Agriculture expo bolsters hopes for crop yields, trade

The first Lao Agri Expo opened in Vientiane on Monday, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry using the event to showcase sustainable agricultural practices and modern technologies, with a view to boosting production and increasing exports.
The expo, which runs from December 16-20 at Lao-ITECC, will also feature networking sessions to build closer relationships between investors, agribusinesses, and the government.
The event supports the government’s efforts to ensure national food security and meet the goals of the Agriculture and Forestry and Rural Development Plan for 2021-2025.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Assoc. Prof. Dr Linkham Douangsavanh, opened the expo.
Dr Linkham said the ministry aims to strengthen agricultural production in order to minimise imports and preserve foreign currency reserves, and foster market-oriented agricultural production and processing capabilities to develop value-added export products that will strengthen foreign currency earnings.

Prime MinisterSonexay Siphandone on Monday attend the Lao Agri Expo in Vientiane.

The ministry is continuing to support Lao farmers to embrace cutting-edge techniques and technologies, while fostering the development of high-quality plant and animal breeds that can compete in international markets.
Dr Linkham said the Lao Agri Expo is a significant milestone in the nation’s development journey. The event not only showcases agricultural achievements but also represents progress in the historical, political, economic, and socio-cultural spheres.
The expo is a testament to Laos’ remarkable advancement and unwavering commitment to sustainable growth, he added.
To ensure fulfilment of the agriculture sector’s goals and objectives with a pioneering spirit, the minister called upon Party and state organisations at both the central and local levels, and all development partners, to promote sustainable agricultural production through integrated farming and animal husbandry, creating added value from land use, and improving agricultural infrastructure.
This will enhance production efficiency while ensuring proper management and protection of watersheds, streams, and water sources, Dr Linkham said.
These efforts will help reduce vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, ultimately supporting the government’s goal to maintain growth of the agriculture sector at no less than 2.6 percent annually.
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s assessment of the first nine months of this year, the agriculture and forestry sector has demonstrated remarkable progress, achieving a growth rate of 4.1 percent and contributing 18.9 percent to national GDP.
This surpasses the National Assembly’s target growth rate of 2.6 percent and comes close to reaching the target GDP contribution of 20.8 percent.
Agricultural production forecasts for the full year include 3.6 million tons of paddy rice.
Overall food crop production is projected to reach 2.61 million tons, surpassing the planned target of 2.46 million tons by 6 percent.
Some 526,300 tons of meat, egg and fish have been produced, representing 95 percent of the total 2024 target of 554,000 tons.
“We are confident of meeting our year-end target,” Dr Linkham said.
Commercial crop cultivation has also demonstrated impressive results, with an estimated output of 9.71 million tons, comprising 99 percent of an ambitious 9.75-million-ton target for 2024.
The livestock sector also continues to thrive, with 2,387 livestock and aquatic animal farms currently housing more than 6.12 million livestock.
The value of agriculture and forestry exports exceeded US$1,214 million in the first nine months of this year, surpassing the approved plan of US$1,200 million by 1 percent.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 17, 2024)