Concentrating on the improvement of basic infrastructure and legal instruments, especially production standards and human resource development, is necessary for the Lao PDR to ensure that organic production meets safety and competitive standards, a meeting was told.  

Agriculture officials, organic farmers, and representatives of development partners took part in the 5th annual Lao Organic Forum in Vientiane on Jun 15-16 to discuss challenges related to organic agriculture, focusing on practical ways to develop pending aspects of organic agriculture including the availability of finance and improvements to logistics.

Organic farming development over recent years has continued to encounter a number of restrains and challenges.

Production infrastructure in the country remains vulnerable, agricultural production is small in scale and individually oriented and as a result, organic production is not competitive qualitatively or quantitatively, though the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bounkhouang Khambounheuang said that Lao PDR has a number of advantages regarding clean agricultural production, as have natural advantages – pristine soil, water and environment, but our greatest challenge is how we can sustain what we have.

Mr Bounkhouang noted that challenges are facing all three types of organic farmers: those farming in upper, middle and lower parts of the river. This has restrained the development of organic agriculture from reaching its possible pace in both terms of quantity and quality. 

Henrique Pacini, Economic Affairs Officer of UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - noted that continuing to develop agriculture is crucial, as this sector has strong linkages to society and poverty alleviation in Laos.

Agriculture is the main component of the economy in the Lao PDR. It is responsible for about 51% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Across the country, there are almost 200 organic farmers’ groups including 10 large scale ones, and 13 organic farming companies.  In addition, one enterprise, one project and two centres are operating organic farming businesses in the country.

As the countries face economic development and health style changes, organic agriculture markets are growing everywhere in the Americas, Africa and Asia.

Organic Forum was initiated by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Product Promotion and Development to promote the exchange of ideas and lessons of all sectors involved in promoting organic agriculture and promoting the grouping of farmers and entrepreneurs to promote organic agriculture.

The first Organic Forum was held in Vientiane Capital in 2011, the second was held in Luang Prabang, the third and forth ones were held in Vientiane Capital for two consecutive years.     

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL News Agency

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