This research assesses Participatory Action Research (PAR) through the Integrated Upland Agricultural Research Project (IUARP) in Luang Prabang province, Laos. The IUARP is designed to produce alternatives to shifting cultivation for smallholder farmers. Through interviews, observations, and a farmer database I analyzed who participates in the project, who benefits, and the level of participation developed between the project administrators and farmers. Village politics, farmer socio-economic status, village and land location, and gender affect the participation process. Village politics is the most important factor undermining PAR goals. In the IUARP the participation objective is functional with collaborative participation. Farmers are gaining material benefits and knowledge about a variety of agricultural technologies. PAR has the potential to alleviate poverty but it runs the risk of reinforcing social inequalities.