Twenty-one contextualized indicators translate the 13 agroecology principles of the High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) into a practical method for assessing agroecology at village level. Tested in 16 villages across three districts of Xiengkhouang Province, Lao PDR, the approach uses focus group discussions with village committees and district extension agents. It was designed as a less resource-intensive alternative to conventional assessment methods, enabling broader geographical coverage while generating empirical information for policy and practice.

The indicators and related questions are organized around four entry points for transformative action: land use and governance, farm management, social interactions and socio-economic conditions. Results from the pilot application placed the participating villages at an intermediate agroecological level. The approach produced comparable findings on potential entry points for action in individual villages, supporting its reliability. It also showed potential for characterizing progress across the 13 agroecology principles and monitoring changes over time. The authors note that it can be combined with other methods where more detailed assessment is required or when working across larger territories.

Published in 2024, the research was conducted by specialists affiliated with CDE, IRD, the National University of Laos (NUOL) and DLAM/MAE Laos. The methodology emphasizes participatory assessment, knowledge co-production and collaboration between local communities, extension services and researchers.