Lao PDR is considered “mega-bio-diverse” country. Agro-biodiversity is a key for food and income security especially for the rural poor in the uplands of Laos. In recent years rural production patterns have shifted from subsistence to commercial orientation, largely driven by Foreign Direct Investments, transforming multifunctional landscapes into homogenous plantation schemes, mostly dominated by export products like rubber, sugar and biofuel. The challenge is how to adapt the use of the country’s agro-biodiversity and rice-based farming systems to meet the national development goals— including the reduction of poverty and support to rural livelihoods —to provide an attractive alternative to industrial crops.

To contribute to poverty alleviation and improved livelihoods of upland communities through sustainable management and use of agro-biodiversity in multifunctional landscapes.

Outcome 1: Options and systems for ABD-based productive activities are designed, demonstrated and applied by upland farming communities and other stakeholders. Outcome 2: Participatory forest and land use planning ensures village agricultural land and forest resource tenure and sustainable management Outcome 3: Integrated spatial planning and ABD knowledge management and exchange tools support evidence based decision-making. Outcome 4: Government policies promote ABD conservation and sustainable use, and land management, for improved food security and livelihoods in upland communities. Outcome 5: Partner institutions incorporate and use ABD tools and concepts for uplands livelihoods development

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), NIRAS NATURA.

TABI will directly and indirectly impact upland households in Laos. Direct activities are implemented in target areas (for ex. 9,000 HH, 114 villages for FLUP implementation). The indirect impact is through strategic collaboration wherein TABI provides capacity building, technical know- how and backstopping. Capacity Building 55 professionals trained in FLUP (at least 25 in TABI target districts, 30 in other areas) At least 200 professionals trained in TABI’s results-based management system.

TABI Phase1 has demonstrated the potential of an agro- biodiversity-based development approach as a key to livelihoods improvement in the uplands of Laos. Phase1 combined a variety of tools, approaches, and activities. The tools developed ranged from high-quality spatial information management at the national level to landscape- and village-level planning (in 37 villages) to farm-level ABD based economic options. Together, these tools present the pieces of a strategy that can be used to meet national development goals, including environmental sustainability and viable rural livelihoods for the rural poor. A broader result from Phase 1 is the beginning of a shift in attitudes and a growing appreciation for the value of ABD among Agriculture Authorities and political decision makers (Nat. Assembly).