IN the heart of Savannakhet, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), a quiet agricultural revolution is taking root. A pioneering project is empowering local farmers to transform everyday farm waste into affordable, organic hydroponic nutrients, breaking barriers and boosting sustainability in the process.
Backed by the Laguna, Philippines-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) through the Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions or GRAINS grant, this initiative is a game-changer for a region where hydroponic farming was once dependent on costly imported solutions.
Hydroponics, with its promise of water savings, higher yields, and faster crop cycles, had already caught the attention of Lao PDR farmers. But the catch was the steep price of nutrients, often shipped from Thailand or Vietnam.Dr. Viengvilaiphone Botthoulath and her team saw an opportunity in what others saw as waste.
Using agricultural leftovers—rice washing, banana peels, vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, and fish waste—they've crafted a probiotic-rich nutrient solution that is both cheap and eco-friendly.The secret lies in lactic acid bacteria, also called LAB, a probiotic culture that ferments waste into a potent, organic fertilizer.
Trials show this innovation can entirely replace commercial fertilizers for crops like celery and spring onions. Even for nutrient-hungry lettuce, blending LAB probiotics with half the usual chemicals cuts costs by 50-70 percent, slashing dependency on pricey imports and harmful synthetics. "Dependency on imported fertilizers burdens farmers with costs, shipping fees, and health risks," says Botthoulath.
The project doesn't just stop at production—it educates. In a 2025 hands-on workshop, 30 farmers mastered the technique, armed with fermentation kits to replicate the process at home. Over 85 percent found it easy to apply—and they're eager to scale up.The benefits ripple beyond hydroponics.
Livestock farmers report bigger cassava yields, better compost, and poultry houses with less ammonia odor. "We feel more confident about our produce's safety," says Sivilay Soutthixaiyalath, a hydroponic grower.
Instructional videos spreading on social media are further multiplying the impact, reaching farmers who could not attend the training. "This is about more than just nutrients," Botthoulath emphasizes. "It is a commitment to sustainability, equity, and resilience for smallholder farmers." With its multiple applications and low-cost, science-backed approach, this probiotic innovation marks a significant step toward a more circular and resilient agricultural ecosystem in Lao PDR.