Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Search
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Campaigns
    • Ban Highly Hazardous Pesticides
    • Protect Our Children
    • Women Rise Up
    • Agroecology In Action
    • No Land, No Life
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Media Release
    • Features
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sign Our Petition
    • Subscribe
    • Join our Events
Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Campaigns
    • Ban Highly Hazardous Pesticides
    • Protect Our Children
    • Women Rise Up
    • Agroecology In Action
    • No Land, No Life
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Media Release
    • Features
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sign Our Petition
    • Subscribe
    • Join our Events
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Campaigns
    • Ban Highly Hazardous Pesticides
    • Protect Our Children
    • Women Rise Up
    • Agroecology In Action
    • No Land, No Life
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Media Release
    • Features
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sign Our Petition
    • Subscribe
    • Join our Events
Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Campaigns
    • Ban Highly Hazardous Pesticides
    • Protect Our Children
    • Women Rise Up
    • Agroecology In Action
    • No Land, No Life
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Media Release
    • Features
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sign Our Petition
    • Subscribe
    • Join our Events

Journey to Agroecology: Khaimouk Thammavong, Laos

by PAN Asia Pacific
March 8, 2024
in Feature
Journey to Agroecology: Khaimouk Thammavong, Laos
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In Khungvieng Village in Laos, a 29-year-old Lao Luom woman, Ms. Khaimouk Thammavong, has embarked on a remarkable journey in agroecology. For three years, she has been practicing integrated farming. She cultivates a modest 0.2 hectares of ancestral land, where she practices a sustainable approach that nurtures both the land and the community.

She boldly decided to avoid chemical pesticides after witnessing their detrimental effects. A pivotal moment was when her cousin suffered from severe pesticide poisoning and experienced chronic headaches, dizziness, and vomiting. She became determined to protect her health and the environment. There, her journey towards agroecology began.

After she got married and integrated with her husband’s family, who were members of an organic group, Khaimouk learned the techniques of organic farming and attended workshops organized by the Sustainable Agriculture & Environment Development Association (SAEDA). With this newfound knowledge and determination, she tackled the challenges of transitioning to agroecology which include seed conservation and pest management.

Khaimouk emphasizes biodiversity and soil fertility in her agroecological practices. She eschews chemical pesticides in favour of bio-pesticides and diligently cares for her farm to prevent pests and diseases. Additionally, she integrates livestock and utilizes their dung to create organic fertilizer.

The benefits of Khaimouk’s practices extend beyond her farm. Certified organic produce yields higher prices at the market, which allowed her to save costs and improve her livelihood. She typically earns USD 2,000 to 3,000 yearly for selling produce twice a week. Furthermore, her family’s health has improved. They are now free from the illnesses associated with chemical farming.

Khaimouk takes pride in her farm’s biodiversity, which has been nurtured over years of organic farming. Traditional crop varieties such as coriander, garlic, and maize thrive alongside commercial crops and are resilient to changing weather patterns.

As a woman, Khaimouk finds empowerment in agroecology. It challenges gender inequalities. It allows her to participate fully in decision-making and control her life. Moreover, agroecology fosters community involvement which strengthens local food systems and preserves traditional knowledge.

Khaimouk emphasizes the importance of education, awareness, and collaboration in sustaining and further developing agroecological farming. She calls for fostering partnerships between farmers and scientists and promoting sustainable food systems.###

Women In Agroecology: Towards Pesticide-Free Communities is a continuing storytelling initiative of PAN Asia Pacific and its partners to document stories of rural women who are survivors of pesticide poisoning and/or making the transition to agroecology.

Our contributing partners for the second installation: Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram (SHISUK), Bangladesh; Serikat Perempuan Indonesia (SERUNI); Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association (SAEDA), Laos; and Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment in Development (CGFED), Vietnam

Tags: Women in AgroecologyWomen Rise Up
ShareTweetPin
Previous Post

Indomitable Spirit of Perseverance: Pabitra Rani Das, Bangladesh

Next Post

A Farmer’s Dilemma: Le Thi Khuyen, Vietnam

Next Post
A Farmer’s Dilemma: Le Thi Khuyen, Vietnam

A Farmer’s Dilemma: Le Thi Khuyen, Vietnam

Discussion about this post

No Result
View All Result

Recent Posts

  • Parties to the Stockholm Convention agree to phase out the Highly Toxic Pesticide Chlorpyrifos
  • On Earth Day, a New Report Reveals Safer Pest Management To Replace Chlorpyrifos
  • PAN Asia Pacific Launches Groundbreaking Report on Pesticide Residue Impacts in South and Southeast Asia
  • Peasants rise for land! Intensify peasant struggle against imperialist plunder, war, and militarism!
  • Landless Voices: Land and Climate Change

Categories

  • Announcement
  • Blog
  • Concept Note
  • Declaration
  • Feature
  • Media
  • Policy Advocacy
  • Publication
  • Uncategorized
  • Update
  • Video
  • Webinar

Our Campaigns

Ban Highly Hazardous Pesticides

Pesticides are a major health and environmental threat that must be eliminated
READ MORE

Protect Our Children

How children are impacted by pesticides and how we can protect them
READ MORE

Agroecology In Action

The movement for an alternative to chemical-based, corporate agriculture
READ MORE

No Land, No Life

Communities fighting back against land and resource grabbing
READ MORE

Women Rise Up

Rural women assert their rights to to health, safe environment and sustainable livelihoods.
READ MORE

Archives

Get Involved

  • Donate
  • Sign Petition
  • Subscribe
  • Join our Events

Connect with our Social Networks

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Networks and Partnerships

Pesticide Action
Network International

Asian Rural
Women's Coalition

International People's
Agroecology Movements

Coalition of Agricultural
Workers International

Contact

Mailing Address:
48,  Persiaran Mutiara 1, Pusat Komersial Bandar Mutiara, 14120 Simpang Ampat, Penang, Malaysia

Telephone: +604 5022337  

Email: info@panap.net

Copyright © 2020 · PANAP · All Rights Reserved.

Logo

[ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.