Sustainable food system - mm Archives

Boost Agricultural Sustainability through Crop-Livestock Integration: Insights from Điện Biên District

Crop-Livestock Integration (CLI) through biomass exchanges between crop and livestock enhances the sustainability of mixed farming systems, improving production, autonomy, efficiency and recycling. By analysing the diversity and recent changes in mixed farms and modelling potential CLI pratices changes, we assess the effect of these changes on farm performance and sustainability in Ðiện Biên District, Northwest Vietnam. CLI enables farms to improve animal feed and environmental performances if pressure on land resources remains minimal. High pressure on pasture land may force pasture-dependent farms to cease animal production despite support for forage development. Agroforestry (fruits and forage) could enhance animal feed and farm performance with high-value products, though still its innovative stage. The results show that local authorities must continue to develop innovative models for the production and conservation of forage and crop residues, while also devising additional strategies to support resource-constrained farms. It suggests exploring new forage production systems and biomass management between farms with a broader district-level vision.

Participatory Rice Varieties Evaluation: Empowering Farmers Through Collaborative Assessment

How do Cambodian farmers choose the best rice for their local conditions and market needs? This video follows a participatory rice variety evaluation conducted in Preah Vihear province as part of an agroecology-based farming initiative. Together with farmers, researchers, and local stakeholders, the ASSET project tested 33 rice varieties to find those most suitable for rainfed and irrigated organic systems.

Discover how farmers assessed yield, taste, pest resistance, and climate resilience through an inclusive six-step method. Learn which varieties stood out—and how this approach empowers farmers to lead in sustainable seed selection.

Participatory Rice Varieties Evaluation: Empowering Farmers Through Collaborative Assessment

Key Questions Explored:
– Main criteria for new rice varieties
– How to use and multiply varieties
– Adaptation to current farming systems

Agroecology, through and beyond markets : The case of Khao Kai Noi rice in the Lao PDR

• In Xieng Khouang (XKH), farmers grow Khao Kai Noi (KKN) rice for self-consumption and surplus are mainly sold at local markets.
• The KKN-based farming system exhibits a range of agroecological characteristics on which initiatives such as Geographical Indication (GI) build to promote high-quality rice.
• Rice from XKH has a good reputation due to its organoleptic qualities but its sustainable features are not prized by customers.
• Knowledge about GI certification is low and the volume of KKN from XKH sold under GI certification is marginal.
• The agroecological characteristics of KKN-based farming system and their link to XKH territory have to be promoted to make it a showcase of sustainable food systems in Laos.

Agroecology Dialogue: A Driving Force for Food Systems Transformation in Laos

– The Lao Government recognizes sustainable food systems as central to national development goals. Agroecology policy and practice are the “head and hands” of sustainable food systems, with dialogue as the “heart” linking the two.
– National policies, including the Agriculture Development Strategy and Organic Agriculture regulations, largely support agroecological principles but implementation and enforcement remain uneven.
– Agroecological practices such as conservation agriculture, IPM, and organic markets have a 25- year history in Laos, though many rely heavily on external funding. New and existing dialogue platforms—such as the Sub-Sector Working Group on Agroecology (SSWG-AE), Lao Farmer Association, and ALiSEA —play a pivotal role in connecting policymakers, farmers, NGOs, and donors.
– Effective dialogue requires true exchange, not one-way presentations; it should identify concrete questions, ensure diverse participation, and strengthen multi-sector, multi-level engagement. Youth, women, ethnic minorities, and private sector actors are under-represented and need stronger inclusion measures.
– Organising dialogue well—through accessible venues, skilled facilitation, breakout sessions, and clear follow-up—builds trust and ensures knowledge translates into action.

Linking Agroecological Transition to Sustainable Food Systems at Territorial Level: Main Challenges in Xiengkhouang Province, Lao PDR

– Food system in Xiengkhouang province relies mainly on subsistence agriculture. Families mainly eat what they grow, and complete their diet with some wild food.
– The rapid shift toward commercial agriculture has improved the livelihood of the population but has also sustainability challenges : lack of dietary diversity, limited nature-based food production, vulnerability of small farmers, increased food safety risks.
– Agroecological initiatives implemented in the province do not fully address these issues.
– Specific research programs have to be developed to propose avenues to better link food system sustainability issues and the projects aiming at supporting the agroecological transition.