Cash crops in the uplands: the cardamom experienc

Farmers are often blamed for destroying tropical forests, especially in the Lao PDR. Converting shifting cultivation into cash crop-based agriculture is recurrently presented as the solution merging forest protection and poverty alleviation. However, many attempts in the recent past have ended in failure. The Rural Development Project of Phongsaly District (PDDP) has tried to introduce […]

Case study on orchid exports from the Lao PDR: Recommendations for using the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to increase sustainable orchid trade.

This report is a product of the project “Piloting CITES Implementation in Lao PDR: Strengthening Institutions through Case Studies”. Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), this initiative was carried out by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and partners, including the National University of Laos and TRAFFIC, in 2007-2008.The initiative provided […]

Dr. Khamla Inkhavilay

Dr. Khamla Inkhavilay is the Deputy Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Academic Services and the Director of the Center of Excellence in Biodiversity at the National University of Laos (NoUL). The Center of Excellence conducts research, teaching, and training on Biodiversity and Conservation. The Research and Academic Service Office also plays an […]

Eco-friendly Fertilizers for Sustainable Farming

Ms. Vilaiphone Somsanit has begun producing bio-fertilizer for local farmers, offering an alternative for those interested in creating healthier agricultural options. This initiative allows individuals to enjoy delicious food while ensuring it is safe for consumption. To support this mission, she established I Love Agriculture, a company dedicated to producing bio-fertilizer for sustainable farming. Production, […]

Professor Vichit Lamxay

In 2016 and 2020, Professor Vichit Lamxay was rewarded for his outstanding research by the Faculty of Natural Science of the National University of Laos. He has become a model for many in the field of botany and biodiversity. Professor Vichit Lamxay is a renowned researcher in biodiversity, recognized for his contributions to agroforestry, ecosystem […]

Handbook on Responsible Agricultural Investment for the Private Sector

This handbook has been developed to promote responsible agricultural investment for all investors who wish to invest in agriculture with responsibility towards the relevant policies and laws. To support grassroots efforts through the provision of a variety of information and illustrations to interact with the private sector, and to guarantee responsible and sustainable investment; we […]

Climate change vulnerability assessment for Beung Kiat Ngong Ramsar Site, Lao PDR

In 2014, IUCN carried out a vulnerability assessment of the impacts of climate change on the Ramsar site at Beung Kiat Ngong in southern Lao PDR. This follows earlier vulnerability assessments that were carried out as part of the MRC‘s study on wetlands and climate change in the Lower Mekong Basin, for which relevant case […]

Most Significant Change Stories

Most Significant Change is a qualitative research methodology that involves project stakeholders in deciding what changes are worth recording as “stories”. MSC stories are meant to illustrate, not quantify outcomes and impacts. These stories help “bring to life” the quantitative data and help TABI project managers and donors understand how changes resulting from the P-FALUPAM […]