The Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have signed a new project agreement and kick-off the project to enhance the livelihood resilience of rural communities in Lao People's Democratic Republic. The signing ceremony was witnessed by His Excellency Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The project, titled "Enhancement of Livelihood Resilience in Rural Areas," builds on the success of the previous phase, "The project for the Assistance for Smallholders and Socially Vulnerable to Preventing Spread of the COVID-19 in Lao PDR," which was implemented from April 2021 to November 2022, with funding from the Government of Japan.

During the first phase, FAO and the Government of Lao PDR worked together to support vulnerable smallholder farmers and local authorities in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay Provinces. The project focused on raising COVID-19 risk awareness, strengthening local capacities to manage related risks, supporting the most vulnerable and COVID-19 affected smallholder farmers to restore agricultural production and livelihoods, and facilitating the transformation towards more resilient food systems.

"The first phase of the project laid a strong foundation for our continued collaboration to empower smallholder farmers, strengthen value chains, and promote sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices," said Kyung-Mee Kim, FAO Representative to Lao People's Democratic Republic. "We are confident that this new project will further enhance the livelihood resilience of rural communities in Lao PDR and contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector."

The new project will build on the lessons learned and the strong partnership established during the first phase. It aims to continue empowering smallholder farmers, strengthening value chains, and promoting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices to improve the food security and nutrition of the rural population.

"The Government of Lao PDR is committed to working closely with FAO to combat poverty, ensure food security, and build the resilience of rural communities," said Dr. Boundeth Southavilay, Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. "This new project is a testament to our strong partnership and our shared vision for the development of the agricultural sector in Lao PDR."

The project will be implemented in various districts within Luang Prabang and Oudomxay Provinces, targeting the most vulnerable and COVID-19 affected smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth.

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