This document summarizes lessons learned from the LEAP project and how they will inform the new LURAS project in Laos. It discusses that LEAP helped change extension services to be more group-based, needs-based, and participatory. It also notes trends like improved infrastructure, new agribusinesses, and stronger farmer organizations that mean farmers now access information and services differently. The LURAS project will build on continuity with LEAP partners and principles while focusing more on farmer organizations and demand-driven activities. The goal is to provide a better project with a wider range of service providers, greater choice for farmers, and stronger stakeholder collaboration and connections.

1. From LEAP to LURAS:
lessons and differences
Inception Workshop
25 February 2015

2. Overview
 Experience - what we learned from the past
 Trends – why the future will be different
 Continuity - what is the same as LEAP
 Change – what is new in LURAS

3. Experience

4. Experience
 The most important outcome of LEAP was the
development of the Lao Extension Approach, which
was introduced in 17 Provinces.
 Over a period of more than 10 years, LEAP helped to
change the way in which extension services are
provided across the country, making them more …
 Group based
 Needs based
 Participatory
 Studies were carried out in 2013 to identify the
‘Lessons from LEAP’

5. LEA is more effective if…
 Careful planning is carried out:
 Objectives are clear at local level
 Technical content is appropriate for location
 More time is invested in the process:
 Greater frequency of visits
 Longer duration of support
 Greater inclusiveness on interventions
 DAFO staff speak local language
 Strong involvement of women
 Low opportunity costs of participation
 Few alternatives to rice/pigs/chickens
 Little competition from rich projects

6. Trends

7. Trends
A lot of things have changed in the past 10 years:
 Better infrastructure - eg. roads, electricity, mobile
phones
 New types of agribusiness - concessions, contract
farming, land leasing
 Farmer Organisations – many groups have been
created, and they are getting stronger
Farmers now get information, inputs and services
from the private sector, and from each other
They don’t need the same type of extension
service as provided 10 years ago!

8. Policy has changed
Strategy for Agricultural Development, 2011 to 2025
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) will
transition from being a provider of public services to a
regulator of private sector involvement in service
provision and facilitator of emerging new service
providers; also by devolving gradually the provision of
services to farmer organizations.

9. Continuity

10. Continuity
The LURAS partners are ‘old friends’: DAEC,
Helvetas, SNV, PAFOs, CLICK, GDG, SAEDA
The principles of LEA will still be applied: services
will be group-based, needs based and
participatory
Like LEAP, the new project is focussed on learning
activities, not providing farmers with inputs or
credit.
LURAS will also make use of the methods for
strengthening value chains that were developed
under SADU and EMRIP

11. Building on our strengths
NAFES has become DAEC… LURAS will support
the implementation of the new mandate
Capacity has already been built in PAFOs and
DAFOs… LURAS will make use of this capacity
The Lao Farmer Network has been established …
LURAS will strengthen their operations
CLICK, GDA and SAEDA have gained experience…
LURAS will provide them with new opportunities
Helvetas and SNV successfully collaborated in the
past… LURAS will repeat this success in future

12. Change
Better
Services

13. Change
Capacity building in LURAS is focussed more on
Farmer Organisations, less on PAFOs and DAFOs
Activities will be funded on a demand-driven
basis. No guaranteed budget. Proposals must be
submitted with clearly defined outputs.
Focal Districts have been suggested in the project
document, but flexibility is needed. We will plan
according to FOs and VCs, not ‘target villages’.
Collaboration and networking with other
stakeholders and projects is essential, not
optional.

14. A Better Project!
Wider range of service providers
Greater choice of technical content
Deeper understanding of markets
Increased activity by farmer groups
Stronger involvement of women
More connections between stakeholders
Better information for all decision makers
And most important…
… more satisfied farmers!