The document summarizes a field guide for planning socially responsible agricultural investments in Laos. It was developed through a multi-stakeholder process led by Village Focus International, drawing on experiences visiting several existing investment sites. The field guide is intended as a practical tool for agricultural investors seeking to invest or expand operations in Laos according to the country's priorities and international guidance. It outlines five guiding principles and steps investors should take at each stage of the project cycle to ensure investments are responsible and benefit local communities. The field guide was tested with a Chinese banana company and feedback will be used to further improve the tool.

1. Field Guide for Planning a Socially
Responsible Agricultural
Investment in Lao PDR
2ND REGIONAL LAND FORUM, BANGKOK
29 MAY 2018
BY: VANIDA KHOUANGVICHIT & JUSTINE SYLVESTER
VILLAGE FOCUS INTERNATIONAL, LAO PDR

2. Background of the Field Guide
 Draws on experiences & lessons of the Responsible
Agricultural Investment (RAI) Working Group from 2015 –
2018
 This multi-stakeholder group visited several investment sites in
Laos & met with companies, local government & communities
affected by agricultural investment
 Aims to strengthen responsible business policies & practices in
Laos

3. Background of the Field Guide
 Designed as a practical
tool for agricultural
investors seeking to
invest or expand
operations in Laos
 Also a useful reference
tool for other actors
working on RAI
The Field Guide is available in 3 languages:
Lao, Chinese & English

4. Why is a Field Guide needed?
 Agricultural investment has
brought economic growth for
some, but also created land
tenure insecurity for some rural
communities
 Plenty of global guidance
available, but not context-
specific for Laos
Learning about coffee investment in Laos

5. How was the Field Guide developed?
 Multi-stakeholder process, led by VFI with inputs from:
Government agencies
Agribusinesses
Civil society organisations
Donors / development partners
Research institutions

6. Testing the Field Guide
 The Field Guide was tested
in Oudomxay province
(northern Laos)
 The team gathered
feedback from local
government agencies and a
Chinese banana company
Banana plantation in Oudomxay

7. Content of the Field Guide
 Section I: Who should use this
Field Guide, and why?
 Mainly for agricultural
investors in Laos
 Lao national priorities
 International guidance
The Field Guide is based on global guidance

8. Content of the Field Guide
 Section II: Guiding Principles
1. Consultation & participation of local
communities
2. Transparency
3. Respect for tenure of land, natural
resources & water
4. Continuous improvement
5. Multi-stakeholder approach

9. Content of the Field Guide
 Section III: RAI
throughout the project
cycle
Description of the 4
stages
Steps to take

10. Content of the Field Guide
 Section IV: Annexes
Checklist of Lao policies, laws
& regulations
Directory of useful global
guidance
Example of a community
communications tool used by a
company in Laos 

11. What’s next for the Field Guide?
Further ‘field testing’ with
companies and other stakeholders
Integrating into a ‘investor package’
of information given by MPI to
potential investors seeking to invest
(responsibly) in Laos
Coffee from an investment in Laos

12. Thank you for your attention
Any comments or questions?
Oudomxay Province, rice fields with banana plantation in background