Five priority actions frame efforts to reduce the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use in Lao PDR while supporting a transition towards agroecology. Developed by the Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA) and the Sustainable Agriculture & Environment Development Association (SAEDA), this 2025 policy paper addresses pesticide governance alongside practical measures to encourage safer and more sustainable agricultural practices.

The proposed actions include stronger enforcement of existing pesticide regulations and the establishment of national monitoring systems to improve oversight of pesticide use. The paper also calls for greater support for farmer-led agroecological practices, safer approaches to contract farming and stronger protection for vulnerable groups exposed to pesticide-related risks. Together, these measures connect regulatory action with changes at farm and community levels, recognizing that reducing pesticide dependence requires both an enabling policy environment and viable alternatives for producers.

Developed with contributions from GRET and ALiSEA, the resource places pesticide management within Lao PDR’s broader national and international commitments. Its emphasis on supportive policies and bottom-up approaches highlights the importance of combining institutional regulation with farmers’ knowledge and participation. Available in English and Lao, the paper provides policy guidance for strengthening pesticide management while creating conditions for wider adoption of agroecological practices.