HEPA (Human Ecology Practical Area) Farmer Field School (FFS) is a pioneering training dedicated to strengthen indigenous youth. HEPA FFS lies at the heart of the 6 inter-thematic networks action of Mekong Community Network Action for Ecological Trading (MECO-ECOTRA).
Overuse of resources and the lack of a caring attitude towards Human-Nature relationships in many sensitive watershed ecosystems have been the major causes leading to land desertification problems, gradual erosion of social traditions, and the losses of ecological biodiversity.
According to information from elder Xay Khu Zang, (interviewed on 29th December 2013) in 1995 the Laos government built a road from Bo He village to Long Lan village. In early 1996 the road was finished and then it was continued to Ka Sia village. When the road had gone across to the village, the leaders and the elders suggested opening a new dirt-road around village, to easily go around the village and extend the village later.
This dirt-road was used only for a short time, around one to two years.This was because there were not many people in the village and the road was not often used. Gradually, more and more wild plants grew on the road and some families who lived close to the road planted fruit trees: banana, star-apple, longan fruit trees, coffee and Teak. Some parts of the road were cleared to establish gardens. That resulted in the road not being usable. To travel conveniently in the village, villagers plan to reopen this road - please see details in the following news).
Some photos about the road (Source: Tran Dinh Phuong):
News
Sustainable Ecological Livelihood and Food Sovereignty 
