Achievements and Lessons Learned from LEAP

Achievements and Lessons Learned from LEAP

Presented at the LEAP lessons learned and closing workshop

8 May 2014, Vientiane

Rakesh MunankamiTeam Leader, LEAP

Presented at the LEAP lessons learned and closing workshop

8 May 2014, Vientiane

Rakesh MunankamiTeam Leader, LEAP

Outline of Presentation

Project Overview

Project Achievements

Project Lessons Learned

Project Overview

Project started in 2001 (NAFES estd. )

Project Goal“ To contribute to the development of a decentralised, participatory, pluralistic and sustainable agriculture extension system that is capable of benefitting poorer households and communities, and reaches male and female farmers equally “

Project Overview

Phase 52012 - 2014

Completion Phase

Phase 42008 - 2012

Refinement Phase

Phase 32008

Alignment Phase

Phase 12001 - 2004Pilot Phase

Phase 22005 - 2007

Expansion Phase

Project Overview

Phase 12001 - 2004Pilot Phase

Phase 22005 - 2007

Expansion Phase

• Developed and tested participatory extension methodology in 3 Provinces

• Lao Extension Approach – LEA was endorsed by MAF

• LEA introduced in other 14 Provinces by NAFES

• Secretariat of Sub Working Group on Farmers and Agribusiness

Project Overview

• Supported scaling up on LEA

• Develop a new phase aligning with the new MAF policy and structure

• First partnership with a NPA was signed

• Completion of LEA expansion

• Development of LEA plus (strengthening Farmers Organization, Linkages with markets and promote the role of women)

• Collaboration with NPAs and private sector

Phase 42008 - 2012

Refinement Phase

Phase 32008

Alignment Phase

Project Overview

• Completion of field activities

• Support organizational transition of NAFES to DAEC

• Capitalization of lessons and closure of the project

Phase 52012 - 2014

Completion Phase

Project target areas

Covered all 17 Provinces

40 districts

Project Achievements

1. Built capacity of Government Extension Staffs and Smallholder Farmers

Project Achievements

2. Strengthen Farmers’ Organisation and their Network

Project Achievements

3. Developed and Disseminated Information Materials and Networks

Usefulness of LEA tools

Project Achievements

4. Capitalise field studies to support evidence based policy making

Project Achievements

5. Promote the role of women in agriculture

Project Achievements

6. Develop DAEC Extension Strategy

Lessons Learned

1. Working with diverse partners (GES, private sector, NPAs, FO) complement capacities and help deliver wide ranges of demand driven services

2. Success highly depends on time spent – frequency of visit to farmers and duration of support

Lessons Learned

3. Interventions are more inclusive when DAFO staff were local – speak the local language and women

4. Provision of inputs is not the only key success factor

Lessons Learned

5. Balance intervention on capacity building of service providers and target groups

Thank You Thank You