Quantification of an overlooked water resource in the tropical rainfed lowlands using RapidEye satellite data: A case of farm ponds and the potential gross value for smallholder production in southern Laos

•A farm pond inventory & total volume via remote sensing methods was conducted for the first time in Southern Laos•Ponds were overlooked in favour of groundwater for agricultural consumption•Many ponds were built as a by-product of road construction with little design•Substantial household economic gains can be made through better use & management of ponds