This exchange was held in collaboration with the Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN), Project SEVANA Southeast Asia, and Laos partners like RDA brought together young farmers, civil society actors, and community leaders from Thailand and Lao PDR to strengthen cross-border relationships, share experiences in sustainable agriculture, and reflect on food security challenges in the Mekong region. Discussions highlighted the evolving agricultural context in Laos, including pressures from monocropping, market-oriented production, land concessions, climate change, and external economic policies, as well as community-led responses such as agroecology, seed saving, integrated farming systems, women’s economic initiatives, and green markets. Participants emphasized the importance of collective organization, local knowledge, and youth engagement in building resilient food systems, while recognizing gaps between state-led development priorities and community-based approaches.

The exchange also generated concrete directions for future collaboration, including joint learning on agroecological techniques, seed sovereignty, community markets, and policy monitoring related to trade and plant variety protection. Networks such as the Alternative Agriculture Network and TOA are committed to deepening regional cooperation, supporting young farmers through training, seed grants, and exchange programs, and protecting local genetic resources. Overall, the dialogue reinforced that cross-border solidarity, intergenerational learning, and farmer-led innovation are essential foundations for sustainable livelihoods and food systems in the Mekong region, as captured in the shared reflection: “Without seeds, there are no people.”