This report seeks to provide useful input into efforts by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as it seeks to refine its programmatic approach to rural development and rural poverty reduction in the Lao PDR, as part of its process of preparing a new ‘country strategic opportunity paper’. The particular focus of this report is mandated to be in areas of upland agricultural development, under three major topics: 1. Approach to upland agricultural development, land allocation and the focal site programme, stabilization of shifting cultivation, opium eradication and development of sustainable alternative livelihoods to the rural poor; 2. Availability of agricultural technologies and processes for their further development, refinement and adaptation in IFAD project areas; 3. Agricultural extension and dissemination support services and processes.