Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Organic Agriculture Sector of the Lao PDR

The document identifies the organic agriculture sector in Lao PDR as inherently environmentally friendly but underdeveloped due to non-tariff barriers like certification. While it offers benefits such as enhanced soil fertility, significant growth could lead to negative impacts including deforestation and increased carbon emissions from transport. The author recommends that the government implement formal certification processes and draft regulations for food safety and land-use management to support the sector's expansion into international markets.

• The organic agriculture sector in Lao PDR is currently underdeveloped, with production failing to meet demand and growth hindered by non-tariff barriers, specifically certification.
• Organic farming generally provides environmental benefits such as improved soil fertility and ecological management, but rapid expansion poses risks of deforestation, encroachment into protected areas, and higher carbon emissions from transportation.
• To improve international competitiveness and manage environmental risks, the Government of Lao PDR should establish a formal organic certification process and draft laws regarding organic agriculture, food safety, and land-use changes.

APA

Manivong,, P. (2008). Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Organic Agriculture Sector of the Lao PDR. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-organic-agriculture-sector-lao-pdr

Chicago

Manivong,, Phengkhouane. Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Organic Agriculture Sector of the Lao PDR. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2008. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-organic-agriculture-sector-lao-pdr.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Manivong, |first1=Phengkhouane |title=Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Organic Agriculture Sector of the Lao PDR |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=23 January 2008 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-organic-agriculture-sector-lao-pdr |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{manivong2008environmental, author = {Manivong,, Phengkhouane}, title = {{Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Organic Agriculture Sector of the Lao PDR}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2008}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/environmental-impacts-trade-liberalization-organic-agriculture-sector-lao-pdr}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }