The FAO Vegetable IPM Programme began in the Lao PDR in 1996. Initial efforts focused on rice, due to its centrality in the country’s agricultural makeup, and in order to build initial program capacity. Initial field studies for vegetable curriculum development were conducted in 1998 followed by pilot FFSs in 1999, and a Vegetable Training of Trainers in early 2000.

Until 2004, primary funding for the program came from Dutch, Australian and Norwegian multi-lateral aid through regional FAO programs in both Community and Vegetable IPM. Whereas the FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Programme has been active throughout, support from the FAO Community IPM Programme ran from 1999 through 2002, primarily for rice IPM activities. Support has also come from Danida through the Global Alliance for People and the Environment (GAPE) for the period of 2000-01, as well as from Cooperation International Development and Solidarity (CIDSE) for FFS activities in Agricultural Colleges, and Oxfam, Belgium for Vegetable FFSs in Vientiane Province.

Initially, IPM work was conducted in conjunction with the Agricultural Extension Agency under the Department of Agriculture. However, with reorganization of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2000, the program was moved to the newly-established National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES). Since then and despite major re-organizations and staff reshuffles, FAO has continued to provide various support mechanisms to the National IPM Program that has improved its capacity to implement field activities coordination with other projects.

For more information about IPM in Lao

Laos IPM - Brochure

For more information about Lao PDR , click (http://www.fao.org/countryprofiles/index.asp?lang=en&ISO3=LAO)