Vientiane Capital, 13 March 2025 the Steering Committee Meeting for "The Project for Enhancement of Livelihood Resilience in Rural Areas (LRRA)" was held in Vientiane Capital. This significant initiative, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), aims to strengthen rural livelihoods through climate-resilient agriculture and infrastructure development.  

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Soulaphone Inthavong , Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation at MAF with co-chairmanship of  Mr. Takuya Uo, Second Secretary in the Embassy of Japan to Lao PDR and Mr. Chanthalath Pongmala , Assistant FAO Representative in Lao PDR brought together key stakeholders and esteemed representatives from Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay Provinces, as well as other distinguished guests and participants.  

In his opening remarks, Dr. Soulaphone Inthavong emphasized the alignment of the project with national development priorities, stating, "This project is vital for promoting climate-adaptive agricultural practices and developing essential infrastructure to improve rural living conditions. Today’s discussions are an opportunity to ensure that the project meets community needs while advancing our broader development goals." 

Mr. Chanthalath Pongmala highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing Lao PDR's vulnerabilities to climate change, natural disasters, and economic challenges. He stated, *"Despite significant recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, Lao PDR continues to face risks from annual natural disasters and economic challenges exacerbated by global conflicts and climate change. The LRRA project represents a critical step forward in building resilience and ensuring food security for rural households."*  

Mr. Takuya Uo also stressed the LRRA Project will accomplish its goals by formulating and implementing disaster response plans, as well as developing agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation system improvements. “As a strategic partner of Laos for 70 years, Japan will continue to contribute to enhancing agriculture sector in Laos through various supports”.

the meeting discussed and shared findings from baseline and needs assessment surveys conducted in the project's 48 target villages across Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces. These surveys provide valuable insights into current conditions and community needs, which will guide the project's implementation. The project team expressed optimism about the project's potential impact, noting, "The LRRA project can generate sustainable improvements in rural household incomes and livelihoods while contributing to poverty reduction and food security."  

The main subject for the discussion was the revision of project indicators in the Logical Framework. Given the Baseline and Need Assessment survey results in 48 villages and comments from the International Data Specialist, the indicators should be revised to be more achievable that align closely with the farmers' needs. Thus, the LRRA project team aims to achieve at least 15 % improvement of the resilience index of target households and communities using FAO RIMA, 20 % improvement of the household income from agriculture. In addition, the LRRA detailed workplan, activities, and project implementing partners were presented. During the meeting, participants engaged in productive discussions regarding these topics, result in a unanimous agreement to revise the indicators with applause.

The LRRA project represents a steadfast commitment by FAO, MAF, and the Representative of the Embassy of Japan to support rural communities in Lao PDR. By fostering resilience against climate impacts and economic challenges, this initiative paves the way for a more sustainable and secure future for rural households.  

For more information, please contact:

•Yuno Ito, Agricultural Technical Support Specialist ([email protected] )

•Vilaylack Khounvisith, National Communication Consultant ([email protected])