Incorporating with SURAFCO and NAFC

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
ADB Loan no. 3198 (SF) and IFAD Loan no.2000001743
Northern Smallholder Livestock Commercialization Project (NSLCP)
NAFC Curriculum Development Report in Pakse,
Champasak province, Lao PDR.
Written by:
Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida
Agribusiness Development Specialist (as LIC team)
Amphaivanh Souksanty
Chief of NAFC Didactic Team
Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC)
Vientiane, November 2017

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
Table of Contents
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………4
2. Objectives…………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………….4
3. Methodology………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
4. Location of field work………………………………………………………………………………………………….…4
5. Participants………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………4
6. Length of time…………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………4
7. Results and Discussion………………………………………..………………………………………………………….6
7.1 Workshop in Luangprabang province…………………..…………………………………………………..6
7.2 Workshop in Pakse city, Champasak province……………………………………….………………….6
7.2.1 MSLs 309 Livestock Economics and Marketing……………………………………………..7
7.2.1.1 Assessment of module description………………………..………..………………………7
7.2.1.2 Assessment of handbook……………………………………..………………………………...7
7.2.1.3 PowerPoint………………………………………………………………………………..……………9
7.2.1.4 Spider diagramme………………………………………………………………………..…………9
7.2.2 Finalized output and key points to be improved………….……………………………..10
7.2.3 Numerous livestock modules at the NAFC………………………………….……………….10
7.3 Other workshop will consider to organize by NSLCP………………………………………..……..11
8. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………..11
9. Suggestions and recommendations…………………………….…………………..…….….…………………11

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
Abbreviations
ADB : Asian Development Bank
DLF : Department of Livestock and Fishery
HAFL : School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences
IFAD : International Fund for Agriculture Development
LIC : Loan Implementation Consultant
NAFC : Northern Agriculture and Forestry College
NSLCP : Northern Smallholder Livestock Commercialization Project
PAM : Project Administration manual
PIM : Project Implementation Manual
SDC : Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
SURAFCO : Support to the Reform of the Northern Agriculture & Forestry College
SWOT : Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
1. Introduction
During mid-October 2017, the curriculum development project entitled ‘Support to the Reform
of the Northern Agriculture & Forestry College’ (SURAFCO) funded by the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC) organized a 1st training workshop in Luangprabang to
assist four agriculture colleges plus ThaNgon irrigation college in improving curriculum and this
workshop invited professor from Bern University Dr. Dominique Vincent Guenat to facilitate
high diploma degree for five colleges in Lao PDR. This period of time, LIC team has taken an
opportunity to observe and find out how to integrate ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF) activity related
into SURAFCO.
2nd training workshop is going to hold from 30 October – 3 November 2017 in Pakse Agriculture
College. There are a series of topics to improve curriculum on animal economics and marketing,
marketing and extension, financing course, and livestock market linkage. Therefore, we would
like to take this opportunity to complete assignment of NAFC curriculum development.
2. Objectives
There are two key objectives of the mission in Pakse to (i) assist NAFC didactic team to complete
high diploma degree course on livestock economics and marketing, and (ii) complete to improve
handbook for livestock economics and marketing. After this workshop finished, NAFC will have
to complete both as mentioned above. This effort thanks to a good synergy between ADB loan
no.3198-LAO (SF) and SURAFCO.
3. Methodology
This field mission activity applies a variety of methodologies depending on expected outputs
what it aims to have, there are: workshop participation, engaging in working group, opened
discussion, mutual support in line with PAM/PIM and coming up with united agreement with
whole college teachers.
To implement this mission, closed collaboration with Mr. Amphaivanh Souksanty as NAFC
counterpart person to join the mission as refers from field mission’s schedule next page below.
4. Location of field work
Pakse city, Champasak Province, Lao PDR
5. Participants
Mr. Amphaivanh Souksanty, Chief of NAFC didactic team
Mr. Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida, National Agribusiness Development Specialist
6. Length of time
Training workshop schedule took place from 29 October to 4 November 2017.

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
Day Activities Responsible Location
Day 1:
Sunday
29 October 2017
Depart 13.00 pm from Vientiane
capital and Arrive Pakse city,
Champasak province at 13:45 pm
Phetsoulaphonh (LIC) Vientiane
capital
Day 2:
Monday
30 October 2017
Workshop 3a
Input 3.9 module review by HAFL
MSLs309 livestock economics and
marketing (HANDBOOK – teaching
methods )
Amphaivanh (NAFC)
Phetsoulaphonh (LIC)
Pakse city,
Champasak
province.
Day 3:
Tuesday
31 October 2017
Workshop 3a – Input 4a
Objective of the module revision
(Revision of module description,
Revision of PowerPoint
presentation, minor update,
Revision of handbook, and Find new
material)
Amphaivanh (NAFC)
Phetsoulaphonh (LIC)
Pakse city,
Champasak
province.
Day 4:
Wednesday
1 November 2017
Workshop 3a – Input 5a
Module revision: how to proceed?
Step 1: from key questions to skills
Amphaivanh (NAFC)
Phetsoulaphonh (LIC)
Pakse city,
Champasak
province.
Day 5:
Thursday
2 November 2017
Workshop 3a – Input 6a
Module revision: how to proceed?
Step 2: from skills to relevant
contents and chapters
Amphaivanh (NAFC)
Phetsoulaphonh (LIC)
Pakse city,
Champasak
province.
Day 6:
Friday
3 November 2017
Workshop 3a – Input 7
Module revision, Step 3: select
relevant material for revised module
contents (theory, examples,
exercises and practice)
Amphaivanh (NAFC)
Phetsoulaphonh (LIC)
Pakse city,
Champasak
province.
Day 7:
Saturday
4 November 2017
Return to Vientiane capital and
Arrive at 14:45 pm.
Phetsoulaphonh (LIC) Vientiane
capital

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
7. Results and Discussions
The process of curriculum development realizes that professional skills are in the centre and
analyzing is needed. Module development is the tools to help college teacher know why, how,
and when to revise, and mostly module assessment will use spider diagramme template for
better understanding where to improve. And lastly teaching methods focus on student centred
teaching. Therefore, five agricultural colleges in Lao PDR have been applying to improve
curriculum in each five years.
7.1. Workshop in Luangprabang province
During 23 – 27 October 2017, SURAFCO funded by Swiss Development Agency had organized a
training workshop for four agriculture and forestry colleges plus one ThaNgon irrigation college;
it aims to educate didactic teams to obtain principles of curriculum development approach.
Since five days’ workshop could not complete all modules. This training workshop chaired by
Mr. Thongsamouth Phommasone, Dean of Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC) in
Luangprabang province.
Total participants attended 34 people (11 females) came from five colleges:
 Norther Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC)
 Bolikhamxay Aagriculture and Forestry College
 Nakae Agriculture and Forestry College in Savannakhet province
 Southern Agriculture and Forestry College in Pakse, Champasak province
 ThaNgon Irrigation College in Vientiane province
Curriculum development covered six modules:
 MSS 304: Geographical survey
 CS 201: Rural development and community education
 MSWr 408: Watershed management
 CS 202: Agricultural extension and knowledge transfer
 CS 208: Water management for agriculture
 CS 204: Farm planning and management
7.2. Workshop in Pakse city, Champasak province
Continue from the workshop in Luangprabang, this tern was a rotation responsible of Southern
Agriculture and Forestry College in Pakse, Champasak province to organize curricula
development for other five modules, it held from 30 October – 3 November 2017 at the college
hall. This training workshop chaired by Mr. Khamsavang Sombounkhan, dean of Southern
Agriculture and Forestry College in Pakse, Champasak province.
There are five modules covered by this workshop:
 MSAb 303: Marketing

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
 MSAb 309: Market extension
 MSLs 309: Livestock economics and marketing
 MSAg 309: Crop economics and marketing
 MSLs 312: Final practice
7.2.1 MSLs 309_Livestock Economics and Marketing
This module was one out of 11 modules together selecting by SURAFCO and its counterparts
among five colleges. And the left modules will be discussed with other donors who aim to
support in the same area of curriculum development themes e.g. NSLCP will be responsible
for all livestock modules, Taiwan government project fund will take care of fishery modules,
and the left will be covered by SURAFCO.
Few months ago before this training workshop has taken in Champasak province, this
livestock economics and marketing module was assessed by Dr.Dominique Guenat, Head of
the group “International Agriculture” at HAFL. HAFL is an external assessment team to
review the modules.
The result of module review focused on four key elements as show below:
7.2.1.1 Assessment of module description
HAFL completed to assess module description of MSLs 309: livestock economics and
marketing, the structure of this module is clear understandable and very detailed, for
teaching method was generally included of brainstorming, group work, Q&A, student
assignments, study tours ... But how many of them are actually used?
Table 1. SWOT analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
Complete, many details (too many?) Structure not very logical (production
costs at the end)
May not be very practice oriented (?)
List of skills not focusing enough on the
needs in the field (what should the
graduates be able to do after the
module?)
Too much theory, not enough practice in
line with the relevant skills
7.2.1.2 Assessment of handbook
There are parts to be assessed, consultants will look at (i). first visual impression how
this handbook attract readers, (ii). Main elements inside the handbook, and (iii).
Teaching method. The result what consultant found showing below:

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
Table 2. Result of handbook assessed
Items Number Comments
Chapters 7 The sequence of the chapters and also their
focus may need revision
Pages 52
Illustrations/graphs 8 Poor graphs, not really helpful
Pictures 0 Not a single picture in the handbook!
Assessment found that, diagramme at page no.5 seems to be unclear value chain, and
many boxes there has no texts, it will not help student to understand. And page no.29
gave calculation formula but did not give any example how livestock products will
calculate in such a good case.
Figure 1. HAND BOOK – first visual impression
Table 3. HAND BOOK – main elements
Structure Yes! The structure has many chapters covering a broad range
of topics, practical work and exercises are not included
Skills Limited! It is not obvious that the learning contents are in line
with the skills (and the skills should be revised)
Chapters Chapters (selection of topics) need revision. Starting from the
skills, and making sure to match the contents with the desired
skills:
- Calculation of production costs with exercises and examples
- Where and how to sell products from animal production
Difficulty Yes, but poor English translation, not 100% clear but overall
looks rather difficult and partly not very relevant
Practice - theory Practical part is not included in the handbook
Exercises - questions Insufficient, more emphasis should be put on questions e.g.

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
to synthesize each chapter (control questions if learning
outcome is achieved)
Table 4. HAND BOOK – teaching methods
Student centred
teaching
Probably not! I assume that the module consists mainly in
frontal teaching (lecturing) with very few interactive
sequences
Recommended to improve
include interactive sequences, cases studies, assignments,
group work, exercises, excursions, etc.
Practical examples No! Insufficient examples, no case studies
Recommended to improve
include more practical aspects such as case studies,
excursions, group work, etc.
Assignments,
homework, self-
study
No
Recommended to improve
More individual and group exercises should be integrated
throughout all chapters to ‘test’ and improve.
7.2.1.3 PowerPoint
Will not assess since most of teachers will prepare own slide based on information is
available in the handbook, if handbook is covered many chapters relevant to local
systems and sustainable development of livestock sector that will be useful to
students but PowerPoint should add more about practical oriented, skills based,
gender and ethnicity.
7.2.1.4 Spider diagramme
Five main dimensions have assessed and gave score from 0 – 100% by external party.
“Sustainable development” and “gender and ethnicity” cannot be assessed based on
the information given by colleges.
Figure 2. Spider diagramme of MSLs 309
If increase student’s skill the percentage of practice oriented also increases. For
gender and ethnicity, you can give more examples related. The sustainable

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
development and relevance for local system can be increase percentage by adding
case studies within somewhere in Lao PDR.
7.2.2 Finalized output and key points to be improved
Representative of LIC team, Mr. Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida engaged himself and provided
technical assistance as much as possible during five days training workshop in Pakse, from
six steps in the curriculum development plus working group. Therefore, positive outputs can
summarized in order to guide teacher to continue develop his/her modules later on.
Table 5. Module MSLs309 Livestock economics and marketing
Working group in Pakse, 2017
7.2.3 Numerous Livestock Modules at the NAFC
NSLCP component for curriculum development at NAFC is prescribed by the PAM/PIM that
“The project will assist the NAFC to upgrade its animal production courses to modern
standards and oriented towards the Lao culture and natural environment. There will be two
keys focuses: (i). market oriented livestock production including development of business
plan; and (ii). a course to produce qualified butchers. The trainees will include NAFC staff,
NAFC students, government staff, and private sector operators”.
For upgrading diploma course curricula at NAFC with a focus upon commercialization, there
are 11 modules showing in table 11. This will ask LIC team to assist during project period.

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
Table 6. Livestock Modules to be improved by NAFC
LIC team, 2017
7.3 Other workshops will consider to organize by NSLCP
According to 2018 annual work plan, the NAFC aims to improve the contents of livestock
curriculum linking with market oriented, business plan for livestock market and value chain of
animal products. There are four events of pedagogy training workshops will be held outside the
college campus of NAFC. As per discussed with SURAFCO, whenever NSLCP organizes such a
training workshop on curriculum development, SURAFCO will support 4 other colleges to
participate since NAFC acts as host will be paid by ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF).
8 Conclusion
SURAFCO employs six steps in the curriculum development process and five agricultural colleges
adopted this as basic tool for module revision in each five years. Currently 11 modules have been
improving including MSLs 309 livestock economics and marketing and LIC team engaged in the process
during workshop organized in Pakse.
NAFC flavors LIC team to assist its livestock curriculum development by following SURAFCO process.
Since NAFC has 11 livestock modules to be improved during project period of ADB loan no.3198-LAO
(SF): NSLCP. Meaning that, LIC team will assist NAFC to facilitate workshop on module revision with
didactic team and livestock teachers.
All livestock handbooks will send to LIC team to conduct assessment before didactic workshop events.
9 Suggestion and Recommendation
For 11 livestock handbooks (table.6) will be on hands of LIC team in order to do assessment by following
SURAFCO template such as assessment of module description, assessment of handbook, powerpoint,
and spider diagramme. Then workshop will be held outside the NAFC campus.
Keep contact individual livestock module teacher to get key information and update an assessment from
time to time before moving to other livestock modules left.

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ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF): NSLCP
Make sure that, the NAFC to upgrade its animal production courses to modern standards including
market oriented livestock production and development of business plan.
Vientiane Project Management Office (VPMO)
Contact:
Phetsoulaphonh N. Choulatida
Amphaivanh Souksanty
Phet.choulatida@yahoo.com
souksanty@yahoo.com
Agribusiness Development Specialists
Chief of NAFC Didactic Team
ADB loan no.3198-LAO (SF)
NSLCP