 |
|
|
|
Enhancing the Agricultural Economics Research Capacity in Laos
8,000,000 yen [Grant Project]
National University of Lao PDR (NUL)
In Laos, agricultural products account for 50% of GDP, and the modernization of the agricultural sector is one of the most important tasks for Laos to achieve. It is important that not only irrigation technology be developed, but also the logistics and taxation systems need to be studied in order to modernize the agricultural sector. However, NUL has only offered agricultural economics studies since 2004, and lacks experts in this area. The project aims to strengthen the intellectual basis for the modernization of the Laotian agriculture sector by helping NUL conduct case studies, prepare papers and develop teaching materials.
The following activities are planned for the final year of the project.
- Workshop and Liaison Meeting (May 2007, Vientiane)
(1) Two foreign experts will be invited as lecturers for a workshop, where theories to conduct case studies and data analyses will be systematically covered and instilled (2 days, with roughly twenty trainees).
(2) Building on the results of the above, the framework for researches in this year will be ascertained (in one day). About twenty participants from core research team are expected. Target agricultural product includes aromatic plants, cassava, sugarcane and corn.
- Case Studies, Papers, Teaching Materials Development and Publication
Based on the research framework set above, study teams set up for each product will lead fact-finding survey focusing on the distribution of the crops. Furthermore, the outcome of three-year study, including the analysis of this research work, will be captured in a report. Additionally, a textbook of agricultural economy, the first of its kind in Lao, will be developed collaborating with the National Agricultural and Forestry Institute (NAFRI).
- Study Tour (July 2007, 7 days, Thailand)
A total of 20 teachers, consisting of four mid-level and 16 young peers, will observe and learn about the current status of research and education of the study of agricultural economy.
- Report Meeting (February 2008, Vientiane)
A report meeting will be organized to publicly share the fruits of three-year activities, and 50 people in total, including the foreign experts, domestic researchers and policy-makers will be invited. The report that will have been developed in Step 2 will be modified reflecting discussions in the report meeting, and the outcome will be carried by an academic journal of NAFRI.
(Final year of a 3-year project)
|
|
|
|
|
|
