WB set to back Vientiane’s agricultural projects

The World Bank (WB) is committed to supporting agricultural and food projects in the capital city of Vientiane and the provinces of Laos to ensure that farmers are able to export their products to foreign markets.

The Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Mr Phoukhong Bannavong, presents a gift to the World Bank’s Agriculture and Food Practice Manager for the East Asia and Pacific Region, Ms Dina Umali-Deininger, during her visit to the Vientiane Administration Office on Thursday.

During a meeting with the Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Mr Phoukhong Bannavong, at his office on Thursday, a delegation from the World Bank, led by the Agriculture and Food Practice Manager for the East Asia and Pacific Region, Ms Dina Umali-Deininger, was provided an overall review of various WB-funded projects in Vientiane.
The delegation told the authorities of Vientiane that the World Bank is willing to support the implementation of its economic development plans with more efficient techniques to promote the livelihood of farmers in the capital and the provinces.
Mr Phoukhong told the visiting delegation that Vientiane’s economy is expected to grow by 4.36 percent by the end of this year, though the earlier target of 6.7 percent could not be attained because of the unstable condition of the global economy.
“GDP is projected to grow at about 58,412.26 billion kip, while the initial plan was 63,076 billion kip. The agricultural sector will grow at 3.78 percent, a decrease of 0.22 percent when compared to the year’s plan,” he said.
He told the delegation that the per capita GDP will reach 60.28 million kip or about US$5,525, while the initial plan was about US$6,426.
Mr Phoukhong said Vientiane has formed three main groups of producers in various target districts of the capital, comprising the producers of seedings, farmers growing rice for commercial purposes and livestock breeders.
“Through the implementation of the plan, local farmers gradually understand the concept of production procedures, from unique methods to advanced technology and innovations, with visible results and impressive outcomes,” he said.
Mr Phoukhong said the authorities in Vientiane will continue to inspect and provide technical advice to farmers in various districts of the capital so that they can achieve the targets set for the last six months of this year.
“On behalf of the Vientiane authority, we would also like to call on the World Bank to continuously support the implementation of various existing WB-funded projects to become more sustainable and model projects for other districts and provinces in Laos,” Mr Phoukhong said.
Vientiane is proficient in livestock breeding and fish farming in the Mekong and Nam Ngum rivers, and the World Bank may consider providing additional funds to local farmers so that they can explore the opportunity for exporting cattle to foreign markets, especially China, he said.
Ms Umali-Deininger said the rising prices of fuel and fertilisers can pose challenges for the agricultural sector of Laos, just as in other countries around the world.
“However, good agricultural practices that are not mainly dependent on chemical fertilisers will be a greater option for farmers to reduce production costs, and farmers of Laos, especially in Vientiane, will also make great use of the Laos-China Railway in terms of exporting products to more foreign markets, not only China,” she said.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 9, 2022)