SWG-ARD Meeting June 23, 2014 Secretariat’s presentation

1. SWG-ARD Meeting June 23, 2014 Secretariat’s presentation SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

2. Content • Update on SSWG activities / achievements since last meeting • SSWG – Uplands • SSWG – Agribusiness • SSWG – Agro Biodiversity • PRC – Policy Think Tank • MAF - Project Management Division (PMD) • ToR and main mandate • Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) • Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) • Implementation and monitoring of the VD-CAP • SWG Report to the MPI • Focus on research in the ARD sector SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

3. SSWG Uplands • Preparation of Uplands Development Strategy Action Plan & Investment Plan • Action Plan: consultation through focus group meetings and bilateral discussions with key ministries and DPs; • Investment Plan: First draft is now completed and presented to SSWG-Uplands on 24 June 2014; • Uplands research activities • 2013-2014 approved research proposals: 13 policy research studies: 10 through the Open Call and 3 through NAFRI/LARF; • 2014-2015: Open call for research proposals is underway; • Provincial coordination / SSWG-Up meetings • Northern province: meeting topics to address specific issues within their respective province and dates for the meeting were identified for Phongsaly, Luangprabangand Huaphanh; • Southern province: Attapeu identified meeting topics. Next meeting on the 24th of June will be dedicated to policy dialogue (UDS Actions & Investment Plans and Summary of policy recommendations based on research results from research financed by NUDP) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

4. SSWG Agribusiness 1. Support the development of Farmer Organizations (FOs) • Supported the establishment of Lao Farmers Network (LFN) - a network of 17 FO from 12 Provinces; • Supported organisational development of LFN and farmers exchange workshop on sustainable agriculture in Khoun; 2. Capitalisation on farmers’ and agribusiness development • A study on ‘approaches on supporting farmers organizations’ was done and findings shared with the SSWG members ; • Cases of “Public Private Partnership in Agriculture” capitalized and a guideline developed (by GIZ); 3. Information sharing and discussions • Continued operation of online discussion forum: LaoFAB and Lao LINK; • Continued operation and upgrading of online document repository: LaoFAB and Lao44. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

5. SSWG Agro Biodiversity Area covered and discussed 1. Status, utilization, management and development of Medicinal Plant (MP) in Lao PDR • Laws and regulations relevant to Local people, Industries, Regulatory Authorities; • Measures for promoting the registration of industries and products; • Awareness on the importance of conservation of MP resource for future generation; • Management, effective and sustainable cultivation, extraction, production and use of MP; • Industries’ contribution to the sustainable use of natural resources. 2. Lao rice biodiversity, rice breeding, certified/GI production of KhaoGaiNoi Rice • Various local varieties have been promoted and rice breeders are now starting to give more interest to Lao local genetic. • Khao Kai Noiis now being purified and selected in XKH and HPN. The aim is to develop a certified seed production system used by growers in these 2 Provinces: relying on GoLstations and seed producers association. A Protected Geographical Indication (GI) system is considered. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

6. Policy Think Tank (PTT) • NAFRI Policy Brief No. 17/2014 disseminated through NAFRI channel and negotiations under progress for dissemination by the MoH, through Nutrition Center / Education and Information Center (next presentation); • Capacity Development report of PTT completed; • Research Proposal on Contract Farming submitted to IFAD, under revision after comments received. Research to be led by CAP Vietnamese Research Institution; • Research Proposal on High Value Chains for Uplands completed and to be submitted to IFAD for funding. Research to be led by teams of NUOL and MAF; • Livestock and Livestock products development; • Benzoin resin scientific exploitation and marketing aspects; • Presentation of PTT completed in three venues: 15th Anniversary Conference at NAFRI, IWMI/WLE meeting and workshop on Pathways to access CC finances. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

7. MAF – DOPC*Project Management Division (1) The PMD wascreated in 2012, MAF Agreement No. 1884 / DOE, dated 09/8/2012 The PMD is part of the MAF DOPC* The PMD main function is to “coordinate with relevant stakeholders to establish mechanisms to manage, support monitor and evaluate ODA projects in the ARD sector”: • Promotealignment and harmonization • Manage and centralize information systems • Facilitateprocurementand easeassets management • Capitalize & disseminateexperience and lessonslearnt • Propose structural adjustment plans, budget and procurement plans complying with law and regulations in force * The Department of Planning and Cooperation (DoPC) is made of 8 Divisions and 1 IT Center => Administration => Finance => Planning => Project Management Division => Agricultural Investment => Vietnam, China Cooperation => Economic Integration => International Cooperation => Statistic & Information Center SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

8. Project Management Division (2)Structure The Project Management Division consists of 3 Sections and 6 Units as bellow 1. The section of monitoring and evaluation of project (ODA) • The monitoring and evaluation promotion unit • The coordination unit 2. The section of Financial Management and project procurement (ODA) • The financial and procurement unit • The account and bookkeeping monitoring unit 3. The section of Management Information System (MIS) • The Analysis and Research Unit (GIS / RS) • The Management and Information Services Unit SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

9. Project Management Division (3)focus on PROMIS Management and harmonization of M&E tools and standard Background: With support of FAO, a Project Management Information System (ProMIS) was developed to build MAF M&E capacity in line with the government policy and the Vientiane Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Objectives • Standardize Logical Framework for monitoring projects within Agriculture & Forestry Sector • Develop Tool for recording data and generating various reports on Project Monitoring The methodology of ProMIS system development relies on five components 1. Institutional component: (i)Ministerial instruction on ProMIS system was issued providing policy framework and transitional mandatory use of ProMIS functions; (ii) The PMD was established for managing and implementing the system. 2. Method: (i) M&E methods and tools must focus on results against planned targets; (ii) ProMISis developed, (iii) Pilot implementation in 3 provinces. 3. Training of MAF Staff: over 260 staff trained (central and local level); 4. Reporting: (i) Quarterly progress reports; (ii) Annual reports; (iii) Customized query based reports; 5. Mainstream ProMISsystem and make it gradually adopted by all ODA projects. * PROMIS isstillunderdevelopment and currentlyused by one ODA project (SSSJ) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

10. Project Management Division (5)M&E, questions and wayforward - Insufficient attention on LFA in design and implementation leads to weak M&E; - Government staff, particularly at sub-national levels receive limited training on M&E. the limited number of DAFO and PAFO staff across large ODA projects, each with own M&E requirements, limits effectiveness of M&E within and across sector; + Harmonized M&E system should provide potential and opportunities for improving capacity of MAF units for effective M&E; + As capacities develop and M&E system rolled out beyond pilot areas, MAF should gradually manage projects through better informed decision making. + M&E system development should strengthen MAF’s capacity for national ownership and management by providing a policy framework for harmonizing and integrating M&E of ODA funded projects into MAF management process. Question / to bediscussed: Establish a M&E working team within the MAF (?): Technical forum for knowledge exchange which will support the MAF in the monitoring, evaluation and reporting on projects under its mandate. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

11. VD-CAP and RTIM • The VDCAP wasrevisedthrough multi stakeholders’ consultation starting in 2013; • The revised VDCAP consists of 13 actions and 27 indicators classified under five principles as per the Paris Declaration. Some indicators reflect commitments and actions as specified under the Busan Framework. Numbers of key indicators have been changed for easy reference; • The VDCAP monitoring framework was developed and aims to: • Support accountability for the implementation of the VDCAP commitments and actions; • Stimulate multi-stakeholder dialogue at national and sectoral levels on how to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of development co-operation; • Promote agreements on specific actions that are needed to enhance successful implementation of VDCAP and support accountability at country level. ---------------- • The VDCAP monitoring frameworkincludesforms to befilledby the MoF, MOFA, SWGsand DPs. • The final, official version willbeshared by the MPI soon and posted on ourwebsite. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

12. Form to befilled by the SWG for the RTIM, available as handoutThe SWG secretariatwillcollect and compile these information SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

13. Focus on research in the ARD sector Research funds, topics, opportunities and initiatives are plenty and are scattered; We report below some significant research stakeholders in the ARD sector, more information on them and links are available on our website http://swgard.maf.gov.la • At government level NAFRI is the main body, often working in collaboration with the National University of Laos, the National Economic Research Institute, the Water Resources Environmental Agency and the DAEC; • Some important international and regional research partners of NAFRI are: ACIAR, CIAT, IWMI, IRRI, CIFOR, RECOFTC, RRI, Sumernet, CIRAD, and IRD; • Development partners and international organizations conduct and/or order research in the ARD sector, mainly for programming and M&E purpose: SDC, EU, JICA, AUSAID, GIZ, WB, ADB; • CSOs conduct research in the framework of their projects, usually focus on applied research and linked to their interventions: GRET, SNV, OXFAM, LIWG, SAEDA, LBA, Helvetas, CARE, Save the Children; • There are also foundations research: Foundation Merieux, Pasteur Institute, Asia Foundation. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

14. Thank you Some important contacts (June 2014) Secretariat SWG-ARD : swgard.secretariat@gmail.com SecretariatSSWG Uplands: nudpnpco@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Agri-Business: subswgab@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Agrobiodiversityabd.sswg@gmail.com Coordinator Policy Think Tank: khamphou_p@hotmail.com MAF-DIC Mail: laomafdici@yahoo.com SWG-ARD Web site: http://swgard.maf.gov.la SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014

15. Lao Extension for Agriculture Project (LEAP) Movie SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2014