Where are agroecological approaches documented in the Mekong Region? To find out, we mapped 271 cases found in literature using the smallest identifiable spatial units in each case. The resulting map (below), shows that there are areas in the Mekong Region where more knowledge on agroecology is available than in others.
Main messages of the map
The map shows that there are hotspots of reported agroecological initiatives in upland areas of northern Vietnam and north-eastern Lao PDR, in the lowlands of northern and central Cambodia, and in the Isan region of Thailand. The map also shows blind spots of documented agroecological practices, particularly in almost all of Myanmar (except for the Irrawaddy delta, some areas north-east of Naypyidaw, and single cases in the north of the country), most of central and southern Lao PDR (except for some areas in Savannakhet, Salavan, and Attapeu provinces, southern Vietnam (apart from the Mekong delta), and western and southern Thailand.
Implications of findings
Experience with agroecology is not evenly distributed in the region. Therefore, there is a need for up- and out-scaling efforts, which would help to share the experiences gleaned in some areas with stakeholders and decision-makers in others. Researchers, policymakers and practitioners should contribute to efforts to make documented knowledge on experience with agroecology available in regions where less has been done and documented. They might also help to foster the exchange between practitioners and policy-makers between regions to encourage out-scaling of best practices.
Data sources
Data on documented agroecological initiatives was gathered from literature found on seven online repositories: Scopus (www.scopus.com), ALiSEA (www.ali-sea.org), FAO agroecology hub (www.fao.org/agroecology/database/en/), Mekong Land Research Forum (MLRF; www.mekonglandforum.org), System of Rice Intensification International Network and Resource Centre (SRI; www.sri.ciifad.cornell.edu), and the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT; www.wocat.net).
Further reading
Hett, C., Aye, Z. C., Gironde, C., Beban, A., Castella, J. C., Bernhard, R., & Ehrensperger, A. (2023). Agroecological initiatives in the Mekong Region: a systematic literature review and mapping reveals their implications for transitioning to sustainable food systems. Journal of Land Use Science, 18(1), 334–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/1747423X.2023.2248980
Hett C., Aye Z.C., Bernhard R., Beban A., Gironde C., and Ehrensperger A. (2024). Creating agricultural landscapes with positive environmental outcomes. State of Land in the Mekong Region Series, Policy Brief Nr 4. Vientiane: MRLG and CDE.
Creating agricultural landscapes with positive environmental outcomes (policy brief 4)