At present, the livelihoods of many upland communities in Luang Prabang province in particular, northern Laos in general are facing challenges due to negative impacts from the market economy, commercial plantations such as rubber and high-tech application and abuse of chemical matters. Loss of land, depletion of natural resources, deeper dependence on the outside and other social and environmental implications are driving these communities into a dilemma. 

However, many other communities are well implementing solutions in stabilizing and improving their livelihoods, especially through the implementation of various types of agro-ecological farming such as in Long Lan. Therefore, the study of successful lessons in native eco- vegetable cultivation and market linkages in particular, natural resources management of Long lan in general will contribute to raising public awareness especially young farmers, officials and authorities at all levels of Laos regarding the value and solution of ecological farming, from which to learn and apply in a wider range.

The project on "Promoting agroecology farming for self-reliant livelihood of local upland farmers through documenting the case of native eco-vegetables of the Hmong community of Long Lan village, Luang Prabang district, Luang Prabang province" supported by ALiSEA is one amongst the above efforts of the CHESH Lao / SPERI.

This document provides information related to the process of agricultural transition of the Hmong ethnic group in Long Lan village from the traditional rotational cultivation to combining the cultivation of ecological vegetables on the basis of ethnic knowledge, specific landscapes and local native species with the aim to ensure the livelihood security.