HHRC

Activities of Haddokkeo Horticulture Research Center (HHRC) in the Periurban Vegetable Project

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Objectives

The most recent census on population figure out that the urban population of the Lao PDR is expected to increase from 781753 in 1995 to more than 3 millions in the year 2025, at that time more than half will reside in big cities. After study done by INCO-DC program of the European Commission, the figures showed that many cities particularly Vientiane is expected to boom in the near future besetting with nearly insurmountable problems such as employment for fairly educated migrants from rural areas, proper disposal of an abundance of refuse from households, commerce and industry by safe means and sufficient, supply of cheap but nutritious food rich in vitamins and minerals to feed the population of the expanding urban centers.

Small and medium sized farm enterprises (SMEs) in cities confront with constraints such as access to quality seed, appropriately advanced technology, and reliable marketing system. In the Lao PDR almost vegetable seed is hybrid and imported relatively at high price. The institution, who deals with vegetable research and development exerts efforts to do better to help farmers to upgrade their quality of production and life, but still need to step further to do so. Under umbrella of PUVeP, with cooperation between partners such TUM, CIRAD, XUCA, IAS, and BUSECORP, HHRC has developed new varieties, technologies in production, and harmonized measure to control insects by using beneficial organisms and bio-pesticides, appropriate water management for dry and rainy season. Enrichment of vegetable germplasm is also considered.

The project will be a facilitator to improved management of vegetable production, sound urban agro-ecosystem, increased efficiency of resource utilization. Expected figures resulting from the project will be year-round supply of clean and affordable vegetables for urban population and food processing plants.

The general objectives

• To supply local, urban population with year-round healthy vegetables
• To provide work and additional income to urban people
• To facilitate small- and medium-sized urban and peri-urban farm enterprises access to market by developing socially, economically and ecologically sustainable vegetable production and marketing systems.

The direct goals

• A database on the impact and potential of (peri-)urban vegetable production, consumption and marketing
• At least 10% increase in yields through the availability of improved genetic material at experimental scale
• Reduction in mineral fertilizer consumption by 50% for inorganic nitrogen and 75% for inorganic phosphorus and potassium through the use of organic fertilizers at experimental scale
• Reduction in chemical insecticide application by 50% through the use of IPM technology at experimental scale
• At least 10% increase in yield during droughts and reduction in water consumption and soil erosion by at least 50% through the use of drip irrigation at experimental scale
• At least 10% in yield during the dry season through the use of high bed systems at experimental scale
• Formulation of an Urban Agriculture Development Plan by the local government units
• Formation of local trainer pools
• Trial adoption of at least two technologies at the farmers’ level.

Activities

HHRC is a Center assigned for being responsible for improving vegetable production over the country. The main role of the Center is to develop high yielding variety, quality seed, advance technology, and introduce species of interest, environmentally sound production systems. To accomplish its mandates the Center has to strengthen multi-disciplinarily. As partner of PUVeP, HHRC has undertaken its proper activities as below:

• Socio-economic survey,
• Crop improvement and diversification,
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM),
• Water management.

Haddokkeo Horticulture Research Center (HHRC) carried out project activities in the following four different workpackages (click for more information):

	Economic, sociological and anthropological situation of periurban vegetable production, consumption and marketing in Vientiane
	Crop improvement
	Integrated pest and disease management
	Water management

Click here to see:

	Results of HHRC
	Conclusion of HHRC
	Technology Implementation Plan of HHRC
	Publications, posters and presentations of HHRC
	HHRC Homepage
	Email to HHRC

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August 21, 2001 by by Robert J. Holmer