Vientiane, Lao PDR – On 20 December 2022, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Department of Agricultural Land Management and the Natural Resources and Environment Statistic and Research Institute (NRERI) jointly organized a workshop to present the spatio-temporal dynamics of air pollution in Lao PDR and the contribution from various sectors, including the agricultural sector, using geospatial technologies. This study is a tripartite effort among FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MONRE) through the Natural Resources and Environment Statistic and Research Institute (NRERI) to investigate the air pollution dynamics of Lao PDR, given its increasing industrial and economic development and the use of frequent biomass burning as an agricultural practice.

The study integrates various data sources at national and global levels and uses geospatial technologies to support pollution mitigation strategies. The study focuses on five key components including spatio-temporal zoning, identification of air pollution hotspots, identification of potential drivers, statistical analysis of pollution indicators and potential drivers and the field data collection. 

Mr. Lonkham Atsanavong, Director General of Natural Resources and Environmental and Research Institute (NRERI), emphasized the importance of this study as it is in line with NRERI’s mandates in monitoring, controlling and reducing air pollution within the country, which is also part of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution that Lao PDR is the participating member.

The study results revealed that pollution indicators generally peak during the dry (November – April), and in particular, the burning (Feb-April) seasons and in north and central zones of the country. The provinces of Bokeo, Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Savanakhet are air pollution hotspots, while climate, agriculture production and fire activities are identified to have strongest impact on the pollution indicators. The most common cause of fires identified from the field activities is burning to clear land and post-harvest crop residue, for Luang Prabang and Savannakhet respectively. Transboundary pollution from neighboring countries is another important factor contributing to the air pollution in Lao PDR.

During the meeting, Mr. Thatheva Saphangthong, Deputy Director General of Department of Agricultural Land Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry shared his agreement with the study results on the agriculture production drivers and the farming practices in Lao PDR, where fire is one of the proxy factor for monitoring hotspots.

Mr. Chanthalath Pongmala, Assistant to the FAO Representative to Lao PDR highlighted that while we acknowledged the traditional farming practices of local people, it is important to increase the awareness of air pollution and the impact of open burning for local communities, national and sub-national staff as well as alternatives approaches to pollution, replacement of open biomass burning overtime and introduction of appropriate alternative farming practices in the local context.

This study is very informative, innovative and complex considering the integration of information from different sectors, Mr. Matieu Henry, FAO Technical Officer said, and being the first study on this topic in the region. He encouraged using innovative technologies and approaches for monitoring air quality and its drivers as well as to use the comprehensive information for decision making and support to agriculture. Through the study results, it is recommended to improve the national database to fill the data gap and to pilot interventions to reduce air pollution in the agricultural sector while reducing poverty and food insecurity.

Lao Media Contact Person/s:

Bounmee Maokhamphiou, Outreach Specialist - [email protected]

Vilaylack Khounvisith, National Communication Consultant - [email protected]