Sustainably intensifying smallholder farming systems on sandy soils is critical to the development of livelihoods in the Mekong region of Cambodia and Laos. Scientists Philp et al. recently reckoned that forages could intensify livestock production in rainfed lowland rice farming systems. Varieties must be adapted to both flooding and drought. Furthermore, soil acidity, low soil fertility, drought and the continual removal of nutrients in harvested forage must be carefully managed.