Locally produced fertilizer was one of the low-input techniques promoted by RIFS to improve yields of subsistence farming practices.

Locally produced fertilizer was one of the low-input techniques promoted by RIFS to improve yields of subsistence farming practices.

History of PADETC

PADETC started life as the RIFS (Rice-based Integrated Farming System) Project back in 1980. The main focus of its work was in the area of food security for poor rural communities in the aftermath of the Vietnam war. As the RIFS project, Sombath Somphone and a four other development workers trained farmers, students, teachers, and agriculture extension workers in integrated farming and promoted use of low-input techniques such as organic fertilizers and green manure to improve existing subsistence practices. All these techniques were complemented with the provision of handbooks and training of development volunteers, especially women.

By 1992, the number of staff working in the RIFS Project had increased to eight people. Their work had expanded from improvement of agricultural techniques to support of bottom-up multi-sectoral rural development planning.

At the end of 1996, more than ten years after the RIFS project was started, PADETC was formally set up and recognized as an official training institution.

H.E. Mr. Bounnhang VORACHIT current Vice President of Lao PDR and former Prime Minister (center) and Sombath Somphone (left) visit the Quality Schools Program at Dongdok Kindergarten on Children's Day 2004.

H.E. Mr. Bounnhang VORACHIT current Vice President of Lao PDR and former Prime Minister (center) and Sombath Somphone (left) visit the Quality Schools Program at Dongdok Kindergarten on Children’s Day 2004.

PADETC, with its extensive grass-root development experience, began to streamline its work with human resource development for sustainable development and poverty reduction as its mandate.

PADETC has always emphasized eco-friendly technologies and micro-enterprises to enhance education and provide income generating activities:

  • by introducing fuel-efficient stoves that spare women hours of daily labor collecting wood;
  • by promoting locally produced organic fertilizer as an alternative to imported chemical fertilizers;
  • by devising new processing techniques and marketing strategies for small businesses such as organic mulberry tea and brown rice and sun-dried bananas, pineapples, and berries;
  • by initiating garbage recycling in the capital city; and
  • by organizing stimulating extracurricular programs for the youth.

Since then, PADETC has grown, both in size and quality. In 2013 it plays the role of facilitator, trainer, model-builder and advocator for poverty reduction and, more importantly, poverty prevention. Its programs are all interlinked and highly synergistic. Its number of employees now exceeds 50, assisted by hundreds of enthusiastic young Lao volunteers.

Through its diverse and mutually reinforcing activities and projects, PADETC has achieved significant, lasting impacts and outcomes.

PADETC has gained recognition for its work and has received several prestigious Lao, regional and international awards.

 

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