The Challenge

The Program's mission is to improve the livelihoods and food security of rural communities in tropical uplands by generating methods, tools, and knowledge that would permit planning collective activities for managing natural resources and reducing environmental degradation.

A Project for Southeast Asian Uplands: Participatory Research for Development in the Uplands

Despite the considerable advances so far made, poverty still remains high in the upland rural areas of Southeast Asia, particularly among minority ethnic groups. Major lending agencies are now devoting considerable attention to developing new approaches for poverty alleviation, including consulting the poor about their problems and possible solutions. Rural communities need to be strengthened at the village level so they can play a greater role in working toward more sustainable livelihoods.

The project "Participatory Research for Development in the Uplands" (PRDU) is a joint effort between CIAT and the International Potato Center (CIP, its Spanish acronym). It will work alongside the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with five of its investment projects operating in China, Laos, and Vietnam. Its overall goal is to improve the sustainability of livelihoods of resource-poor farmers working steep upland areas by introducing technical innovations built on indigenous knowledge. It also aims to demonstrate institutional innovations that would facilitate development. Focus sites will be selected within each project area for later training of staff in IFAD projects, and to disseminate and adapt emerging technologies.

CIAT and CIP have developed integrated systems for managing crops, forages, and pests. These systems can increase productivity and income, and reduce risks. CIAT and CIP have also refined approaches for introducing participatory methodologies to researchers and development workers, establishing small agroenterprises with local communities, and introducing participatory monitoring and evaluation methods to development projects. Research and development activities will be implemented largely through partnerships with national governmental organizations working at provincial and district levels. The project will also foster links with other CGIAR centers, such as IRRI, ILRI, and CIMMYT, who have inputs that would benefit rural communities.

IFAD is funding PRDU for 2003 to 2007 under grant number TAG-607, Programme for Integrated Upland Agriculture Development Using Participatory Approaches in China, Laos and Viet Nam.

CIAT Contact

Keith Fahrney
Agronomist and Project Coordinator
P.O. Box 783
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Phone: +856 (21) 770090
Fax: +856 (21) 770091
E-mail: k.fahrney@cgiar.org

Lao Thao
Project Assistant
P.O. Box 783
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Phone: +856 (21) 770090
Fax: +856 (21) 770091
E-mail: l.thao@cgiar.org