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 2008, primary funding for the program came from Dutch, Australian and Norwegian multi-lateral aid through regional FAO programs in both Community (Rice) and Vegetable IPM. Various local and international NGOs have also supported the development of IPM-FFS programmes in Lao PDR (e.g. SEARICE/BUCAP for capacity building on participatory plant breeding, CIDSE for curriculum reform at agricultural colleges and OXFAM-Belgium with support for Vegetable IPM FFS and promotion of Good Agricultural Practices.

Currently, the National IPM Programme is implemented under guidance of the Plant Protection Centre (PPC), Department of Agriculture (DOA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The National IPM Programme aims to promote adoption of Integrated Pest Management practices among small-holder farmers and reduce health and environmental risk associated with indiscriminate use of pesticides through policy reform and capacity building for the sustainable management of agricultural chemicals.

FAO continues to support the National IPM Programme within the scope of a longer-term Regional Programme aimed at strengthening management of agricultural chemicals in the Greater Mekong Subregion. This Programme, in its current 1st phase up to June 2013, is funded by the Swedish Government.  Activities include training of trainers and farmer training on IPM and pesticide risk reduction. To date, more than 3,500 farmers (including 1,146 women) in  95 villages of four provinces, Vientiane Capital, Sayabouly, Xiengkhouang and Vientiane Province participated in training and formulation of community action plans on pesticide risk reduction for implementing in their own communities.

FAO also supports the National IPM Programme with the implementation of Fruit Fly IPM training (project GCP/RAS/268/AIT) and Capacity Building for Spread Prevention and Management of Cassava Pink Mealy bug (TCP/RAS/3311).

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)