One of NAFRI's main responsibilities to collect and manage scientific agriculture and forestry information and knowledge in Laos. To this end, NAFRI with a number of partners has produced a range of knowledge management systems on different topics related to agriculture and natural resource management.

The current knowledge bases are currently on-line:

1. Lao Agriculture Database: 

The Lao Agriculture Database is a repository of Lao agriculture and natural resource management reports and documents in Laos. It includes research results, surveys, training and extension materials, working papers, as well as policy and strategy reports. The system is based on the FAO AGRIS System   which the global knowledge system for Agriculture Research Information. 

The LAD system is closely linked with Agrovoc which is the common thesaurus or dictionary used by FAO for agriculture and forestry terminology. It contains more than 15,000 agriculture related terms. NAFRI decided to translate the AGROVOC terms to help in the development of the LAD system as it will help Lao researchers better search and categorize the research being generated. In addition and at a wider level it will help to standardize the usage of Lao agriculture and forestry terms.

LAD: http://lad.nafri.org.la

Lao AGROVOC: http://lad.nafri.org.la/agrovoc/agrovoc_la.php

2. Lao Rice Knowledge Bank:

In collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute, the National Rice Research Programme has developed this knowlewdge bank to improve access to information on rice production. The Knowledge Bank focuses on ensuring up-to-date knowledge for extension workers and farmers on rice and rice-based cropping systems.

go to: http://nrrp.nafri.org.la

3. Knowledge Base on Conservation Agriculture:

The Knowledge base on conservation agriculture has been produced by the Open Resources on Conservation Agriculture for Development Project (ORCATAD) run by CIRAD, NAFRI funded by the EU. The knowledge base is focused on collecting best practices in the field of conservation agriculture. This knowledge base will serve different purposes through the use of ICTs. On the one hand it will be used to improve training and extension services for farmers and farmer groups and on the other hand it will also target at small and medium agro-based enterprises and intermediary business organizations.

Go to: http://orcatad-nafri.org.la/kb/index.php

4.  Information Sharing Mechanism on Plant Genetic Resources of Lao PDR:

The Mechanism is a network of institutions which conserve and/or use plant genetic resources in Lao PDR. Its overall objective is to share information related to plant genetic resources and, in particular, to the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) in Lao PDR.

Specifically it is conceived as a tool for: 



• Conserving the country's historical memory on PGRFA;
• 
Assisting decision-making processes on PGRFA in the country, including the identification of needs, the establishment of priorities, and the allocation of resources.

• Building stronger partnerships in PGRFA management among national stakeholders; 

• Increasing understanding about the status and dynamics of PGRFA.
• 
Meeting Lao's reporting obligations in international fora, such as the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the International Treaty on PGRFA. 



This Mechanism together with similar Mechanisms established in several countries around the world consitute the building blocks of a global network for PGRFA information exchange under the FAO Commission on Genetic Resoruces for Food and Agriculture