The development of organic farming in Lao

1. Experiences of PROFIL
On enhancing organic production
and trade
Presented by: Bouthsakone INTHALANGSEE

2. The Promotion
of Organic
Farming and
Marketing In
Lao PDR
(PROFIL II)

3. Project Objective
• To contribute to improved living conditions
in rural areas of the Lao PDR, the good
health of consumers, the sustainable use
of natural resources and economic growth
through the promotion of organic
agriculture.

4. Expected Results
• Institutions and organizations promoting organic
agriculture are strengthened
• A national certification body for organic agriculture
is developed and function
• Value chains of certified organic products for the
national (vegetables, fruits, etc.) and the
international (coffee, ginger, rice etc.) market are
promoted
• Market information, business opportunities, links
and networking for organic markets are provided to
interested stakeholders in Lao PDR

5. Partners
• Department of Agriculture (DOA),
• PROFIL collaborated with Clean Agriculture
Development Center (CADC) and Plant
Protection Center (PPC)
• Worked with Provincial Agriculture and Forestry
Office for Vientiane Capital and and
Champasack province with 7 District Agriculture
and Forestry Offices
• Start work with Provincial Agriculture and
Forestry Office Borikhamxay and
Xiengkhouang

6. PROFIL focuses
on 4 main areas
1) Institutional Development
2) Certification system Development
3) Value chain Development
4) Trade or marketing Development

7. Frame Conditions for institution
development
• Led the creation and adoption of Lao
Organic Standards, based on IFOAM
norms
• Developed Laos Organic logo (Seal)
• Worked towards creation of Lao
certification body, which participate in the
new Certification Alliance (Cert All) of
certification bodies (Lead by ICEA)

8. Laos organic
standards
- 2004 PROFIL had
developed national base on
IFAOM basic standard, were
approved by MAF in
December 2005

9. Laos organic seal
- Assist DOA to Develop
national organic seal, it
was registered with the
science Technology
Environment Agency

10. Certification experiences
• Facilitate producer to apply
for LCB certification
• Set up ICS-internal Control
System for farmer group
• Facilitate Lao operators to
apply for international
certification bodies
• Provide training on
certification to value chain
actors

11. Supporting Production
• Worked with 185 (137 ha) vegetable and fruit
farm families in 14 villages and 570 (870 ha)
rice farm families in 10 villages based on
organic farming groups in Vientiane
• Worked with 8 ORVC group in Khoun District,
Xiengkhouang Province and 7 ORVC groups
in Borikhan District, Borikhamxay Province

12. Supporting Production (cond)
• Trained farmers on organic techniques
such as composting, bio-control agents
and use of plant extracts for pest control
• Farmer’s study tour to Thailand

13. Support Entrepreneurs of
Organic Products
• Provide information
• Link to the organic producer groups
• Facilitate for internal and external
certification
• Support them to participate in organic
product exhibition events
• Link to organic market

14. Value chain development
• Organic vegetable and fruit value chain
• Organic rice value chain
• Other value chain

15. Support Organic Market and
Products

16. Domestic Marketing
• Worked to educate consumers about
organic products
• Created the Organic Market for farmers to
sell their products directly to consumers
• Also selling organic rice, organic fruits and
organic vegetables at retail stores in
Vientiane

17. International Markets
• Raised awareness of Lao organic industry
through an internationally oriented
website www.laosorganic.com
• Participated in trade shows such as
BioFach, All Thing Organic
• Assisted organic coffee company to certify
product for European markets

18. Marketing
• Distribute organic education materials and raise
public awareness
• Facilitate and support farmer groups and private
sectors to promote organic products and
certification.
• Identify market information needs, conduct
research and disseminate results (specific
commodities)
• Marketing training for value chain actors
• Facilitate development and implementation of
business and marketing plans

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