S. Korea backs irrigation technology training centre for Laos

Irrigation technology in Laos will be upgraded and the efficiency of irrigation-related projects will be enhanced through training programmes offered at an irrigation technology training centre.
 A Record of Discussion on the project was recently signed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Laos.

The location and layout plan of the Irrigation Technology Centre location.

 The discussion focused on the establishment of the Irrigation Technology Training Centre (ITTC) in Laos, which was done through correspondence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project cost is estimated at US$4.75 million. The centre aims to expand educational opportunities in the field of irrigation technology, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of irrigation projects, arrange a platform to enhance irrigated agriculture technologies, and enhance the operational capability of irrigated agriculture education systems.
 To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the project will consist of five key components, namely construction of a new irrigation technology training centre, provision of training and experimental equipment, joint research and development of Irrigation Technology training and certification system, joint operation and management, and agricultural sector policy and technical consulting.
 The ITTC project will be implemented from 2021 to 2025 and the training centre will be built in Dongmakkhai village, Xaythany district, Vientiane.
 The MAFRA designated the Korea Rural Community Corporation as the Implementing Agency of the ITTC Project, and the Korea Rural Community Corporation selected Korea Consultants International (KCI)-Saman Corporation-Asin C&T Consortium as the ITTC project management consultants and signed a contract last Wednesday.
 The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has designated its Department of Irrigation as the implementing agency to carry out the ITTC Project with the Korea Rural Community Corporation.
 Director General of the Department of Irrigation, Mr Bounkham Sydavong, said the ITTC Project is expected to contribute to technology standardisation and certification through technology development and education on irrigation technology to improve agricultural productivity in Laos.
 According to the project implementation schedule, the KCI-Saman-ASIN consortium plans to start and dispatch a project team within the next month.

By Advertorial Desk
  (Latest Update November 9, 2021)