It has relatively buoyant urban-based economies, creating increasing demand for animal-sourced foods, including from regional smallholder livestock production that is in a promising transition stage yet remains inefficient. The molasses feed blockThe use of feed blocks as a supplement to livestock grazing was first recorded in the 1930s. Simple to store, transport and use, feed blocks proved effective for a slow, sustained release of nutrients where grazing wasn’t sufficient. "It would be tempting to wholly embrace such an easily manageable solution, but boosting cattle production comes with consequences." Smallholder farmers in places like Laos need another approach and, once again, promise resides in the humble but upgraded molasses nutrient block.