Introducing integrated rice-fish farming in Lao PDR: policy engagements

Inphonephong, Souphalack; Mam, K.; Phounvisouk, L.; Dubois, Mark. 2024. Introducing integrated rice-fish farming in Lao PDR: policy engagements. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies. 21p.

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.