ABOUT SAF

SAF - Sustainable Agriculture Forum

SAF is a grassroots civil society based organization with a primary aim to alleviate poverty and promote food security in Lao PDR. SAF opened it’s doors in 1991, breaking ground and trends by introducing innovative gender inclusive community participatory environmentally friendly alternatives to agriculture and community development practices in Lao PDR —it was a first of it’s kind in Lao, a recognized trailblazer. Presently SAF consists of 23 member organizations, mainly international NGOs. The people participating in SAF activities are mainly farmers & the Lao development extension workers employed by international NGOs based in Lao PDR. Its' members take an active participatory approach in the planning and execution of SAF programs, while projects are monitored by SAF's board members & advisors with additional quality assurance conducted by independent consultants.

On average SAF trains approximately 6000 farmers yearly, who are now enjoying not only the health benefits, but also the income benefits of practicing SAF's innovative sustainable agriculture methods and approaches.

Networking is the heart of SAF. Under the CUSO organizational umbrella, SAF collaborates with organizations, working across South East Asia to promote and develop a sustainable agriculture network linking itself to organizations and individuals needing and wanting a better, healthier, more cost efficient, socially responsible, environmentally friendly alternative. The main regional networks of SAF are SEARSOLIN, IIRR, ANGOC, ARA (Philippines), PAN.ap, SEACON (Malaysia), AsiaDHRRA, RRAFA, BIOTHAI, and Alternative Agriculture Associations of the Northeast of Thailand, VACVINA in Vietnam. Please visit our p artners page for more information.

SAF is a collective organization which depends as much on it's member and partner's expertise and input as it does on it's 3 permanent Lao staff, who have dedicated themselves both personally and professionally to promoting sustainable agriculture. Each one is an accomplished farmer, testing and implementing sustainable agriculture methods in their own backyards, on their own farms. These three don't only work it and teach it, they live it.

- Mr.Khammalounla Lexayavong:

*SAF Coordinator/ Project manager - Sustainable agriculture expert/ trainer

- Graduated with a degree in livestock production from Ecole Royale Agro-Sylvo Pastoral (ERASP) in 1973.

- Worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry from 1973-1995 as an agricultural technician and extension worker

- Joined SAF in 1995 as coordinator, organizing various training and exchange workshops on topics relating to SA and rural development for SAF members, district and provincial level government staff, and farmers based in SAF project target areas.