German grant to bolster sustainable agriculture

Germany has granted more than 20 billion kip (US$1.8 million) to fund a four-year sustainable and livelihood development project in Xieng Khuang and Vientiane provinces.
The grant was provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Germany.
A Memorandum of Understanding on the project was signed online by ADRA Country Director, Ms Gill Grolimund; Deputy Director of the Xieng Khuang provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department, Mr Somsamone Phalichanh; and Director of the Vientiane provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department, Mr Som-ok Norchaleun.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Deputy Governor of Vientiane province, Mr Phouvong Bounsou, said “This project is very much in line with government strategies at both the local and national levels.”
“It also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals of ‘Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns’ and ‘Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts’,” he added.
The Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood Initiatives project aims to promote Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and climate friendly agriculture by strengthening local civic institutions through GAP inspector training, certification, application, and policy engagement.
The project aims to improve the livelihoods of farmers through agribusiness activities and build capacity through implementing partners via various skills training opportunities and field practices.
ADRA Country Director Ms Gill Grolimund said the Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood Initiatives project is a collaboration of and belongs to all partners.
The project will collaborate with district and provincial Agriculture and Forestry offices, other government partners, and the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association, to implement the project and support 52 inclusive farmer organisations in six districts of Xieng Khuang province and four districts of Vientiane province.
While the project is good news for Laos, its implementation coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency Laos.
Registered in July 1992, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency has carried out more than 120 projects across 13 provinces of Laos in key sectors such as agriculture and livelihoods, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, tobacco control, education, and emergency management.
Deputy Director of the provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department, Mr Somsamone Phalichanh, and the Deputy Governor of Xieng Khuang province, Mr Bua-ngern Houmxayaphom, also attended the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the project.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 25, 2022)