Panel Discussion of Local Producers.

Starch Conference Convenes in Laos: Driving Innovation and Sustainability in the Lao Starch Industry

The lush landscapes of Laos served as the backdrop for the much-anticipated annual event, the Starch Value Chain Asia 2024, which took place from 27th – 28th February in Vientiane. This premier event, organised by the Center for Management and Technology (CMT), sponsored by Winrock International and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and further supported by CIAT/NAFRI, brought together over 100 starch producers, leading experts, industry professionals, policymakers and stakeholders from around the world, to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the starch sector.

Chairman Director General, Department of Agriculture, MAF, Mr Bounchanh Kombounyasith.	“USDA, Regional Agricultural Attaché, Maria Rakhovskaya”

“This 12th Starch Value Chain Asia, the very first to take place in the Lao PDR coincided with the Lao PDR assuming ASEAN Summit 2024 and has been a perfect opportunity, to promote the country’s potential in cassava production, as well as added value opportunities for the sector in joint partnerships and investments with international buyers, equipment suppliers and research institutes from over 20 countries participating in the event. The event promoted the adoption of sustainable and responsible farming and processing to preserve the environment and sharing the most up to date models adopted from around the world. It is critical that we aim to give back more than we take from Mother Nature and our joint aim is to support a successful, sustainable and environmentally friendly sector”, said Alexandre Dahan, the Project Director of the USDA-funded CLEAN project, which has been focused on building the capacity of Lao private sector partners to meet global demand for high-quality agricultural products.
Laos, with its rich agricultural heritage and growing prominence in the international cassava sector, provided an ideal and much lauded setting, for this international conference. Participants engaged in robust and jointly constructive discussion and shared valuable insights, as well as taking advantage of key networking opportunities enjoyed amidst the scenic beauty of this Southeast Asian nation. Hosting the cassava conference in Laos was seen to be highly beneficial for both Lao and international participants, due to Laos being one of the top cassava-producing countries globally.  The success of the event as well as resulting partnerships and knowledge sharing has been highlighted in the feedback both during and following the event.

A visit to Cassava Multiplication Center, NAFRI.

With cassava emerging as a vital commodity in the global starch market, the conference aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration towards sustainable practices, technological advancements, and market insights. The delegates delved into a range of topics, including:
•   Market Trends and Analysis: examining current market dynamics, demand-supply trends and emerging opportunities for cassava starch.
•   Technological Innovations with support from the USDA-funded Winrock International, Thailand based, RAIN Project showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovations driving efficiency, quality improvement and sustainability across the cassava value chain.
•   Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: discussing regulatory challenges, trade barriers, and policy interventions crucial for promoting a conducive environment for cassava starch production and trade.
•   Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Addressing environmental concerns, resource management strategies and sustainable practices to ensure the long-term viability of cassava cultivation and processing.
•   Value Addition and Product Diversification: exploring value addition strategies, product innovation, and diversification to enhance the competitiveness of cassava-derived products in the global market.
The conference featured keynote remarks from the Director of the Agriculture Department Mr Bounchanh Kombounyasith and Mme Inpeng Samountry President of the Lao Cassava Association, in addition to presentations, technical sessions, networking opportunities and exhibitions that showcased the latest products, services and technologies in the international cassava starch industry. The event highlighted the panel discussions of Lao producers, including AIDC, Sky Vision and KT Agricultural Development, focused on the challenges and opportunities for trading, processing, and exporting dried chips and starch to regional markets from the Lao PDR.
On 29th February 2024, the delegates visited the National Agricultural and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) to engage in the use of multiplication tunnels to replicate cassava stems. Participants observed firsthand how replication tunnels are constructed and maintained to ensure optimal growing conditions for cassava.
The delegates also visited the KT Starch Processing Factory and exchanged knowledge on the standards of cassava starch processing in Lao PDR.
“We are thrilled that through our USDA supported CLEAN Project, Lao producers of cassava have been improving their agricultural practices and have exported over 217 USD millions of cassava in the last 3 years” stated Dr Maria Rakhovskaya, Regional Agricultural Attaché of USDA in Bangkok.
Overall, the aim of organising this cassava conference in Laos has been to support local producers and traders to integrate with the international starch markets and enable the enhancement of productivity, sustainability, efficiency and processing transformation for value addition and compliance with market demand and requirements.
Specifically, Laos aims to extend the production season to supply raw materials for year-round starch processing, increase the value to the sector, comply with international standards to establish trust with high-value markets and position Lao PDR as a high quality, compliant supplier of cassava internationally.

Group photo of the delegates from over 20 countries.	A visit to KT Starch Processing Factory.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update March 8, 2024)