SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 SWG-ARD Meeting 23 rd March 2016 Secretariat’s Presentation Mr. Xaypladeth Choulamany Director General Department of Planning and Cooperation (DoPC)

Content SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016  2016 Round Table Implementation Meeting Preparation  Developing the Policy Think Tank towards evidence-based policy advice  NUDP / SSWG-Uplands - Main achievements, experience and lessons  SSWG-Uplands, what comes next?  Update on the Regional Rice Initiative  Topics for further discussed within the SWG-ARD  Publication

2016 RTIM (1) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 The 2016 RTIM will be organized at provincial level in November 2016 (during 2 days) and involve authorities from all provinces to discuss progress towards the national development agenda. The 2016 RTIM overall objective is to:  Report on the progress of the implementation of the national development agenda;  Identify further action areas at provincial and district levels to accelerate and advance the national outcomes. The 2016 RTIM will aim to achieve the following outcomes:  Improved mutual understanding and better appreciation of the progress in the implementation of the national development agenda as a transition toward the LDC graduation by 2020;  Translation of the national development agenda into provincial and district action areas for accelerating and advancing the national outcomes through strengthened and enhanced development cooperation / inclusive partnership.

2016 RTIM (2) Possible options for the meeting’s theme: 1.Accelerating the progress of the implementation of the 8 th NSEDP through greater partnership at all levels; 2.Effective implementation of the national development agenda – 8 th NSEDP and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); 3.Other propositions may be added. Suggested agenda items: 1.Key achievements and challenges/lessons learnt of the implementation of the 8 th NSEDP and recommendations (at national and provincial levels). 2.SDGs targets that should be incorporated in the national and provincial planning processes, policies and strategies. 3.Enhancing partnership for effective development cooperation – Update on the revision of the Prime Minister Decree. No 75 on ODA management. 4.Implementation of the Vientiane Declaration II Country Action Plan by national and provincial stakeholders.

Developing the PTT towards evidence-based policy advice A multi stakeholder consultation took place on March 1 st, 2016 with the main objective to improve coordination mechanisms for engagement and partnership. Background: The PTT was established in 2012, under the NAFRI-PRC, with the main objective to engage key government ministries and private sector stakeholders in a dialogue and consensus building exercise to address critical national policy issues and then support the improvement of livelihoods among the rural poor. Actual achievements: The PTT mainly contributed to research projects’ coordination and communication, cross-agency network development, policy-relevant research and policy briefs. Main recommendations:  Change name, possibly to Policy Advisory Group (PAG)?  Coordinate (not conduct) research works  Conduct policy assessment and evaluation  Bring the PAG closer to the decision makers, directly under Minister / Vice-Minister  Create an inter ministerial secretariat linking with other sectors and working groups SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016

Developing the PTT towards evidence-based policy advice Priority Themes in 2016  Government priorities as outlines in MAF strategy – 13 policies  Look at value chains of 4-5 important crops holistically  Food and nutrition security  Access to finance and investment for small holders  Mechanisms for moving to green economy (i.e. organics, high value crops) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016

NUDP and SSWG-Uplands Main Achievements Experience & Lessons  NUDP has successfully developed and tested systems for decentralized management (to plan, budget, manage, implement and monitor activities locally using regular staff).  MAF staff have been trained and demonstrated their capacity to use these systems.  Pool funds have been used accountably.  NUDP supported the SSWG-Uplands to build a common policy framework (Uplands Development Strategy (UDS) and Uplands Development Program (UDP)).  MPI has drafted PBA guidelines for Laos, with NUDP support.  National and provincial SSWG-Uplands meetings were conducted since 2011 covering: land issues, nutrition, value chains, infrastructure, farmer organizations, promising new commodities, provincial strategies, coordination of ODA.  NUDP funded research projects and organized three policy research forums.  NUDP provided technical and financial support for the organization of SWG-ARD meetings. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016

SSWG on Uplands What comes next? SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 Five options: 1.Continue as it is, and need to find new project support and new co-chair; 2.« Merge » with the SWG-ARD and need to find a mechanism to address « Uplands »; 3.« Merge » with another SSWG; 4.Divide the responsibilities between other SSWGs; 5.Just end the SSWG on Uplands.

SSWG on Uplands What comes next? SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 Issues to be considered (relevant to the SSWG on Uplands and beyond):  Plenty of meetings already happening (within and without the SWG-ARD) => Very time consuming for all stakeholders.  Other coordination processes and platforms exist (between DPs, GoL, CSOs).  The system: “1 project + 1 department + 1 donor = 1 SSWG core structure ” is very formal and relies a lot on donors’ fund and interest, then other mechanisms may be considered to address critical topics relevant to the SWG-ARD.  Through task force(s). For example, the Lao coffee sector development strategy was prepared by a task force that ended after the strategy finalization, approval.  Through a modification of the SWG-ARD meetings’ structure for addressing structural / long term issues or sub sectors.  Proposition: Organize thematic afternoon sessions following some (or each) SWG- ARD meeting. The session would be prepared by one project, organization or department, under the SWG-ARD framework.

SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 Update on the Regional Rice Initiative Lao PDR Components 1. Strategic Action Plan for Rice in Lao PDR – DOPC / MAF  National Plan formulated with all MAF agencies, MOIC, MONRE, MPI, MPWT, MOF, Bank of Lao 2. Sustainable Intensification of Rice Production using “Save & Grow” approach - DOA 3. Participatory valuation of Rice–Fish Systems – DLF 4. Trees outside Forests / Trees in Rice Landscapes - DOA/NAFRI Main Results in 2015 Save and Grow approach promoted efficient use of production inputs (elimination of use of chemical pesticides) for higher rice yields and farmers’ profits; The Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approach proved to be effective and highly supported by PAFO/DAFO. Rice-Fish system: The value of aquatic resources was found to be far higher than the cost of rice in most cases. Trees outside forest fosters the link between paddy rice, trees, wood lands and agro- biodiversity.

SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 Save and GrowRice-Fish Surveys

SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 Rice Fields More Than Rice

SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 The RRI Work Plan is made of 2 components 1.Farmer Field School approaches to Sustainable Intensification of Rice Production (Save and Grow), combining Rice Productivity, Rice–Fish Systems and Trees outside Forests. 2.Policy support for rice production systems on (a)Food Security and Nutrition, and (b)Value Chain enhancement

Topics for further discussed within the SWG-ARD SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 Clean agriculture is often mentioned as an issue to be better addressed For information, in Laos it is classified into four types of practices/principles: 1.Organic agriculture (OA), 2.Traditional agriculture, 3.Pesticide Free Agriculture (PFA), 4.Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) – this also includes Integrated Pest Management Other important topics should be emphasized within the SWG-ARD: Climate change, Nutrition, Rural finance, ASEAN, Cross border trade, Uplands, Irrigation, Livestock …

Publication SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016 The booklet presented last year by SDC on 16 Agro biodiversity products with high potential for food security and income generation was published and distributed today as handout along with other important documents: -Agricultural Development Strategy to 2025 and Vision up to 2030; -National Nutrition Strategy to 2025 and Plan of Action to 2020; -Agriculture and Forestry Research (NAFRI) Strategy 2025 and Vision up to 2030.

Thank you SWG-ARD, some contacts and relevant links (September 2015) Contacts Secretariat Secretariat SSWG Secretariat SSWG Agri-Business: Secretariat SSWG Agro biodiversity: Coordinator Policy Think MAF-DIC RTP Web sites SWG-ARD: Round Table Meeting: Ministry of Agriculture: NAFRI: NUDP Website: SWG-ARD / Vientiane / March, 23, 2016