Event background
Maize is the second most important cereal in Laos after rice, driven primarily by the demand for animal feed in neighboring countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Laos has an export-oriented maize sector, with most of the production destined for these markets. The sector touched its peak in 2016, reaching 0.26 million hectares in area, 1.55 million metric tons in production, and 6.00 metric tons per hectare in productivity. Over 90% of the maize production relies on rain-fed agriculture, with maize grain and stover serving as the primary source of feed for smallholder farmers, who depend on integrated crop and livestock farming for their livelihoods.
In line with these efforts, the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) and CIMMYT are evaluating high-yielding maize hybrids for grain and stover quality. In 2023, twelve yellow-kernel maize hybrids developed by the CIMMYT-Asia breeding program were evaluated in Laos, and the same set of hybrids will also be evaluated in 2024 to identify stable and suitable hybrids for the mixed farming system of Laos. To strengthen the capacity of NAFRI and other stakeholders for the development and seed production of the new hybrids, NAFRI and CIMMYT, under the CGIAR Mixed Farming Systems (MFS), Seed Equal and Plant Health Initiatives, will organize an international training workshop and stakeholder consultations on “Enhancing Access to Quality Maize Seed and Feed in the Crop-Livestock Farming System of Lao PDR.”
Workshop
The international training workshop and stakeholder consultations provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences through multiple engagement formats, which include group discussions, lectures, and assignments that allow to apply the knowledge and principles learned during the workshop.
The first day is dedicated to an interactive discussion with key stakeholders and value chain actors where parallel group sessions will be held to deep dive into the various components of the maize sector. The remaining two days will encompass a wide spectrum of essential components of quality hybrid seed production, understanding product profiles and market segments, understanding the economics of hybrid maize seed production, and seed quality assurance.
Participants will be maize researchers, extension agents, input traders, and other technical persons from NAFRI, department of agriculture, department of extension, and higher learning institutions, among others.
The training workshop will be held from 7- 9 May 2024 in Vientiane, Laos.
Click here to download the event’s flyer with an agenda and RSVP information.
