Publications

Written by Mekong Institute

Recent research on the controversial topic of contract farming indicate that contract farming may be considered as an effective risk management system for smallholder farmers, enhancing their accessibility to farm inputs, ensuring the more stable prices for produce, and ultimately generating higher incomes to contract farmers. Similarly, even with very few studies of contract farming being carried out in Cambodia, the result show that contract farmers can generate higher incomes when bounding in the contract. However, the numbers of rice contract farmers have increasingly exited from the contract in the last five years.

If contract farming agreement generates higher incomes to contract farmers, why do they exit from the contract? This study aims to assess whether contract farming improve smallholder farmers' incomes and the challenges these farmers face. The study puts forth a set of recommendations on how to improve the rice contract farming model in Cambodia.

The study combines both quantitative and qualitative data sources and includes a comprehensive literature review and information obtained from interviews with concerned individuals through one-on-one sessions, focus group discussions and household surveys.

Results of the contract farming studies in Southeast Asia showed that it is not a group or individual, the oral or written contract per se which structure the outcome, but rather how it is practiced in a given context. In Cambodia, the rice contract farming arrangement has been operated through both verbal and written agreements with NGOs and private companies, respectively.

There was significant different in the mean of gross incomes between rice contract and non-contract farmers. Rice contract farmers have exited from the contract on the one hand regarding two main factors that include the payment which is not according to the predetermine schedule and the using of quality control against farmers. On the other hand, the rice contract farmers have exited from the contract, perhaps, because of no significant difference between engaging and not engaging in the contract. The exiting contract arrangements need to be improved and adherence to the contract guidelines from parties involve need to be enhanced. The study recommended the arrangement of contract farming should involve three parties that include the contractor, smallholder farmers, and local authority.

The contract farming arrangement should be simple and easy to understand, the contract should encourage mutual trust and respect from both parties, the contract should be flexible and negotiable, the contract should clearly state the responsibilities of both parties, and the payment should be made to farmers when the produce is delivered/received.

Written by Mekong Institute

Cambodia is one nation that is most vulnerable to climate variability and change. The effects of climate change– if as severe as predicted – may erode efforts to alleviate poverty and food security of farmers. While climate change vulnerability assessments are considered as a principal vehicle for informing the need for adaptation, there have been few studies on climate change vulnerability at the community level in Cambodia, where these effects are often the hardest. This study aims to address this knowledge gap through a vulnerability assessment study at the grassroots level.

The study seeks to assess vulnerability levels by examining this at the household level, their exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacities to respond to climate variability and change – particularly drought. Qualitative and quantitative data was used in the study, with information from both primary and secondary sources. One hundred and eighty villagers were involved in the household survey while six participants were involved in the in-depth interviews (Key Informant Interviews).

The study found that Peang Lvea Commune is vulnerable to climate change variability. Most households in Peang Lvea Commune (86.3 per cent) are vulnerable to climate variability – particularly drought –due to a low degree of exposure, medium sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity. They have a low exposure degree because they have never experienced any hazards besides of drought, and drought does not frequently occur in the commune, for example, households only maximally experienced drought for three years since 2005 to 2012. The community has a medium degree of sensitivity to climate variability. Households distribute most of the family labor to the agricultural sector, particular rice production, and source of income generation is also dependent on this climate sensitive sector. In addition, the community has a relatively low ability to adapt to environmental changes. Rural households have insufficient water for agricultural production and domestic consumption, one crop planting habit, low income, lack networking with neighbors and villagers in the commune.

Hence, given that there are five capacities for households to respond to drought hazards, only human capital is the medium while physical, natural, financial, and social capital, is low. Though the commune is not often exposed to climate related hazards like drought, the study indicates that the commune is vulnerable to climate variability due to its medium sensitivity and low adaptive capacity to climate variability.

While the exposure cannot be addressed in the short term, the way to reduce the vulnerability is to decrease sensitivity, and increase adaptive capacity. Improving local livelihoods through livelihood diversification would decrease sensitivity to climate variability. To increase adaptive capacity, adaptive strategies such as development and rehabilitation of reservoirs, irrigation system and water storage facilities, increase of water efficiency in agriculture and promotion of farmers' saving groups or cooperatives is needed.

Written by Mekong Institute

The study “A value chain analysis of coffee in Quang Tri Province” was carried out in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam from 27 March to 9 April with aims to provide understanding about the coffee value chain with regards to stakeholders engaging in the value chain and their relationship, product flow, information and knowledge flow, cost and profit patterns of value chain actors as well as factors that affect the chain such as input and logistic service, infrastructure and technology. Additionally, socio-economic factors (i.e. gender, ethnicity and poverty) are also addressed. The study serves to provide information based on which the interventions for the project “Capacity Development for a More Inclusive and Equitable Growth in the Greater Mekong Sub-region Project” funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods. Structured interviews were conducted with value chain actors (i.e. exporters, processors, collectors and farmers) on such issues as cost and profit information, productivity, resource access, marketing, policy and regulations as well as problems and constraints. In-depth interview was carried out with the supporters to understand their functions, roles and responsibilities. Focal group discussion was used to understand about the role of gender in coffee production, such as division of labor, livelihood strategies, financial decision-making and constraints and issues in the coffee production of the different social groups.

While up to 95 percent of coffee produced in Vietnam is Robusta, coffee in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province is mostly Arabica (Catimor variety) and a small amount of Liberica coffee. The weather in the district is favorable for the coffee variety because it rains in April – when coffee plants are in blossom. This is the reason why farmers can still produce coffee while there is no irrigation system in the area. As harvest season falls from late September – December when there is limited sunshine, coffee cherry here undergo wet processing – which is more costly but better in quality control compared with dry processing method. Coffee in Huong Hoa also follows 4C and UTZ standards. Most coffee green bean is exported to EU market (e.g. Germany, Netherland, etc). Some goes to America and Japan market. Coffee is mainly exported in form of green bean in 60kg sack. Coffee sector receives considerable supports from government because it is in line with the poverty alleviation for ethnic minority in Vietnam while many of coffee producers in Huong Hoa district belong to the ethnic minority and the poor group.

However, coffee sector in Huong Hoa district is faced with a number of constraints. First, the yield of coffee is rather low (only 10 tons of cherry/ hectare on average according to 2012 annual report of Huong Hoa District Department of Agriculture, while it can reach to 20 tons of cherry/hectare under proper cultivation techniques). One of the reasons is that about half of the coffee area is old (around 15-18 years) and need to be replaced. Especially, the coffee yield of Bru-Van Kieu farmers is even much lower due to the fact that they cannot afford to buy as much fertilizer as recommended. These are also the reasons hampering coffee quality. In terms of volume, the demand of processors is more than what producers can supply. On the one hand, this leads to high depreciation cost of the processor as their processing machines are only used during the harvesting season. On the other hand, the farmers have no incentive to produce good quality coffee cherry because processors would buy whatever quality to feed their machine. It is reported that farmers pick high percentage of green cherry than being allowed (5 percent of green cherry at maximum). They also put the coffee cherry into water to make it heavier. Fortunately, the situation is getting much better with the initiative of Inter-department Committee for Tax and Environment Regulation in Agricultural Trade by the Huong Hoa District’s People Committee.

Inaddition, there is weak linkage among different actors in the value chain to share information, commitments and risks. Farmers lack of knowledge on export quality requirements and commitments to quality standard. Processors also reported that they lack of knowledge on quality testing. Meanwhile, both actors have little information on market price and customers’ preferences in export market. They also have limited voice in price determination. As Arabica Catimor coffee in Vietnam is mainly for exports, the sector depends largely on international market. In the downturn of international coffee market, the coffee exporters in Quang Tri province also have to face with a lot of challenges.

In this regards, it will require different tailor-made capacity building packages and awareness raising activities for all actors in the value chain – farmers, collectors, processors and exporters - together with the government officers who regulate the sectors. For example, capacity building on production techniques (especially using certified seedlings and organic fertilizer) and farmer group formation targets to farmers; capacity building on product development, entrepreneurship and SMEs cluster for processors and exporters; capacity building on GAP, GMP and facilitation skills for government officers. Structure learning visit on contract farming may be a cross-cut topic for all actors as means of both knowledge and awareness raising. In so doing, the productivity and quality of coffee producers and processors will be enhanced. Meanwhile, market system is better regulated when the capacity of the officers who involved in local economic development is increased. In this manner, the value chain actors will be able to integrate more in regional and global value chain, increase their income and contribute to local and regional economic development.

Written by Mekong Institute

The two-day Roundtable Meeting marks the end of Phase 3 of the Mekong Institute – New Zealand Ambassador Scholarship (MINZAS) Program. MINZAS is a collaborative program between the Mekong Institute and the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok aiming to provide professional development opportunities for master's degree students from CLMT countries through a structured training program and research assignment under the guidance of experienced regional and international experts. An important part of the scholarship program is to provide the scholars a training course on Research Methodology.

The training course on Research Methodology was held from March 4 – 28, 2013 at the MI Residential Center in Khon Kaen Province, Northeast of Thailand. At the end of the four-week training course, the participants developed a research proposal that incorporated the knowledge and skills acquired during the training. The proposal was to be conducted upon their return to each of their respective countries based on the agreed methodology and timeframe.

The twelve research proposals are: (1) The Effects of Rice Contract Farming on Smallholder Farmers' Incomes in Cambodia: A Case Study in Toul Sala Commune in Barsedth District, Kampong Spue Province, (2) Factors Contributing to the Success of Agricultural Cooperative Farms, Case Study: Ye-Nant-Tha Agricultural Co-operative Farm, Mataya Township, Mandalay Region, Myanmar, (3) Analysis of Pomelo Value Chains in the Yangon Region, Myanmar, (4) Value Chain Analysis of Mandarins in Selected Areas of Myanmar, (5) Rice Value Chain in S'ang District, Kandal Province, Cambodia, (6) Value Chain Analysis of Sesame in Magway Township, Myanmar, (7) Rural Household Vulnerability Assessment Study to Climate Variability: The Case of Peang Lvea Commune, Odongk District, Kampong Spue Province, Cambodia, (8) Financial Development, Trade Openness and Economic Growth in the CLV Countries, (9) The Effects of Trade Liberalization on Myanmar's Foreign Trade with Selected Asian Countries, (10) Impact of FDI on the Economic Growth of Lao PDR, (11) The Impact of Household Savings on the Development of Rural Livelihood: Evidence from Luang Prabang, Northern Laos; and (12) Business Development and Market Expansion of Women Entrepreneurs: Case Study of SMEs Community in Chiang Rai Province.

The MINZAS Roundtable Meeting provided a platform for the scholars to present and share the research results. The meeting also created a platform for deliberation of the results and validated the findings among experts. Two subject matter experts were invited to present an overview on the research topics in the context of the GMS. Home advisors of the twelve students were also invited to provide comments and feedbacks for further improvement of the research reports.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute (MI) organized an eight-day workshop on "Orientation and Basic Training Course Management and Facilitation Skills" held in October 15-22, 2013 at MI's residential training center in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Nine Young Greater Mekong Subregion Professionals (YGMSP) and new MI staff participated in the learning program. The workshop aimed to build-up capacity in managing training programs and other events for the YGMSPs and new staff at MI in facilitation skills in facilitating group meetings, in creating and enabling environment for participatory decision-making, and strategic processes involving multi-stakeholders.

During the eight-day workshop, the program was designed and delivered using participatory approaches. The participants went through three progressive stages which are: 1 - "Learn to do", where participants were provided with information on basic concepts and tools to be employed; 2 - "Do to learn", where in participants learned to apply newly-acquired knowledge and skills in their work assignments with proper guidance from facilitators; and 3 - "Share to learn", where participants were given opportunities to present their group work, and share their experiences with their co-participants and facilitators. In addition, the participants were given the opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge and skills first-hand during the Structured Learning Visit (SLV) at Sumsung Village in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Upon the completion of the workshop, YGMS participants were assigned to work in different departments in MI for 6 months; during which it is expected that participants would gain knowledge as well as enhance their skills and experiences.
The overall assessment of the workshop showed that most of the participants were quite satisfied (4.39 out of 5) with the learning program and orientation provided. From the evaluation, the participants expressed that sessions related to facilitation skills are found to be most relevant and useful to the nature of the work of MI. Other topics the participants thought are beneficial included ‘Finance and Budgeting', ‘Monitoring and Evaluation', ‘GMS Culture and Society', ‘MI information and Working Environment, and ‘Integration and Cooperation of the GMS.'

In the light of areas to be improved and follow-up activities which ought to be included in the program are that feedbacks on their fieldwork reports as well as the groups' presentation skills from staff or experts should be given to participants. Also, it was recommended that during the preparation for the field trip, some groups struggled during the task allocation. In this regard, it can be interpreted that the participants should be supervised more closely by the staff. Aside from the aforementioned, one of the participants expressed his desire in that participants should be given feedback individually in order that the received comments will be use to indenfify one's weakness and made improvements on those determined area(s).

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by New Zealand Aid Programme to conduct a four-week annual GMS Youth Camp on "Modern Farming Systems" from 1 to 27 July 2013 for 34 students and 4 teachers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV). The program aimed to establish knowledge and skills sharing networks among selected agriculture universities in CLMV countries. It also aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of regional cooperation and integration to support the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Specifically, the Youth Camp aims to: (a) provide students of the CLMV countries with experiential learning opportunities in the whole supply chain; (b) promote modern farming systems for universities which can be adapted to the specific country's conditions and can be used for agricultural curriculum improvement and design of internship program; (c) provide the students opportunities to learn about new technologies, products, and know-how in agribusiness management; (d) and foster relationships and develop regional network among CLMV youths for enhanced regional cooperation, integration, and future collaboration.

There were four host companies contributed to the design and delivery of the practicum from 4 to 23 July 2013, namely: Betagro Group, Mitr Phol Group, SF Khon Kaen, and Swift Company.

The program was designed and delivered by using modular training approach where participants went through three progressive stages: a) "Learn to do" – the participants were provided knowledge on the basic concepts of modern farming systems via the introductory session at the MI Residential Training Center in Khon Kaen province as well as exposure to KKU's modern technology agriculture demonstration farm; b) "Do to learn" – Participants were provided practical learning experiences with their respective host companies related to poultry in Khon Kaen province, sugarcane in Chaiyaphum province and vegetable in Nakhon Pathom, Petchaboon and Rajchaburi provinces, with the company's supervisors; and c) "Share to learn" – participants got an opportunity to present their group works/findings and share their learning experiences and lessons learned during the reflection and way forward session from 26 to 27 July 2013. Additionally, they also shared their gained knowledge and experiences to other students and teachers at their respective universities upon their return.

The results of the evaluation showed that the Youth Camp on "Modern Farming Systems" was successful both in terms of program design and content, and overall organization and management. Students and teachers found that all knowledge and skills were useful to them. Mekong Institute staff, host company supervisors, and farm owners were very friendly and supportive during their stay.

However, there were some rooms for improvement. Language barrier remained the key challenge for their learning. Some of students have limited English skills to communicate effectively as well as some of the company staff and farmers. Hence, the recruitment process should be strengthened to ensure student's qualification especially on English and Thai language skills. Secondly, large number of students recommended to extend the period of internship from 3 weeks to 1 to 2 months.

Written by Mekong Institute

The training course on "Strengthening Coordinated Cross Border Systems in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam - CLMV" was conducted on 2 to 11 September 2013 at the Mekong Institute Residential Training Center, Khon Kaen, Thailand. The course was co-sponsored by Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand and Singapore Cooperation Program, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. Course participants were mid-level civil servants who are involved in cross-border procedure such as officers from customs, immigration and sanitary and phyto-sanitary departments of CLMV countries.

The general objectives of the course were to enhance the participants' appreciation of the urgency to facilitate Asian Single Window (ASW) and improve their knowledge and skills on coordinated cross border management in an inter-active and shared learning environment.

Twenty-five participants from relevant ministries and government agencies in Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the training. The participants gave an over-all rating of 3.93 (well attained) on the achievement of the training objectives. According to the participants, the training responded to their expectations, experiences and employed effective training delivery methods.

The project was delivered in four modules to equip participants with basic concepts on Asian Economic Cooperation, Cross-Border Transportation and Single Window and encourage appreciating the cross-border coordination to enhance the more systematic service delivery to the national and cross-border economic development.

Module-1: The first session of Module 1 allowed trainers to prepare the groundwork, break the ice and give the overview of the training workshop and adult learning principles. The second session provided the overview for the importance of coordinated cross border management in the context of the ASEAN Single Window system and Cross Border Transport Agreement, as well as the Best Practices of Cross-Border Management from Singapore.

Module-2: This module facilitated enhancing knowledge and competencies towards efficient, professional and ethical border management. Such as understanding of the functions of immigration controls, the threats that they face and the importance of travel and identity documents in the control process, the efforts in better management of visa application case loads, streamlining processes, eliminate time-consuming administrative functions, improving service standards and combating frauds.

Modul-3: This module exposed participants to the GMS and ASEAN Customs Cooperation Framework and explored ways to simplify and harmonize cross-border customs regulations and procedures.

Module-4: Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) Measures, focused on the application of systems and regulations to ensure safety in food, animal and plant health in the cross border movement of food and agricultural commodities.

Learning methodologies included theoretical inputs such as lectures and presentations, as well as inter-active exercises, such as, small group discussions, case studies, videos, group discussions, field visits. The overall program evaluation show's that participants were satisfied with the learning content and methodologies. Project outcomes included knowledge and understanding of all components and mechanisms relating to cross-border procedure management, best practice from Singapore and Thailand on immigration and custom policy, and establishing good working relationship among participants from other Mekong countries. (Part IV Ways Forward)

Towards the end of the training, the participants' defined areas of priority actions that they would want to carry out in their respective countries, as well as recommendations common actions at the GMS-level and for future similar training.

Recommendations for future Cross border procedure training were:

• Diverse, intense and in-depth examples on the linkage or simplification between customs and another inter-agency.
• How Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) sector can get involved in single window and Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA)?
• Practical suggestions on how to prepare for 2015 AEC and Asian Single Window for all sectors involving in the cross-border issue, or in other words MI should include module/sessions facilitating technical learning.
• Show the benefit or income for Government from practicing Asian Single Window (ASW) System.
• Technical learning on how to link National Single Window to ASEAN Single window
• Knowledge and understanding skills development in detecting of fraudulent documents
• MI to organize the structured learning visit (SLV) for GMS members to visit other ASEAN members to physically observe the best practice case study for better understanding and learning of the practical implantation of the process.
• Increase time for sharing more case studies on how SPS sector can be involved in the single window and CBTA?

Written by Mekong Institute

The three-year project (2012-14) on "Capacity Development Program for Integrating CLMV Economies into AEC" sponsored under the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme (NZAP) is being implemented by the Mekong Institute, Thailand.

The project aims to prepare the Mekong countries namely the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) for the successful integration of their economic systems into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. Among five components of the project, the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department of MI is tasked with the implementation of two components namely: (i) integrating CLMV's Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) into ASEAN and Global Value Chains and (ii) increasing capacity of public and private sectors' organizations in trade policy development, Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) negotiation and implementation.

In order to provide adequate information for the project inception report and resultsoriented M&E plan, a need assessment study was conducted in the CLMV countries. The aim was to identify the roles and responsibilities of the relevant stakeholders and assess their capacities and identify gaps to define capacity building needs for developing a capacity development plan and capacity building packages and strategies to respond to the needs within the framework of NZAP Project.

The assessment reveals that the prospect for consortia and SME clusters formation in the CLMV countries is potentially high, especially for products in handicraft and agro-based sector. However, the promotion of these activities is relatively weak, specifically in Myanmar and Cambodia, due to lack of knowledge and support services.

The assessment study observed that in the CLMV countries, although FTAs and bilateral agreements, mostly through ASEAN, have been concluded, their advantages have not yet been fully realized by export-oriented SMEs. The awareness of FTAs and related policies both among governments and private sectors is relatively low. Very few trainings or workshops on these issues have been conducted or if any, the SMEs participation seems to be quite limited.

The functionaries of SME and trade promotion agencies both in the government and private sector attend a range of capacity building programmes. The top level management deals with policy level issues and attends regional and internal events such as forums, seminar and dialogues whereas the mid level functionaries attends specific training on skill improvement, awareness, subject specific topics and training of trainers both within and outside the country. The top management level of private sector body (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) is mostly engaged policy advocacy forums. For the mid level functionaries, the types of training range from WTO, trade negotiations, AEC integration, trade fair and participation in trade exhibitions. It is noticed that there has been no specific training on FTAs or any training directed towards utilization of FTAs by SMEs.

Though a range of trainings either on SME development or Trade development has been attended by the practitioners, it was reported that the scope for applying those skills has been significantly low. The trainings in most cases do not reflect the roles and responsibilities of the functionaries mostly in case of mid and junior level functionaries.

Another, hurdle in the acquisition of skill and knowledge in trainings outside the country is the skill level which is not at par with participants from other countries in addition to low English language capabilities mostly among the junior level functionaries. Further, it was observed that most of the trainings attended abroad are advanced in nature and are not in consistent with the requirements of day to day functions of the organizations.

However, the trainings provided within projects which are implemented by the organizations and funded by donors are relevant since these are built in programmes to enhance capabilities of the implementing agencies. The study also identifies key organizations as focal point in the project countries. The role of the key organizations would be to coordinate all activities specific to their organizational mandate, assist in target participant recruitment and follow up action plan implementation and other assigned roles.

The importance of SME development through cluster approach is gaining ground as noticed in case of Vietnam and Cambodia however the knowledge is still limited particularly among the mid level and lower functionaries in all the CLMV countries.

With regard to FTAs, the knowledge seems to be limited particularly its utilization by SMEs. There is no systematic approach or attempt made in any of these countries to enhance utilization of FTAs by the SMEs.

The study acknowledges the importance to build capacities of the functionaries for SME cluster development and on enhancing utilization of FTAs by the SMEs. Since the role and functions of levels of functionaries are different, the study suggested specific capacity development packages for different level of functionaries and devise strategies to implement the two components of the project for the remaining two years of the project phase.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute organized a one-week training course on "Facilitation as Core Competency" from 22-26 April 2013 at MI's training center in Khon Kaen, Thailand. There are 31 participants from Mekong Institute and 1 participant from Hess Thailand Limited. This practical training emphasized on advanced facilitation skills including a) Designing and delivering "capacity development" program b) "working with and through partners" and c) Facilitate learning session.

The training course covered 6 modules: (i) Working with and through partners (ii) Capacity Development Needs Assessment of Project Partners; (iii) Integration of Capacity Development Needs Assessment (CDNA) Plan (iv) Designing Capacity Development Interventions and (v) Effective Presentation Skills and (VI) Integration of Capacity Development Approaches.

The Six Modules were designed and delivered by using participatory approached where participants went through three progressive stages of 1- "Learn to do", the participants were provided knowledge on basic concepts and tools to be employed; 2- "`Do to learn", participants apply newly –acquired knowledge and skill in their work assignment with proper guidance from facilitator; and 3- "Share to Learn", participants got opportunities to present their group work and share their experiences to co-participants and facilitators. In addition, the participants were given the opportunity to appreciate the acquired knowledge and skills in a real-life situation which considered strategic management as key to their success.

Written by Mekong Institute

Economic and social development in the GMS is ultimately dependent on capable human resources which possess the knowledge and skills to recognize and address the development challenges facing the region. In 2012, the MI and the New Zealand Embassy, Bangkok, launched the Mekong Institute – New Zealand Ambassador's Scholarship (MINZAS) Program, to help build a critical mass of human resources in the GMS capable of meeting current and emerging regional issues.

The MINZAS program provides a four-phase structured learning program conducted over a one-year program-cycle for master's-level students from CLMT countries undertaking research for thesis topics related to regional development. Through the MINZAS program, recipients receive research funding, skills-development training and exposure to regional subject-matter experts through forums and training sessions.

This comprehensive program assists scholarship recipients to improve their theses through improved analytical and documentation skills. The program also grants valuable exposure to MI's extensive public, academic and private sector networks.

From March 4 to 27, 2013, MI welcomed the second batch of MINZAS scholarship recipients to its headquarters in Khon Kaen for a training course on research methodology; the first of four program sections. In total, twelve CLMT scholarship recipients attended the training course (three from Cambodia, three from Lao PDR, five from Myanmar, and one from Thailand), which drew on the expertise and experience of MI program staff and regional experts from Khon Kaen and Kasetsart Universities.

During the research methodology training course, scholarship recipients underwent four modules emphasizing the development of academically sound research proposals and as well as new research techniques to assist in fieldwork research projects.

The results of the overall evaluation for the learning program detailed herein reveal that participants were, on the whole, satisfied with the program content, resource persons, recreational activities and training management and delivery.

The sessions of the program were rated as "useful" by participants, who indicated that the knowledge and skills acquired therein could (and would) be applied to their fieldwork research projects. Through the four-week intensive learning course, participants developed new friendships and established region-wide networks. Fostering such connections promotes regional cooperation and stands as a consistent indirect benefit of all of its training courses and programs.

Though the participants were highly satisfied with the learning program, several comments were provided which will help to improve the program for the next MINZAS batch. These comments touched on the limited time for topics/lessons, difficulties involving the English language, data analysis, group discussions, the use of concrete examples, and field visits.