District Agriculture & Forestry Offices (3)
Continuing from the Vol.19 & 20, we are focusing on District Agriculture & Forestry Office
(DAFO) which are striving for technical advice and guidance to farmers at district level. As
of July 2021, Savan PAD Project has been expanding their Target Sites into 12 sites under
9 districts in Savannakhet Province. Kaisone Phomvihane and Thapangthong are those of
the second-oldest districts of which the project commenced activities since June 2018.
Savan PAD
The Newsletter
August 31, 2021 21
Overall
Kaisone Phomvihane District is the capital of
Savannakhet Province of which location is closest to the
biggest economic area in the province.
Along with the key word, “From ‘Grow and Sale’ into
‘Grow for Sale’”, Savan PAD is assisting mainly in
marketing field to improve farmers’ production and sales
skills of their safe & organic vegetables.
Marketing / Horticultural Activities in Phonsim
- Phonsim Organic Vegetable Production Group is frequently
receiving visitors from other areas for their farm observation
or Farmer-to-Farmer Training as a leading group of
horticultural production under Savan PAD.
- Group member of vegetable production increased:
6 households (in 2018) à 23 households (in 2021)
- Expanding sales of organic vegetables widely to:
direct shop in Phonsim Village, vegetable market in town
area, restaurants, and so on.
- Attempting the role as hub of linkage among other areas’ vegetable farmers’ groups as
well as hub of distribution to customers.
- Currently focusing on production plan as group for stable vegetable supply to market.
Kaisone Phomvihane DAFO
Mr. Ounkham
Director of Kaisone
Phomvihane DAFO
Project’s Target Site : Phonsim
Kaisone Phomvihane District is the capital of
Savannakhet Province where is a focal point of
agricultural production and its sales. Though
there once was an idea of production base of
organic vegetables at 4 villages in the district,
only Phonsim farmers’ group has been
continuing their business successfully.
With the skills & experiences acquired through Savan PAD Project,
they are currently expanding sales channels and keen on corresponding
to market’s needs further more. It is hoped such lessons & experiences
could contribute more for instructing other areas.
Kaisone DAFO staffs
visiting Phonsim Farmers’ Group
Savan PAD The Newsletter
The Project for Participatory Agriculture in Savannakhet Province (Savan PAD)
P.O.Box 16, Provincial Irrigation Section, Provincial Agriculture & Forestry Office,
Savannakhet Province (Tel : 041-252497)
Mr. Sonekham
Deputy Director of
Thapangthong DAFO
The characteristic of Thapangthong is
irrigation system utilizing the water from
Xesalalong Dam. The water is released from
dam toward downstream without pumping up
and no cost of electricity incurred which means
quite cost advantageous. On the other hand,
there are several challenges in agricultural
production compare to other sites of Savan PAD.
Thus, we would like to strengthen more in increasing productivity by
sharing other sites’ skills & experiences of success as well as learning
techniques through trainings.
Marketing / Horticultural
Crop Production
- Safe Vegetable Production
Group was established in
2019 formed by several
vegetable farmers.
Vegetable sales status at their farmers’ store is
favorable, 2-4 times increasing.
(Comparison : before project’s support and 2020）
- 8 existing Greenhouses (rain shelter) plus
additional sets under installation at Target Site.
Number of Greenhouses will be 27 in total.
- Farmers’ increased
awareness remarkably
through study tours and
Farmer-to-Farmer Trainings
conducted by Project.
Thapangthong DAFO
Project’s Target Site : Xesalalong
Irrigation / Water User Group Strengthening
- WUG is trying to solve issues & improve
water management through WUG’s
meeting held more than twice a month.
- WUG and farmers are aware of water fee
collection. Current collection rate is 100%.
- Expansion of irrigated area at Target Site:
285ha à 861.2ha* (3 times)
*Comparison between 2017-18 & 2020-21dry seasons
- DAFO staffs worked on
measuring paddy field by
using GPS to make a precise
irrigation map for fair
collection of water users’ fee.
The work was completed
successfully by staffs’
enthusiasm & good efforts.
Agricultural Techniques (Rice Cultivation)
- Seed & Fertilizer Lending Program
conducted 5 times with participation of 364
households (almost all the households in
Target Site).
At present, the 6
th
program is on process.
- Yield in the Target Site increased 14%*
*Farmers’ interview results: 2018 & 2020 rainy seasons
- Attempting rice seed production due to
hard access to quality
seed from remote area
Overall
Although Thapangthong District is
away from center of province, it is on
the process of development such as
improving road access to Salavan
Province, establishment of
Agriculture Center, and so on.
Project’s Target Site, Xesalalong,
possesses vast farmland (2,000ha) in
the downstream of large dam. It is
one of the areas where has high
expectation for development in the
province.
Farmers practicing
how to make compost