1. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 SWG-ARD Meeting September 22, 2015 Secretariat’s presentation ---------- Mr. Xaypladeth Choulamany Director General Department of Planning and Cooperation (DoPC)

2. Content SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015  Annual Report – Highlights  SSWGs’ report and plan in 2016  High Level Round Table Meeting 2015  Update on the MAF ICT strategy development  Update on the locust outbreak in Luang Prabang and Huaphanh  Other announcements & communications relevant to the sector

3. Annual Report (1) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 Purpose, objective  To report on the SWG-ARD activities and achievements in 2015  To contribute to the HL-RTM background document References and sources of information  Reports: SSWG (Upland, Agribusiness, Agro biodiversity) and Policy Think Tank  MAF annual reports (DoPC, Divisions: International cooperation, planning, Investment, Economic Integration, Cooperation with Vietnam and China)  SWG-ARD members’ reports, documents and comments  Government policies and resolutions  Other SWG and SSWG data and reports Limit  It is a “Sector Working Group Report” not a comprehensive “Sector Review” * The full report draft was sent and posted on the SWG-ARD website (http://swgard.maf.gov.la) for comments during one week, please send you comments to the secretariat: swgard.secretariat@gmail.comhttp://swgard.maf.gov.laswgard.secretariat@gmail.com

4. Annual Report (2) 1) Update on ODA (source MAF Data base) There are currently 64 ODA projects implemented by 41 organizations / agencies registered by the MAF, representing a total investment of 417 Million USD. Note 1: These figures are all years included, include Technical Assistance, support costs + any projects ending this year. Note 2: These figures do not include cooperation with Vietnam and China and south south cooperation. Cooperation in the agriculture and forestry sector Number of registered projects Total amount USD Bilateral 1884 467 825 International Financial Institutions 11277 474 685 INGOs 2724 021 171 International Organization / Multilateral 830 906 575 Total64 Projects416 870 256

5. Annual Report (3) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 2) Agricultural Investment  624 companies registered.  Total budget of app. 2.3 billion USD:  Domestic investment: 8%,  Foreign investment: 92%,  Vietnam = 31% of total investment,  China = 21% of total investment,  India = 15% of total investment,  Thailand = 12% of total investment. 2) Public Investment  The GoL invested in 242 projects equivalent to 14M USD of which 54% was dedicated to irrigation schemes building and / or rehabilitation.  The balance was dedicated to: technical monitoring and high level MAF officers’ travel, MAF infrastructure program, including research and extension, forest resource and environment preservation and agriculture training centers.

6. Annual Report (4) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 Main topics covered by the SSWGs in 2015 a)SSWG-Uplands a)Nutrition and Infrastructures development in the Uplands. b)Research conducted through the AGRINET fund. c)Farmer Organizations. d)At Provincial level (LPB): ODA management, UDS integration into provincial Strategy and Five year plan, Coffee Sector Development Strategy dissemination. e)At Provincial level (Huaphanh): UDS integration into provincial strategy and 5 year plan, rice, bongbak, cattle and coffee production, climate change adaptation, staff capacity. b)SSWG-Farmers and Agribusiness a)Development of autonomous, self-directed and voluntary farmers’ organization. b)Capitalization on farmers and agribusiness development. c)Information sharing and discussions to support rural development in Lao PDR by providing decision-makers with better access to information, analysis and stimulate critical discussions. c)SSWG-Agrobiodiversity a)SSWG-ABD ToR and structure were revised (new chair: NAFRI, new co-chair: FAO). b)A meeting will take place in November on the National ABD program.

7. Annual Report (5) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 Main research conducted by/through the Policy Think Tank in 2015

8. Annual Report (6) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 Main topics to be covered by the SSWGs and PTT in 2016 a)SSWG-Uplands - The topics and issues will be based on the latest draft UDP a)Food and nutrition security and sufficiency; b)Commercial agriculture, markets, and marketing; c)Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources; d)Rural upland infrastructure; e)Human resources and institutional development and public services delivery. b)SSWG-Farmers and Agribusiness a)Support the development of Farmers Organizations (workshop on Agric. Cooperatives); b)Capitalization on farmers and agribusiness development (field study, “Learning Alliance” on Farmer Organizations at Provincial level (with SSWG-Uplands); c)Information sharing and discussions to support rural development in Lao PDR. c)SSWG-Agrobiodiversity a)Support the framework/activities of the National Agro-biodiversity Program (NABP-II); b)Other topics depending on propositions. d)Policy Think Tank a)14 research works planned – details in the annual report available on the web site.

9. HL-RTM - 27 th November 2015 (1) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 The HL-RTM will take place on the 27 th of November – full day preceded by a field trip on the 25 th and 26 th of November – the focus will be on: “Means of implementation of the 8 th NSEDP” The Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (VDPEDC or VD II) will be signed during the HL-RTM. The strategic plan for the roll out of SDGs in Lao PDR will be a key item on the agenda. The SWG-ARD will contribute and be represented during the HL-RTM  The SWG-ARD contribution to the background document is the SWG-ARD annual report.  The SWG-ARD will participate to the HL-RTM development exhibition. Then, the SWG-ARD members and stakeholders (Private, DPs, CSO, GoL) are invited to present:  Extension and information material  Publications  Agricultural products and in/outputs  Agricultural equipment  Submit material / products to be displayed to the secretariat of the SWG-ARD before the 12 th of November.

10. HL-RTM - 27 th November 2015 (2) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 Each SWG will have one key speaker / representative to deliver a 5 minutes speech. There will be various themes for plenary discussion and the SWG-ARD representative will speak at the start of the “plenary discussion focused Area II” on the following topics (as suggested by the MPI): 2.1. The multisectoral (convergence) approach to address food and nutrition security (This is a cluster of key output areas of the 8 th NSEDP: improved living standards through poverty reduction, food and nutrition security, tradition and cultural preservation). Key questions  How could the multisectoral (convergence) approach to address food and nutrition security be effectively and successfully implemented?  What would be the areas for further support? 2.2. Human Development, Service delivery and social sector development (This is a cluster of key output areas of the 8 th NSEDP: access to high quality education, access to high quality health care and preventive medicine, enhanced social welfare, and political stability, order, justice and gender equality) Key questions  How to ensure the sustainability of the national efforts to improve human development & service delivery and enhance social sector development?  What would be the areas for further support?

11. MAF Strategy on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015 The MAF, is currently preparing an ICT Strategy under a NAFRI / DOPC initiative and with technical assistance from the FAO. A Steering Committee was established, chaired by the Vice Minister. This topic will be discussed in 2016. Below are some important directions so far:  The Strategy will be applied to: sector-wide data collection and analysis; research and innovation data management; production and value chain support services and agricultural knowledge management. 16 outcomes are expected in these 4 areas.  The mission of the ICT for Agriculture and Forestry Strategy is to provide synergies and efficiencies to programs, applications and ICT services for MAF departments and units that: contributes to meeting ADS 2025 goals; results in positive changes and impact on the livelihoods of people in the agricultural sector; improves investment potential of the agricultural sector; and reduces individual and institutional risks.  The goal of the ICT for Agriculture and Forestry Strategy is to ensure sustainable national food security, a regionally competitive agricultural commodity production, and ICT enhanced agriculture industrialization and modernization by the Year 2025.  The MAF ICT Office/Center will be based in NAFRI.

12. Update on the locust outbreak in Luang Prabang and Huaphanh (1) Numerous swarms reported across May, Phonthong, Ngoi, Viengkham & Xon Districts. In July, the MAF was joined by FAO and WFP to assess the damage of the outbreak of Yellow Spined Bamboo Locust (Ceracris kiangsu) in Luang Prabang and Houaphan. Additional joint MAF/FAO surveys were carried out mid August. Another is occurring mid/end Sept to further assess the extend of infected area. The situation in June was:  Estimated number of people affected: 22,000  Luang Prabang: 15,000 / Houaphan: 7,000  Number of ha. Affected: 3,600  Luang Prabang: 2,800 / Houaphan: 800  57 % of villages in Phonthong, Viengkham and Xorn reported locust activity.  Surveillance teams are now covering all districts, equipped with GPS & motorbikes.  Reporting system is now operational and producing weekly situation updates.  First laying swarm was observed on the 20 th of August in Viengkham District.  Adult swarms are now not damaging food crops, they are feeding only on bamboo.  Way forward:  Monitor / survey the outbreak progression.  Conduct spraying workshop Viengkham at the end of Sept.  Workshop in LPB & VTE in Oct to review progress of current program and plan a response to manage the threat posed by next generation of nymphs (Apr-May 2016)

13. Update on the locust outbreak in Luang Prabang and Huaphanh (2)

14. Miscellaneous SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015  SWG-ARD evaluation/feedback from: The SWG secretariat prepared a quick and simple survey in order to collect feedback and recommendations from members. The survey is anonymous. Please fill the form in English or Lao and give it back to the registration desk today before you leave or fill the form on internet before the end of this week.  The 68 th UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP). The IYP 2016 aims to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefit of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security & nutrition. The Year will create a unique opportunity to encourage connections throughout the food chain that would better utilize pulse-based proteins, further global production of pulses, better utilize crop rotations and address the challenges in the trade of pulses.  The World Food Day will be celebrated on the 16 th of October (Lao ITECC). The theme this year is: Social Protection and Agriculture. Breaking the cycle of rural poverty.

15. Thank you SWG-ARD, some contacts and relevant links (September 2015) Contacts Secretariat SWG-ARD:swgard.secretariat@gmail.comswgard.secretariat@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Uplands:nudpnpco@gmail.comnudpnpco@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Agri-Business: subswgab@gmail.comsubswgab@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Agro biodiversity: sswg.abd@gmail.com Coordinator Policy Think Tank:khamphou_p@hotmail.comkhamphou_p@hotmail.com MAF-DIC Mail:laomafdici@yahoo.comlaomafdici@yahoo.com RTP Secretariat:rtpsecretariat@gmail.com Web sites SWG-ARD:http://swgard.maf.gov.lahttp://swgard.maf.gov.la Round Table Meeting: http://www.rtm.org.lahttp://www.rtm.org.la Ministry of Agriculture:http://www.maf.gov.lahttp://www.maf.gov.la NAFRIhttp://www.nafri.org.lahttp://www.nafri.org.la NUDP Website: http://www.nudplao.orghttp://www.nudplao.org SWG-ARD / Vientiane / September 22, 2015