
2,134 pp and
women
1,165 pp

10. To compare yield from 2015 to 2017
No Province
2015(t/
ha)
2016(t/h
a)
2017(t
/ha)
1
Vientiane
province 5,200 4,600 4,444
2
Khammoaun
province 4,100 4,500 4,040
3
Savannakhet
province 4,400 4,100 3,924
-
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
1 Vientiane
province
2 Khammoaun
province
3 Savannakhet
province
Compare yield from 2015 to 2017

11. To compare yield
No Province SRI(t/ha) FP(t/ha)
1
Vientiane
province 4,444 3,219
2
Khammoaun
province 4,040 2,634
3
Savannakhet
province 3,924 2,837
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
Vientiane
province
Khammoaun
province
Savannakhet
province
1 2 3
SRI(t/ha)
FP(t/ha)
Compare yield from 2017

12. To compare number of tiller per square
meter
No Province
SRI(No of
tiller/Sq.mete
r)
FP(No of
tiller/
Sq.meter)
1
Vientiane
province 163 126
2
Khammoau
n province
147 122
3
Savannakh
et province
147 121
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Vientiane
province
Khammoaun
province
Savannakhet
province
1 2 3
SRI(No of
tiller/Sq.meter)
FP(No of
tiller/Sq.meter)
Compare number of tiller per square meter

13. To compare number of No.of grain per panicle
No Province
SRI(No.of
grain/panicl
e)
FP(No.of
grain/panicle)
1
Vientiane
province 127 123
2
Khammoaun
province
124 110
3
Savannakhet
province 124 116
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
Vientiane
province
Khammoaun
province
Savannakhet
province
1 2 3
SRI(No.of
grain/panicle)
FP(No.of
grain/panicle)
Compare number of gains per panicle

14. FPAR in 2017 in Pakpor, Village VangVieng
District, Vientiane Province

15. The PMU should prepare activity work plans well in advance and communicate
these to all project partners promptly for the necessary technical review and
administrative action.
 Improving cooperation and communication between PCU, PMU, LMU, FAO in
BKK and AIT is essential.
 Capacity building of various stakeholders involved in field activities is essential.
 Organizing provincial workshop and training to exchange knowledge and
experiences.
 It is essential to deliver technical support for managing the snail in rice fields,
preferably based on good IPM practices.
Key lessons Learnt

16. Key lessons Learnt (cont..)
 Some farmers’ experiences more weed problems in their SRI Rice
fields. Since there were no rains after transplanting, it was difficult to
manage weeds. Families where men migrated for employment faced
labor shortage, which also affected weed management.
 in 2018 Mr. Saly in Muangkai village head of the Farmer group
he said that he used SRI principle and he used young seedling
7-10 days to transplant rice, he observed that during
the tillering stags this approach more tillers than
seedling 14 days.

17. Key lessons Learnt (Cont..)
 Weeds control, snails control, Pest and disease control by using IPM
 Using young seedlings, single seedling and wider spacing during
transplanting and drained water out for two weeks during vegetative
growth stage can provide yield advantage in rice cultivation.

18. Farmer’s experience for Snails Control

19. Weeds control

20. Recommendation for future activities
 Providing assistance for farm mechanization, by conducting trials
exploring direct-seeded and/or single seedling transplants and weed
management can help families deal with labour shortage; this
especially will be useful for those families where male members
migrate away from their farms in search of employment.
 In Vientiane province the farmers adopted SRI practices without
chemical fertilizer and pesticide usage. We can promote organic rice
farming by using SRI principle and FFS among these farmers and link
them with organic produce markets as to avail of premium prices
and to enhance their incomes.

21. Recommendation for future activities (cont.)
 SRI practices should be integrated with duck and fish rearing in
order to increase rice yields and incomes. The design of the rice-
fish farms should allow for regular draining of fields for purposes
of creating alternate wet and dry conditions, as key SRI practice
to promote soil and crop health.
 SRI practice is also suitable for rice seed production. For
example in Songkhone and Xonaboouly districts the Farmer
Trainers have experienced.

22. Work plan for the year 2018
 Monitoring FPAR implementation activities by Farmer Trainers and
DAFO.
 Facilitate exchange of experiences between and among FPAR farmers.
 Field day within district and cross visits for FPAR district to district..
 Develop curriculum on SRI-LMB in Laos (Hand Books, Posters, case
studies VDO,….(tentative, pending confirmation of available budget)
 Completed FPAR Report for 2017 (November-December 2017).
 Completed Provincial Workshop of the SRI-LMB 2018
 Completed National Workshop of the SRI-LMB 2018

23. Scaling out the impact of the SRI-LMB
 We will continue to use SRI principle, FFS, working closely with PAFO, DAFO
and we will establish Farmer Organization (FOs) farmer
groups link to Lao Farmer Network (LFN). We will continue to Build
Capacity of the Farmer Trainers in each district.
 In Vientiane province and Savannakhet the Farmer trainers will
continue to use SRI-LMB approach for rice seed production.
 In Khammouane province especially Nakai district will continue to
use SRI-LMB approach to expand to the new zone where there
resettlements areas the farmers have less land only 0,3-0,5 ha per
family. They need rice for their consumption.

24. Linking FPAR,FG to Agriculture Development
Centre
FPAR ,FOs
DAFO, PAFOADC

25. Propose in the next phase.
 The provincial coordinator request the EU,AIT, FAO and FAO IPM
continue to support fund in order to scaling out the impact of the SRI-
LMB to other district.
 On behalf of the PMU I would like to request the EU,AIT, FAO and
FAO IPM continue to support fund, because we plan to scaling out to
Northern Provinces where the less land. For example: Xiengkhuang,
Houaphane, Luangprabang and other.

26. Introduced SRI –LMB approach to Namor
District, Oudomxay Province.

27. Provincial workshop picture in July 2018)

28. Thank you