Xayabouly authorities visit a hillside in Kaenthao district where structures are being implanted to prevent landslips. A similar earth reinforcement is planned in Botaen district. The visit aimed to spur construction of the embankments before the rainy season peaks and groundd becomes unstable. Work on the hillside reinforcement in Kaenthao district is now 91 percent complete, running for a distance of 590 metres.   --Photo Pathetlao

Officials from the Lao Front for National Development and the Sanamxay district branch of the Lao Front in Attapeu province last week give textbooks, pencils, rulers, sports jerseys, and volleyballs, footballs and basketballs worth a total of 15 million kip to Donebokmaysengchan village primary school.   --Photo Vientiane Mai

President of DM Group Sole Co., Ltd., Mrs Doungta Matmanisone, and her staff on Friday donate biofertiliser and vegetable seeds to farmers in Donepadaek village, Nongbok district, Khammuan province, to help them increase crop yields.                                 --Photo Pasaxon

A group of 18 farmers from Nosay and Pakguang villages in Pakngum district, Vientiane, complete a five-day training course on farming cooperatives. The course, which ended last Friday, was held at the Lao-Korean Agricultural Technical Service and Rural Development Centre (LKARNC) to build farming capacity and promote green, sustainable growth. The closing ceremony was chaired by the Head of the LKARNC, Mr Lienxay Bounmanivanh, and Country Director of the Saemaul Foundation in Laos, Moon Sunghye. Mr Lienxay said the government encourages the formation of cooperatives through the provision of technical and other support to improve rural livelihoods and boost people’s incomes. Supported financially by the Saemaul Foundation, the course taught participants about the regulations governing cooperatives, fund management, and community leadership.