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The GEF full-size Project (FSP), ‘Strengthening agro-climatic monitoring and information systems (SAMIS) to improve adaptation to climate change and food security in Lao PDR’ has already conducted multiple missions related to knowledge management. The first mission was conducted in Luang Namtha Province from May 20 to 26, 2018. The second short mission focused on the Savannakhet Province and was held from May 27 to 29, 2018. Finally, a third mission was held in the Saravan Province from July 14 to 20, 2018.

In Luang Namtha, the mission joined with the team from the Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM) of MAF. The team was in the field for the preparation of sampling for soil mapping. The mission undertook focus group questionnaires for assessment of how farmers receive and manage information, and established a factual work relationship with CARE International in Sing District, and with the Lutheran World Federation and WFP staff in Nalae district.

This mission was held in conjunction with one staff member from the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO), one from the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO), one from the Provincial Office for Natural Resources and Environment (PONRE) and one from the District Office for Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE), including Luang Namtha, Sing and Nalae districts. This team supported the SAMIS team in coordinating at village level (two villages per district). The villages were selected by PAFO staff at the Division of Agriculture and Land Development, and PONRE staff at the Division of Meteorology and Hydrology, Luang Namtha district, Luang Namtha Province. Villagers feel very happy and excited that they will get to know weather information in advance for the next cropping season.

In Savannakhet, the mission joined with CAWA members from May 27 to 29, 2018 in order to present the result of a vulnerability assessment for the decision-making of farmers and long-term planning for climate change.

In Saravan, the purpose of the mission was the undertaking of the focus group to use a simple household questionnaire for assessment of how farmers receive information, and the establishment of a factual work relationship with PAFO and WFP staff; the mission was joined by one PONRE, one DAFO, one DONRE and two PAFO staff members to support data collection from two villages near the Boulaven Plateau of Paksong district. The initial results of the study have shown that they would like to receive information through loud speakers in the village.