Blog Post #33 - Sustainable Development in Attapeu Province

After the trip to Pakse, I had to jump on a 5-hour bus to Attapeu to facilitate a two-day workshop with government agriculture extension staff in the province. Attapeu is a small city with maybe a population around 30,000. Similar to Xiengkhouang in northern Laos, it is almost entirely agriculture-based and is relatively poor compared to the rest of the country.

Despite the poor quality of the bus, I was fortunate to have these two cute faces looking
at me for roughly 2 hours of the total 5 hour trip

The bus was a tight squeeze

...but I arrived in great spirits

I openly admit I am not very qualified to be facilitating a workshop on sustainable development in agriculture, but when specifically asked, I was not going to turn down the opportunity. I kept materials at a high-level not only for the audience's sake but also for my own. I also focused material around the business principles of the value chain, marketing, quality, production planning, and cost management. These were concepts I was much more qualified to provide insight on.

We had a full-house of Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO) staff

They were eager to learn and brainstorm ways to help their farmers overcome some of their challenges

Below is a sample selection of the presented materials. They were all translated into Laos and I had a translator on hand to help drive the discussion. It was important the presentation was not a one-way dialogue, but much more focused around group brainstorming and finding actionable ways for them to implement change. 

The three pillars of sustainable development: environmental protection, shared economic benefits and community relationship building were the prime focus of the discussion. I also provided a number of success stories from around the world, and asked to hear why they thought some of their past projects were successful.

(apart from the cartoon visuals, all the pictures are my own from past trips across Laos)

One of the major challenges the staff regularly mentioned was poor prices for produce. I recommended they break down the problem to start identifying the root cause (e.g. quality, competition, etc.)

Based on the crops the farmers grow, there is great potential to improve commercial opportunities and livelihoods

Very animated with the hand gestures. Hopefully they helped keep the audience awake

If the only smile was not bold enough, I threw up the thumbs to make up for everyone else's stern look
(for the official government photo I did not have the thumbs up, but not going to sacrifice the smile so easily)

The two-day workshop occupied most of my available time, but we also had time in the evenings for some fun. I had to be extra prepared with my stick in case I bumped into a pack of stray dogs.

Ridin dirty

I became a resident DJ for the evening at the only 'nightclub' in the city....
crickets both as snack and from the non-existent crowd

Way too many people asking for selfies

Blog Post #32 - Fun and (Mill) Runs in Pakse

Until this week I have not had the opportunity to visit southern Laos. It is far from the Khao Kai Noy (KKN) paddy fields of Xiengkhouang in northern Laos. But as I develop a stronger network in Laos, I was lucky to be connected with a firm that operates the largest and most sophisticated milling operation in the country. 

Pakse is not far from my next stop in Attapeu

The arranged meeting was an opportunity to tell the unique story of KKN and determine whether there is interest to purchase 'large' quantities of paddy at future harvests (November / December each year). Although informal, with data gathering a primary focus of both parties, the obvious traction of the LOPA business is exciting. 

I barely have any spare clothes because my bag from Vientiane was full of KKN samples

Different varieties of sticky rice grow in southern Laos....
but nothing compares to Khao Kai Noy (but I may be a bit biased)

LOPA is a credible organization with a premium, niche sticky rice product. Growing interest, not only from southern Laos, is a sign that the organization may quickly become a sticky rice force to be reckoned with. LOPA's success will ultimately mean market access and improved livelihoods for the farmers that SAEDA has spent years supporting in sustainable agriculture and organic practices. 

I am fortunate to say that I have played a small part in the puzzle that is the KKN value chain. But we are far from throwing a sticky rice party (which you can only imagine get pretty crazy). There is much work to be done and we are a long way from any formal commitments being made.

Stacks on stacks of paddy rice

Imagine having a business lunch with this view

Considering obvious sensitivities with full business planning transparency, I will not go into further detail about the outcome of the meetings. At this stage it is pretty unexciting anyways. Instead I will shift focus, and share pictures and stories from the short amount of tourist travel I was able to do while in Pakse.

The surrounding area of Pakse is famous for some stunning waterfalls (Salavan Province, Champasak Province, Sekong Province).

Less water during the dry season but still impressive

Even the monks have selfie sticks

Which do you prefer?
The BeerLao waterfall shot from Luang Prabang or this one from Salavan Province?

Took an evening walk to the bridge over the Mekong to watch the sunset

A short distance outside of Pakse is the Bolaven Plateau. This elevated region of southern Laos is the heart of coffee growing in the country.

Coffee from Laos is still quite unknown on the world stage but that may soon change due to the hard work of cooperatives like this one on the Bolaven Plateau

A small little roastery in the countryside
Had an AMAZING cup of coffee here

If only more companies had business models and missions like Jhai Coffee House

Coffee cherries everywhere!

Coffee beans drying along the side of the road is also a common sight

As you drive through the countryside, there are many opportunities to stop at small villages. It was an amazing day of exploring! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly

Laughing at my Lao accent
(that is tapioca drying around them)

Quite the pipe
(I may have added the sunglasses)

I was also really lucky that my free time overlapped with the Wat Phu Festival. Wat Phu is a short distance away in the Champasak Province countryside. The temple was built by the Angkors, is older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and today is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Not as impressive as Angkor Wat but definitely worth the trip

Climbing stairs to get some great views

Okay, maybe one or two selfies

"Saibaidee nong sigh" (hello little brother)

Evening lantern festival

The temple made for an impressive backdrop...
if only I had a better camera

Full moon in the background

Ours did not catch fire before liftoff...unlike some others

In the next few days, stay tuned for my post with an overview on the sustainable development workshop I just facilitated in Attapeu. Heading to the airport now for a flight back to Vientiane.

Blog Post #31 - Rice Modeling

In case the export business does not go as planned, I may have a promising career as a rice model. It may not pay the bills yet, but at least my organization now has some great marketing materials for the domestic market.

Pictures do tell a thousand words

Nothing quite like a KHAO KAI NOY disco PARTY!

Looking the wrong way bowling with my KKN

Always must rock the bucket hat when fighting rice fires 

I'll do anything to get me that KKN

It caught me by surprise

Small neck, but a big package...of rice (2 kg)

The wind gets in my hair when I am flying my rice kite

"I pledge allegiance to the bag of Khao Kai Noy. And to the paddy from which it grows. One seed under sod. Short grain with husk and bran for all"

Just a couple of rice dealers from Milling Bad

"To the paddy and beyond!"

Even the zombies from the Walking Dead enjoy a mouth full of KKN
(they have a bit too much chili powder on their hands)

Provocative (and cheesy) ...

...but who pulled it off better?
(my rice hat works wonders protecting my face, but talk about a full body farmers tan)

Everyone needs a special someone on Valentine's Day

I am now off to Pakse (southern Laos) to visit a large European miller, then on to Attapeu (near the Cambodian border) to facilitate a workshop on sustainable development in vegetable and rice farming (I may not be the least qualified to host such a workshop, but I'm pretty close).

Finally I will be heading back up north to Xiengkhouang, the home of my lover KKN.  We will be collecting market data from farmers, millers and prospective value chain partners. Busy couple of weeks ahead but I will keep you posted on the Khao Kai Noy action (outside of the bedroom).

Happy February!