Extension approaches to scaling out livestock production in northern Lao PDR

The aim of this project is to adapt best practice extension and capacity building approaches for scaling out livestock production across five northern provinces in Lao PDR. The approaches were developed by AusAid (FLSP) and ACIAR projects in two of these provinces from 2000 to 2005. During the reporting period, the project focussed on three key activities in relation to objective 1 and two key activities under objective 2.

Objective 1 is to adapt livestock extension approaches to eleven targeted poor districts in northern Lao PDR. During 2007, the Lao project team assisted with extension training for 24 new district extension staff working across six districts at two workshops. Training in how to plan and conduct cross visits for farmers was then held in each district. Mentor staff from the ADB Capacity Building project held two cross visits to demonstrate best practice elements of farmer to farmer learning involving 40 farmers. Trainee staff then organised cross visits for farmers in their own districts totalling 180 farmers.

Thirteen extension staff were interviewed two months after both cross visit events to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses, and plan how to improve future events. The main benefits were that visiting farmers were able to see a wide range of livestock raising and trading systems, with clear Information and demonstrations on how to use forages for livestock fattening and animal health procedures (eg toxicara). Weaknesses included having too many people and not enough time for good farmer discussion and learning; low representation of women and lack of involvement of poor farmers and households.

The results of these interviews were used to improve cross visits for 2008 by allowing least two days for visiting host farmers, catering for needs of old people and women; having more than one host farmer at each village, and separating groups into those more interested in small and large animals. Trainee extension staff are now able to plan, prepare and conduct a cross visit, critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their cross visit and write a report. Gender equity is also being encouraged through staff training opportunities and supporting female college students who may be employed by the district offices.

Follow up of farmers who attended these cross visits revealed increased farmer awareness and confidence in cattle and buffalo fattening using forages; animal housing and watering systems (eg drippers for pigs); using manure for composting; drying grasses and stylo; managing forage plots; how to cut, carry and feed to animals and animal health techniques (vaccination, de-worming). An additional 163 farmers have been stimulated to adopt these practices in their own villages in Huaphan, Xieng Khouang and Luang Prabang provinces.

Objective 2 is to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a range of capacity building techniques for extension staff. Interviews with district and provincial staff were carried to explore the relative effectiveness of three methods being used for capacity building (workshops, monthly meetings and mentoring). Analysis revealed lack of time spent mentoring in distant districts and the importance of maintaining monthly meetings to share experiences. Workshops and site visits were rated as important for learning theory followed by practice. Results also showed that extension skills needing improvement include group facilitation, developing case studies, running field days, involving poor households, market information and animal health diagnosis.

Mentor extension staff who underwent livestock management and extension training in Australia increased their knowledge and skills in cattle breeding, nutrition, animal health, marketing and extension. They learnt how to plan and facilitate cattle production courses for producers using adult learning and teaching principles, accessing sound research and developing industry partnerships. The livestock officers plan to assist Lao farmers with bull selection, culling of non-pregnant cows, better heifer nutrition, preventative health treatments and experiment with making hay and silage.