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FAO introduced the Farmer Field School approach in Laos in 1996 through the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme to support the development of pest management for rice and vegetables. The approach uses experimental learning to help farmers make decisions and find answers for themselves. In recent years, the programme has also helped Lao farmers manage pests and diseases of fruit, coconut and cassava. Today, FAO continues to support national IPM programmes within the context of a long-term regional programme to strengthen agrochemical management in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Since the launch of the IPM programme, some 24,000 farmers, including 3,401 women, from 801 communities in nine provinces – Vientiane Capital, Bokeo, Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Phongsali, Xayabouly, Xieng Khouang and Vientiane Province – have been trained and developed community action plans to reduce risks from pesticides.
Environmentally sustainable agricultural practices not only help Lao farmers increase their incomes, they also produce healthier crops for consumers and their families.
Khamphou Phanthaboun, a farmer in Nonetae village, Xaythany district, 20 km south of Vientiane, relied heavily on pesticides to grow vegetables in the mid-1990s, but even so, he still struggled to make a living from his vegetable farm. He could only grow one type of vegetable and had to rely on middlemen to buy his vegetables at low prices.
Raising five children without a higher education was no easy task. Like most Laotians, Khamphou and his wife made their living mainly from agriculture.
In 1998, Khamphou joined a farmer field school in his community. For the first time, he learned the ins and outs of how to grow healthy crops: “Since I joined the program, I know how to rotate crops. I learned about the life cycle of pests and how to identify them. I learned new skills and techniques to manage them while avoiding the use of chemicals,” Khamphou said.
After completing his training, he went on to grow a variety of vegetables, including lettuce, cabbage, beets and celery, and practice crop rotation: “These gave me higher yields and, for the first time ever, I was no longer in debt,” he adds.
Sounan Heuangpaseuth is another farmer from Donxingxu village in Vientiane who joined the program in the early 2000s.Farmer Field School) is perfect for me. I learnt how to grow crops, monitor and manage pests. I also now know how to make organic compost from animal manure and herbal pesticides. Pesticides are the last resort,” explains Sonam.
With his expertise in agriculture, he can produce safe vegetables for market and increase yields. He now grows white eggplants and betel leaves for sale in Europe. On 1,600 square meters of land, he earns a steady income of more than 5 million kip per month. Sounan still uses chemicals, but in minimal quantities, to ensure his produce complies with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), which address the environmental, economic and social sustainability of farm production processes and produce safe and high-quality food and non-food agricultural products. As a result, his white eggplants are eligible for export to Europe.
Khamphou, who developed his technical skills through a Farmer Field School program, joined an organic farming program and now firmly believes that organic farming can bring him a better income and healthier products. He is also the head of an organic farmer group and a member of the committee that manages Vientiane’s thriving That Louang organic market.
Like Sunan and Kamphu, many farmers who participated in FAO’s Farmer Field Schools (FFS) programmes have become aware of the harm caused by pesticides and have decided to reduce or stop using them.
“Before, I had no idea how to use chemicals – so I always used them. I often had headaches, dizziness and fatigue,” Khamphou said. “Following good agricultural practices helps everyone and is also good for the environment. We all depend on each other,” he explained.
During the month-long training, Khamphou and Sounan were also trained as Farmer Field School facilitators. Although many farmers and field school participants have not even finished high school, they have the opportunity to train others and conduct their own research, managing and marketing their own crops.
Khamphou and Sounan are just two of thousands of examples. Today, farmers trained by FAO have acquired basic agricultural skills that they can replicate throughout their farming careers. They can support their families, send their children to vocational schools and universities, and feel financially secure, healthier and happier than ever before.
“As a farmer, I am happy and proud to participate in this type of training and contribute to the spread of good agricultural practices in Laos,” Sunan concluded.
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