A reflection workshop was held with Lao farmers from diverse backgrounds on 27-28 April, 2022 to get their comprehensive feedback on the draft of new agribusiness training modules being developed by the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College (NAFC) in close collaboration with FAO, the Lao Farmer Network (LFN), Lao Upland Rural Advisory Services (LURAS) and the Department of Agricultural Extension and Cooperatives (DAEC). The workshop was held at the NAFC’s campus in Luangprabang province and was attended by 34 participants (22 participants, or 65% of whom were women) representing individual farmers, farmer cooperatives and the participating organizations: NAFC, LFN, LURAS and DAEC.

With the facilitation support of FAO’s TAP-AIS project, the LFN and LURAS team applied a participatory and interactive approach to help NAFC share their outline for the agribusiness training modules under development and receive comments and feedback from attending farmer groups as well as other national and international partners. Invited farmers and other experts contributed with their practical knowledge and experiences in supporting smallholder farmers to develop agribusiness and market-oriented skills. The feedback and contributions made during this meeting will be used to further develop and finalize the agribusiness and market-oriented training modules and make them more practically feasible and respond to the needs of smallholder farmers, in particular women farmers, in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Mr. Khammoun (Lao Farmer Network President)