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Library Lao Plantation Policy: Prospects for Change

Lao Plantation Policy: Prospects for Change

Lao Plantation Policy: Prospects for Change

Resource information

Date of publication
December 2020
Resource Language
ISBN / Resource ID
LP-midp002937

Policies to promote tree plantations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have been developed since independence to support national socio-economic and environmental goals, and in response to domestic and international markets. The effectiveness of these policies has been variable, and the resulting plantation wood value chains are poorly developed due to contradictory and confusing laws and regulations with inconsistent application and high transaction costs. Consequently, there has been limited tree plantation investment, and few investments have realized the anticipated benefits. Renewed interest in plantations from the government, investors and other sectors in Laos has prompted policy reviews and recognition of the need for new policy settings. We reviewed the development of plantation policies in Laos and assessed policy effectiveness and barriers to policy options. Through document analysis, interviews with key stakeholders and actors, stakeholder forums, and field research, we found that smarter regulation, and facilitating value-chain partnerships and knowledge sharing, can motivate smallholders and industry investors in plantations, and increase community-level benefits and financial returns to the Government and private sector. These results are discussed in the context of current international developments in plantation policy and the convergence in related policy processes in Laos.

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Authors and Publishers

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s)

Smith, HilaryKanowski, PeterKeenan, Rodney J.Phimmavong, Somvang

Corporate Author(s)
Geographical focus