Assoc. Prof. Vanthong Phengvichith

Talk title: Potential and Challenges for Cattle Exports from Lao PDR: Priorities for Sustainable Beef-Cattle Development

Dr. Vanthong Phengvichith received his PhD degree in Animal Nutrition and Management from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden, in 2007. In 2012, he was promoted to Deputy Director-General, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR, now as the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. He is currently a member of the Agricultural Science Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Presently, Dr. Vanthong has reached official retirement, but still serves as an academic consultant to NAFRI.

Dr. Vanthong has published more than 100 scientific papers in national and international journals, with research interests focusing on livestock production systems (Integrated Crop-Livestock Production Systems), animal nutrition, forage and pasture technologies, climate-resilient farming, upland research and development, and sustainable natural resource management. His work has made significant contributions to sustainable livestock development, rural livelihoods development, and climate-smart livestock production systems in tropical agriculture.

Building on the achievements of the implementation of collaborative research and development projects with national universities and research institutions in the country, as well as with regional and international universities and regional research institutions such as in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and other international research and development institutions such as CIAT, IWMI, CIRAD, CIFOR, ACIAR, and the Mekong Basin Animal Research Network (MEKARN) programme, Dr. Vanthong has coordinated and led numerous research and development projects for technology development and technology transfer targeting smallholder farmers as well as medium- and large-scale livestock enterprises throughout the country and region. The research and development results have led to an impact on the low cost of production inputs, increased income generation for farmers, enhanced climate resilience of farming systems, and sustainable farming systems.  

In addition, Dr. Vanthong has provided consultancy services for numerous development projects, such as rural development, hydro-power development, and livestock development projects. He has provided consultancy services on agricultural development works to improve livelihoods and the impact on people in different development projects, such as hydro-power development, mining, and other resettlement projects.

Recently, from 2020 to 2023, he has provided consultancy services to the ADB as the deputy team leader for the project design: ADBTA 54002-001 REG: Greater Mekong Subregion Cross-Border Livestock Health and Value Chains Improvement Project in Lao PDR.